Regenerated Cellulose Fibres from Sustainable Source
Overview
The regenerated cellulose fibres are developed from sustainable source extracted from kombucha beverage waste. It is an eco-friendly alternative to cellulose fibres such as viscose as the production process involves no toxic chemicals used.
Technical name of innovation
Regenerated Cellulose Fibres from Sustainable Source
Research completion
2023
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing
Problem addressed
The production of two mainstreams of cellulose fibres, cotton and viscose, generate environmental impacts. Growing cotton requires the use of pesticides and high consumption of water, while producing viscose fibres use a highly pollution solution to extract cellulose and produce viscose fibre. Using bacterial cellulose to produce regenerated cellulose fibres can also recycle beverage waste.
Innovation
- To produce regenerated cellulose fibres using bacterial cellulose, a novel and green solvent system is developed for the dissolution of high molecular weight bacterial cellulose.
- Specially identified species of bacteria and yeast from beverage waste to ferment bacteria cellulose.
Key impact
- A sustainable and innovative attempt to produce regenerated cellulose fibres by upcycling beverage waste using plant-free cellulose. It relieves environmental issues from convention production of cellulose fibres.
- The new solvent system is kraft-process free, chemical derivatisation free, and more energy efficient.
- Cultivation and fermentation of bacterial cellulose fibre takes only 10 days while requiring less farming spaces.
Award
- Gold Medal in the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2023)
Application
- Production of sustainable and eco-friendly cellulose fibres
- Upcycling beverage bacterial wastes
Patent
- 63/485,028 (US)
- PCT/CN2023/087924 (PCT)
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)
Established in 2006, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR government, and hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
HKRITA has achieved research deliverables over the years around our research clusters targeting in sustainability, industry advancement and social benefits through our centre-owned research teams and laboratories as well as collaborations with industry partners and institutions.
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