FI20245842A1 - A fibrous monofilament comprising MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material and a manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A fibrous monofilament for use e.g., in textile applications is provided. The fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC). The MFC comprises or consists of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material. The fibrous monofilament further comprises a dispersing agent. Further, a fibrous material comprising the same as well as a method of manufacturing the fibrous monofilament are provided.

Description

A fibrous monofilament comprising MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material and a manufacturing method thereof

Technical field

This specification relates to a fibrous monofilament as well as to products comprising the same. Further, the specification relates to a method of manufacturing the fibrous monofilament.

Background

Despite its considerable environmental impact, the textile industry is growing fast. The textile industry is a massive contributor to pollution, including CO? emissions. Further, the availability of natural fiber resources is limited, and cotton cultivation has its own disadvantages. Recycling of textile fibers is one of the measures needed in reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry.

There is a continuous need for methods and products thereof relating to sustainable textiles that enable reducing the environmental burden caused by the textile industry.

Summary

N A sustainable fibrous monofilament for use, e.g., in textile applications is

N provided. Further, the production process of the fibrous monofilament 3 disclosed herein is an environmentally friendly one, utilizing mild conditions

Q and not employing any harmful substances. The solution according to this

I 30 disclosure provides a sustainable way for re-utilizing e.g., the textile waste a fibers as well as other cellulose-based waste raw material. 2

S According to an embodiment, a fibrous monofilament is provided. The fibrous

N monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC). The

MFC comprises or consists of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material. The fibrous monofilament further comprises a dispersing agent.

According to another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a fibrous monofilament is provided. The method comprises the following steps: (i) forming an agueous suspension comprising from 90 to 96 wt.% of water, and from 4 to 10 wt.% of dry matter including microfibrillar cellulose (MFC) and dispersing agent, the dry matter comprising at least 50 wt.% of MFC, the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, (ii) extruding the aqueous suspension into a monofilament, and (iii) drying the monofilament.

According to yet another embodiment, a fibrous material comprising the fibrous monofilament as disclosed herein is provided.

Detailed description

The solution is described in the following in more detail with reference to some embodiments, which shall not be regarded as limiting.

The features recited in the embodiments of the description and in the claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Plant materials are built up by a matrix formed by cellulose fibers also containing lignin and hemicelluloses. The cellulosic fibers that form such a matrix are fibril bundles which in turn consist of microfibrils. Through a

N fibrillation process the cellulose fibers are separated into a three-dimensional

N network of microfibrils with a large surface area. These entangled fibrils are 3 called microfibrillar cellulose (MFC). The width of entangled fibrils in MFC may

Q be from 50 nanometers to 2 micrometers and length or longitudinal dimension

I 30 may be from 100 nanometers to 500 micrometers, such as from 100 a nanometers to 200 micrometers. 2

S Within context of this disclosure, the MFC comprises or consists of MFC

R originating from cellulose-based waste raw material. The cellulose-based waste raw material may also be called cellulose-based circular raw material.

The cellulose-based waste raw material refers to any cellulose-based recycled material, such as recycled cardboard or recycled textile fiber. Thus, the MFC comprises or consists of cellulose that has been part of a cellulose-based product, such as cardboard or textile product. MFC may contain at least 50%

MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material. WWhen the MFC consists of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, 100% of the MFC is from recycled origin. For example, the MFC may contain from 50 to 100%, such as from 60 to 100%, from 70 to 100%, from 80 to 100% or from 90 to 100% MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material.

According to an embodiment, the MFC comprises or consists of MFC originating from recycled textile fiber. Recycled textile fiber refers to fiber recovered from (pre- and/or post-consumer) textile waste. The recycled textile fiber may be at least one of the following cellulose-based textile fibers: cotton, linen, hemp, viscose, lyocell, cupro, rayon, modal, acetate, SPINNOVA®. In an example, the recycled textile fiber is cotton-based denim fiber.

