1. Non-woven production enhancement developments Group work result Otaniemi 29.9.2010 Piira Lehtonen Vuorenpalo Sabel Puhakka Rintala Kotiaho

2. The main objective of FuBio is to establish, in Finland, a world-leading competence platform in the field of wood biorefinery R&D  Focus of FuBio: Novel value chains, in which wood is refined into new materials & chemicals  A competence platform comprises many attributes, like people, business concepts, processing technologies, R&D and testing facilities, networking, etc. Main objective of FuBio (unchanged) 2

3. Describe the refining chain (i.e. set of processes) from cellulose pulp to the selected product group (dissolution or partial dissolution of cellulose is a must) process 1, process 2, process 3, xx Generate a “light road map” of what must be done (bottlenecks) in order to make the selected refining chain ready for commercial production-scale Xx Identify the role of the new FuBio program in trying to remove these bottlenecks (Note: A SHOK programs is not removing all the hurdles) Xx In respect to the FuBio tasks (previous question), identify where the Forestcluster partners do not have competences (= cooperation needs) Xx Product group: Non Woven: production enhancement / related business possibilities 3

4. What limits the usage of viscose fiber? Strength Processability Water absorption Fiber dimensions enhancements Possibilities of bi-component fibers? Cellulosic based fiber coating technologies / binders that are environmentally sound We should take time and understand the current and future needs better What are the limiting factors of using products that are in the pipeline Nanowhiskers Long cellulose particle like “polymerstack” type of products Group work discussions Date Source: 4

5. Non dissolving products’ usability in current processes? Fiber based carrying surfaces? Non water soluble approaches What is between pulp and dissolution? Ways to use the product “in between” Different products need different fibers Flexibility and easy fiber modification as a competitive advance? Properties that compete and can replace synthetic fibers and cotton need to be developed Possible new non-woven technologies that overcome the deficiencies of viscose fiber Cheap solutions for bulk markets for dissolving pulp or viscose applications Cost out vs. Value in approach Group work discussions Date Source: 5

6. Replacement of harmful chemicals from non woven production New properties like anti bacterial fibers for certain markets Other industry applications that non woven Micro crystalline cellulose usage GE products as an example? Screens, semiconductors, colors with cellulose crystals MCC applications outside of current fields More energy efficient viscose fibers / or production to match Improved line speeds with improved products Mixture optimization possibilities for non woven Possibilities in thermal bonding Bicomponents / other solutions Cellulose acetate coatings Group work discussions Date Source: 6

7. There are huge amount of non woven production technologies The WP should aim at certain focused alternatives Value in and cost out are both possible targets for various WP’s Substitution economics approach to replace oil and cotton based alternatives Market potential is huge (Ahlstrom uses 8% currently) Enhanced fiber properties and functionalities seem to have interesting opportunities Summary of the work group Date Source: 7

8. Identifying the most important market possibilities in non woven applications Opportunity recognition Air laid, carded, spun bond, melt blown, wet laid: which is the most interesting market Fiber development options for better process ability or functionality Better strength, diversity in fiber properties, enhanced features (unique selling point development) New production technology development that matches / compensates the deficits Totally other uses, like GE usage of NCC Working projects on special applications to match with these identified needs Projects should be divided into cost out vs. value added Conclusions Date Source: 8 Planning process