Resolute is focusing on bringing commercial volumes of cellulose filaments to market

As Resolute’s new cellulose filament plant nears completion at the Kénogami paper mill in Saguenay, in the Canadian province of Quebec, the company is focusing on bringing commercial volumes of this innovative biomaterial to the marketplace.

Working closely with partners Performance BioFilaments and FPInnovations, and through the continued support of the ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts du Québec Wood Innovation Program, Resolute is working to commercialize a translucent film made of cellulose filaments (CF).

This product could potentially replace clear plastic films used in several everyday applications, notably in store packaging of fresh foods. For example, the plastic window on a typical premium bread bag can be replaced by the new CF-based film, representing 100% biosourced package.

This solution can easily be disposed through a single-stream recycling collection system or a typical municipal composting infrastructure. Thus, the product offers a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics in a range of applications.

For an industry that typically produces opaque printing paper, the development of a see-through product was no small challenge. With the help of its partners, the company successfully produced pilot quantities of CF film. Rolls produced during multiple trials have been successfully used in converting on commercial bag lines with potential customers.

“Bio-based translucent film is another example of what our cellulose filament product platform can lead to. Improving the sustainability profile of packaging products is an exciting challenge, and we believe that we can be part of the solution,” said Alain Bourdages, vice president, Innovation and Energy.