Prior to use in the methods and products according to this disclosure, the cellulose recovered from the cellulose-based waste raw material, such as cardboard or recycled textile fiber, is ground into microfibrillar cellulose.

Cellulose may be recovered from the cellulose-based waste raw material by any conventional means known within the art. For example, the MFC produced by grinding may have a length-weighted fiber length of from 0.05 to 0.2 mm, such as from 0.15 to 0.2 mm, when measured following standard ISO 16065- 2. The MFC may have a fiber width of from 12 to 25 um. Further, the MFC after grinding may have the amount fines from 95 to 99.9% (ISO fines) or 70-99%

N (Tappi fines). The ISO fines refer to the percentage of a fraction having particle

N size of below 200 um, whereas the Tappi fines refer to the percentage of a 3 fraction having particle size of below 100 um.

N

=E 30 The MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material may not a necessarily contain 100% cellulose, but it can contain up to 5% other fibers.

S When recycled textile fiber is used as the cellulose-based waste raw material, 3 the MFC can contain for example elastane originating from the textile waste. oo

Al

When the MFC comprises MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, the MFC may also comprise so-called natural MFC directly originating from any plant-based material. MFC used may contain up to 50% natural MFC. Plant-based raw material may be wood material or non-wood material. The wood material can be based on softwood tree, such as spruce, pine, fir, larch, Douglas-fir or hemlock, or on hardwood tree, such as birch, aspen, poplar, alder, eucalyptus or acacia, or on any mixture of above. The non-wood material may be as cotton, hemp, flax, sisal, jute, kenaf, bamboo, peat, or coconut. Non-wood based natural cellulose fibers may also be derived from agricultural residues, grasses, or other plant substances such as straw, leaves, bark, seeds, hulls, flowers, vegetables, or fruits. Woody plants have a good availability, small environmental burden and the quality of fiber is good.

Natural MFC may be produced from cellulose fibers using methods known within the art through high pressure, high temperature and high velocity impact homogenization, for instance. The homogenization process is used to delaminate or disintegrate the cell walls of the fibers and to liberate their sub- — structural fibrils and microfibrils. Enzymatic and/or mechanical pre-treatments of wood fibers may also be used.

In the present disclosure expressions “non-regenerated cellulose” or “natural cellulose” refer to cellulose or cellulose fibrils or fibers that have not undergone chemical or physical modification of their macromolecular structure. Non- regenerated MFC is substantially non-regenerated and consists mainly of crystalline structure of cellulose |. Cellulose | may have structures la and le.

Man-made cellulosic fibers commonly used in textile applications are regenerated and their crystalline structure is mainly other than cellulose |.

Conversion of cellulose | to cellulose II (or other forms, like cellulose III or

N cellulose IV) is irreversible. Thus, these forms are stable and cannot be

N converted back to cellulose I.

S

Q The term “fibrous monofilament” as used herein refers to a continuous length

I 30 of individual fibrils grouped and extending generally along the longitudinal a dimension of the cellulose monofilament. The fibrils interact chemically and/or

S mechanically in order to form a permanent monofilament structure. 3 Disintegration of fibrous monofilament yields only individual fibrils. The fibrous monofilament may comprise continuous length of several meters or kilometers.

Individual fibrils of the fibrous monofilament are mainly oriented along length of the fibrous monofilament. Term “monofilament” refers to a single strand filament produced by extruding a polymer suspension. Fibrous monofilament may also be called a monofilament fiber.

It is an aim of this disclosure to provide a novel and sustainable fibrous 5 monofilament. The fibrous monofilament can be used for producing fibrous materials, such as woven or knitted materials, non-woven materials or composites.

The fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt. % of microfibrillar cellulose.

The microfibrillar cellulose comprises or consists of microfibrillar cellulose originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, such as cardboard or recycled textile fiber. Further, the fibrous monofilament comprises a dispersing agent.

Further, a method of manufacturing a fibrous monofilament is provided. The method comprises forming an aqueous suspension, extruding the aqueous suspension into a monofilament and drying the monofilament. The aqueous suspension is extruded onto a solid surface.

The aqueous suspension comprises or consists of from 90 to 96 wt.% of water (based on the suspension weight) and from 4 to 10 wt.% of dry matter. The dry matter comprises microfibrillar cellulose (MFC) and dispersing agent. The

MFC comprises or consists of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material.

N The dry matter of the agueous suspension comprises at least 50 wt.% of MFC.

N Preferably, the amount of the MFC is from 50 to 95 wt.%. For example, the

S amount of the MFC in the dry matter of the agueous suspension may be from

S 60 to 95 wt.%, from 70 to 95 wt.%, from 80 to 95 wt.%, from 80 to 90 wt.%, or

I 30 from 80 to 85 wt.%. The amounts apply to the (dry) fibrous monofilament, as a well. 2 a The MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, such as

R cardboard or recycled textile fiber, may be non-regenerated (i.e., natural) and/or regenerated (i.e., man-made).

The dispersing agent is needed in the manufacturing process phase to improve separation of the MFC fibrils and to prevent their settling or clumping.

Dispersing agent may also have an effect on tensile strength of the fibrous monofilament. The dispersing agent can be any anionic hydrophilic polymer.

The dispersing agent may be any of the following: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC), methyl cellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MEHEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), ethyl cellulose (EC) and starch, or any combination thereof.

In an example, the dispersing agent is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and/or anionic polyacrylamide (aPAM). aPAM may also function as a rheology modifier.

According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is used in an amount of 0.5 to 25 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. For example, the amount of the dispersing agent may be from 5 to 25 wt.%, from 10 to 25 wt. %, from 13 to 20 wt.%, such as about 14 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous — suspension. The disclosed amounts apply to the (dry) fibrous monofilament, as well. Thus, the fibrous monofilament may comprise from 0.5 to 25 wt.% dispersing agent (of the dry weight of the fibrous monofilament).

The fibrous monofilament may further comprise additive(s). The additive(s) include strength additive(s), hydrophobic adhesive(s), pigment(s), crosslinking

N agent(s) and/or other modifier(s).

N

S Strength additive may be a dry strength agent and/or a wet strength agent.

N

I 30 Purpose of the dry strength agent is to improve dry strength of the fibrous a monofilament. Dry strength agents include for example polyacrylamide resin,

S starch, vegetable gum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol 3 (PVA), and latex. &

According to an embodiment, the amount of the dry strength agent, if present, is from 1 to 6 wt.%, such as from 2 to 5 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. For example, the amount of the dry strength agent may be about 3 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. The disclosed amounts apply to the (dry) fibrous monofilament, as well.

Purpose of the wet strength agent is to improve wet strength of the fibrous monofilament. Wet strength agents include for example cationic glyoxylated resin, polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin, polyamine- epichlorohydrin resin, ureaformaldehyde, and epoxide resin.

In an example, the wet strength agent is a polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin. PAE provides improved wet strength properties such as wet tenacity and elongation to the fibrous monofilament. PAE may also prevent shrinkage and improve wet abrasion resistance.

According to an embodiment, the amount of the wet strength agent, if present, is from 1 to 6 wt.%, such as from 2 to 5 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. For example, the amount of the wet strength agent may be about 3 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. The disclosed amounts apply to the (dry) fibrous monofilament, as well.

An example of a crosslinking agent is polyurethane. PAE may also be present as a crosslinking agent. According to an embodiment, the amount of the crosslinking agent, if present, is from 0.1 to 6 wt.%, such as from 2 to 5 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. For example, the amount of the crosslinking agent may be about 3 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous

N suspension. The disclosed amounts apply to the (dry) fibrous monofilament,

N as well.

S

Q Examples of hydrophobic adhesives include alkyl ketene dimer (AKD, an

I 30 alkaline or neutral sizing agent), alkenylsuccinic anhydride (ASA, sizing agent), a rosin (acidic sizing agent), natural wax, and modified sunflower-based 3 adhesive (MSOHO), or any combination thereof.

N

R In an example, AKD is used as the hydrophobic adhesive. AKD reduces the absorption properties of the fibrous monofilament. AKD may also increase strength of the fibrous monofilament. Amount of AKD, when used, may be from

0.5 to 10 wt.%, such as from 0.5 to 5 wt.% of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. The disclosed amounts apply to the (dry) fibrous monofilament, as well.

Additional modifier(s) may include for example rheology modifier(s) and plasticizer(s). For example, polyethylene oxide (PEO) may be utilized as a rheology modifier/plasticizer. These modifiers can be used for tailoring properties of the fibrous monofilament and/or the products manufactured thereof as appreciated by the skilled person.

The fibrous monofilament may further comprise amino-functional polymer component(s). Amino-functional polymer component refers to a polymer structure having a free amino group. Particularly, the amino-functional polymer component may have a free amino group that is available for reaction with an — epoxy-functional crosslinking agent. Amount of the amino-functional polymer component(s) may be from 0.5 to 20 wt.% of the (dry) fibrous monofilament or of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. Preferably the amino-functional polymer component is biobased. For example, the amino-functional polymer component may be polysaccharide-based, such as a cellulose derivative or chitosan. The cellulose derivative may be for example an amino-functionalized hydroxyethyl cellulose or an amino-functionalized hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Amino-functionalized hydroxyethyl cellulose and amino-functionalized hydroxypropyl cellulose are cellulose ethers wherein some of the hydroxyl groups in the repeating glucose units have been substituted by providing the cellulose backbone with a free amino group. Chitosan by its nature has free

N amino groups. Examples of non-biobased amino-functional polymer

N components include amino-terminated polyethylene oxide derivative and 3 amine-terminated polypropylene glycol derivative. Optionally, the fibrous

Q monofilament also comprises an epoxy-functional crosslinking agent. The

I 30 epoxy-functional crosslinking agent contains at least two epoxy groups. The a epoxy group is capable of reacting with the free amino group of the amino-

S functional polymer component. Amount of the epoxy-functional crosslinking 3 agent, if present, may be from 0.1 to 5.0 wt.% of the (dry) fibrous monofilament or of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. The epoxy-functional crosslinking agent may be based on diglycidyl ether chemistry. For example,

the epoxy-functional crosslinking agent mat be polyethylene glycol diclycidyl ether (PEGDGE).

Addition of amino-functional polymer component(s) and epoxy-functional crosslinking agent enables improvement of the mechanical properties, such as wet strength properties and elasticity/elongation of the fibrous monofilament.

Further, amino-functional polymer component plays a role in improving the dyeing properties of the fibrous monofilament. Monofilament properties, such as wet strength properties, elasticity/elongation and/or dyeing properties can be adjusted by tuning the ratio of the MFC, amino-functional polymer component and epoxy-functional crosslinking agent. Utilization of crosslinking reaction between the amino-functional polymer component and the epoxy- functional crosslinking agent enables adjustment of the monofilament properties in an aqueous reaction medium, without the need to use organic solvents or strong acids or bases.

When antimicrobial property is desired property of the fibrous monofilament, the fibrous monofilament may further comprise an antimicrobial agent.

Antimicrobial agent is an agent that is capable of killing microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) and/or inhibiting their growth. Preferably the antimicrobial agent is biobased. Amount of the antimicrobial agent may be from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the (dry) fibrous monofilament or of the dry matter of the aqueous suspension. The antimicrobial agent may be at least one selected from the following: polyphenol, resin acid, surfactant, polyanionic substance, antimicrobial peptide, fucoidan, lignin, chitosan, natural dye, willow bark

N extract, coffee extract and cyclodextrin. Preferably, the antimicrobial agent is

N at least one selected from polyphenol, resin acid, surfactant and lignin. Tannic 3 acid is a representative of polyphenols. Resin acids may also be called

Q coniferous resin acids.

T 30 a When aim is to provide a fibrous monofilament with lowered water absorptivity,

S the fibrous monofilament may comprise a natural wax, a thermoplast, a sizing 3 agent, or natural rubber, or any combination thereof as a hydrophobic component. Thermoplast or thermoplastic (material) refers to a polymeric material that becomes pliable or moldable at certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Examples of thermoplasts suitable for the fibrous monofilament disclosed herein include for example polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adibate) (PBSA). Further, thermoplastic natural rubber, which refers to a thermoplastic material produced on blending thermoplastic with natural rubber, may also be considered. Still further, PBAT blended with polylactic acid (PLA) may be used.

Waxes include a diverse class of lipophilic organic compounds that are malleable solids near ambient temperatures. Waxes include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points above about 40 degrees C. Natural waxes refer to waxes produced by plants or animals. Natural waxes also include modified plant and animal waxes. Examples of suitable natural waxes include for example beeswax, carnauba wax and rice bran wax. Sizing agents are substances that can be used in textile industry or papermaking to tune the absorption properties and wear characteristics of the products. An example of sizing agents suitable for the fibrous monofilament disclosed herein is alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). Natural rubber consists of polymers of isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. The amount of the natural wax, thermoplast, sizing agent, and/or natural rubber may be from 0.1 to 15 wt.% of the (dry) fibrous monofilament or of the dry matter of the agueous suspension.

Preferably such a monofilament also comprises a crosslinking agent, such as

PAE. The amount of the crosslinking agent may be from 1 to 6 wt.% of the (dry) fibrous monofilament or of the dry matter of the agueous suspension. In manufacturing phase the natural wax, sizing agent and/or natural rubber is added to the suspension as a water-based emulsion (water-based dispersion).

The manufacturing process includes directing the agueous suspension

N through a small nozzle (extruded), thereby aligning (orienting) the fibers well

N with the flow. The nozzle feeds the agueous suspension to a solid surface 3 which is followed by drying to obtain the fibrous monofilament.

N

I 30 Initial fibril orientation of the fibrous monofilament may be achieved during the a extrusion phase. A nozzle having an outer diameter smaller than or equal to

S the maximum fibril length of the fibers causes the fibrils to orientate 3 substantially in the longitudinal direction of the suspension exiting the nozzle.

Fibril orientation along the longitudinal direction of the fibrous monofilament provides strength to the filament.

Manufactured fibrous monofilament is continuous but it may be post- processed into shorter lengths by any of suitable methods known in the art.

Thickness of the fibrous monofilament may be affected at least in part by adapting manufacturing speed, aqueous suspension concentration and nozzle geometry. Chemical post-treatment, such as dyeing or introduction of a surface finishing agent is possible.

The manufacturing method disclosed herein is an environmentally friendly one, utilizing mild conditions and not employing any harmful substances. The method is free of organic solvents. The sole solvent used in the method is water.

The fibrous monofilament according to this disclosure may have a density of between 500 and 2000 kg/m3, for example between 1000 and 1700 kg/m? — such as about 1500 kg/m?.

Tenacity is a customary measure of strength of a fiber or yarn. It is usually defined as the ultimate (breaking) force of the fiber/yarn (in gram-force units) divided by the linear density. Tenacity is often expressed as cN/(d)tex. Linear density is a value expressing the fiber/yarn weight in grams per 1 000 meters of fiber/yarn (tex) or grams per 10 000 meters of fiber/yarn (dtex).

The fibrous monofilament according to this disclosure may have a linear density of from 1 to 10 dtex, when measured following standard ASTM 23822/D3822M-14 at RH 65% (+/- 2%) and temperature 20 degrees C (+/- 2

S degrees C).

S The fibrous monofilament according to this disclosure may have a (dry) & tenacity of at least 1.2 cN/dtex, preferably at least 1.5 cN/dtex or 1.7 cN/dtex,

I 30 or more preferably at least 2 cN/dtex, when measured following standard a ASTM 3822/D3822M-14 at RH 65% (+/- 2%) and temperature 20 degrees C 3 (+/- 2 degrees C).

N

R According to an embodiment, the fibrous monofilament is biobased and/or biodegradable. Biodegradability of a material means that greater than 90 % of the original material is converted into CO2, water and minerals by biological processes within 6 months.

The fibrous monofilament according to this disclosure finds use in fibrous materials, such as woven, knitted or non-woven materials or as composite materials. The fibrous monofilaments may be utilized for producing fiber or yarn for fibrous materials. The fibrous materials may be manufactured by using any methods known in the art. Exemplary uses of the fibrous materials include for example non-woven fabrics. Non-woven fabrics are sheet or web structures formed from fibers bonded together via mechanical, thermal or chemical treatment. The fibrous monofilament disclosed herein may be used for providing non-woven fabric for use e.g. in medical applications, such as protective layers, surgical masks, face masks, wipes and in wound care products. Non-woven materials may also find use in thermal insulation materials for example in clothing. Further, the fibrous monofilament disclosed herein may be used in any woven or knitted fabric or textile.

In the following, exemplary fibrous monofilaments according to this disclosure are presented as numbered items.

Item 1. Fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, such as recycled textile fiber. The fibrous monofilament further comprises CMC as a dispersing agent/dry strength agent.

S

N Item 2. Fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar

S cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from & cellulose-based waste raw material, such as recycled textile fiber. The fibrous =E 30 monofilament further comprises CMC as a dispersing agent/dry strength a agent, aPAM as a rheology modifier, PAE as a wet strength agent, AKD as a 3 hydrophobic adhesive, and, optionally, PU as a crosslinking agent.

N

R Item 3. Fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar — cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, such as recycled textile fiber. The fibrous monofilament further comprises CMC as a dispersing agent/dry strength agent, aPAM as a rheology modifier, PAE as a wet strength agent, AKD as a hydrophobic adhesive, and PEO as a rheology modifier/plasticizer.

Item 4. Fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, such as recycled textile fiber. The fibrous monofilament further comprises amino-functional cellulose ether as an amino- functional polymer component, PEGDGE as an epoxy-functional crosslinking agent, and, optionally, PEO or HEMC as a polymeric additive and/or CMC as a dispersing agent.

Item 5. Fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from — cellulose-based waste raw material, such as recycled textile fiber. The fibrous monofilament further comprises CMC as a dispersing agent, PAE as a wet strength agent, aPAM as a rheology modifier, tannic acid, resin acid, surfactant or lignin as an antimicrobial agent, and, optionally, AKD as a hydrophobic adhesive.

Item 6. Fibrous monofilament comprises at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, such as recycled textile fiber. The fibrous monofilament further comprises CMC as a dispersing agent, PAE as a wet strength agent, AKD as a sizing agent, and, optionally, aPAM as a rheology

N modifier and/or PEO as a rheology modifier/plasticizer and/or chitosan.

N

3 Example

N

I 30 Exemplary fibrous monofilaments were prepared from aqueous suspensions a wherein the dry matter of the suspension comprised MFC, wherein 100% of > the MFC originated from recycled textile fiber. Particularly, the recycled textile 3 fiber originated from cotton-based denim. Thus, majority of the recycled textile

N fiber was cotton fiber. The MFC had a length-weighted fiber length of 0.15-0.2 mm and a fiber width of 12-25 um. The MFC had a fines content of 96.5% (ISO fines) / 78.6% (Tappi fines).

The dry matter of the aqueous suspension further comprised CMC (14%) as the dispersing agent/dry strength agent, PAE (2%) as the wet strength agent,

AKD (1.5%) as the hydrophobic adhesive, PU (1%) as the crosslinking agent, and aPAM (2%) as the rheology modifier.

The fibrous monofilaments prepared had a linear density of 3.21 dtex, when measured following standard EN ISO 1973: 1995 at RH 65% (+/- 2%) and temperature 20 degrees C (+/- 2 degrees C). The tenacity values for the fibrous monofilaments were 2.08 cN/dtex (dry) and 1.18 cN/dtex (wet) when measured following standard ASTM 3822/D3822M-14 at RH 65% (+/- 2%) and temperature 20 degrees C (+/- 2 degrees C). The fibrous monofilaments showed elongation of 6.86% (dry) and 6.92% (wet), when measured following standard ASTM 3822/D3822M-14 at RH 65% (+/- 2%) and temperature 20 degrees C (+/- 2 degrees C).

The above presented mechanical properties of the prepared fibrous monofilaments are comparable to those of manufactured using natural MFC.

Thus, the exemplary tests show that MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, particularly recycled textile fiber can be utilized in preparing fibrous monofilaments, thereby providing a solution for reducing the environmental burden caused by the textile industry. <

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Claims (14)

Claims:

1. A fibrous monofilament comprising: - at least 50 wt.% of microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, and - adispersing agent.

2. The fibrous monofilament according to claim 1, wherein the MFC comprises or consists of MFC originating from recycled textile fiber.

3. The fibrous monofilament according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispersing agent is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC), methyl cellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (MEHEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), ethyl cellulose (EC) and starch, or any combination thereof.

4. The fibrous monofilament according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising additive(s) selected from strength additive(s), hydrophobic adhesive(s), pigment(s), crosslinking agent(s) and/or other modifier(s).

5. The fibrous monofilament according claim 4, wherein the strength N additive is N - a dry strength agent, such as polyacrylamide resin, starch, S vegetable gum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol Q (PVA), or latex, and/or I 30 - a wet strength agent, such as cationic glyoxylated resin, a polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resin, polyamine-epichlorohydrin 3 resin, ureaformaldehyde, or epoxide resin. N

R 6. The fibrous monofilament according to any of the claims 1-5, further comprising amino-functional polymer component(s), and an optional epoxy-functional crosslinking agent.

7. The fibrous monofilament according to any of the claims 4-6, wherein the hydrophobic adhesive is alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenylsuccinic anhydride (ASA), rosin, natural wax and modified sunflower-based adhesive (MSOHO), or any combination thereof.

8. The fibrous monofilament according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an antimicrobial agent.

9. The fibrous monofilament according any of the claims 1-8, further comprising a natural wax, a thermoplast, a sizing agent, natural rubber, or any combination thereof.

10.A method of manufacturing a fibrous monofilament, the method comprising the following steps: (i) forming an agueous suspension comprising from 90 to 96 wt.% of water, and from 4 to 10 wt% of dry matter including microfibrillar cellulose (MFC) and dispersing agent, the dry matter comprising at least 50 wt.% of MFC, the MFC comprising or consisting of MFC originating from cellulose-based waste raw material, (ii) extruding the aqueous suspension into a monofilament, and (iii) drying the monofilament.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the MFC comprises or N consists of MFC originating from recycled textile fiber. N 3 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the dry matter further Q comprises: I 30 - adry strength agent, and/or a - a wet strength agent, and/or S - crosslinking agent, and/or 3 - amino-functional polymer component(s) and an optional epoxy- functional crosslinking agent, and/or - a hydrophobic adhesive, and/or - an antimicrobial agent, and/or

- a natural wax, a thermoplast, a sizing agent, a natural rubber, or any combination thereof.

13. A fibrous material comprising the fibrous monofilament according to any of the claims 1-9.

14. The fibrous material according to claim 13, wherein the fibrous material is a woven material, a knitted material, a non-woven material or a composite material. < N O N O <Q eo] Al I = N < eo] LO < N O N