Natural Strength
FiberLean® MFC
Through the development of FiberLean® MFC the use of Microfibrillated Cellulose in full scale papermaking is now a reality. There are multiple possibilities to take advantage of the superior hydrogen bonding capability – “Natural strength”- of MFC.
Microfibrillated Cellulose
FiberLean® MFC is an innovative composite of Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) and mineral. Application of FiberLean® MFC typically allows replacing 10-15% fiber. FiberLean® MFC allows paper makers to reduce their raw material costs, to innovate and to develop new differentiated products.
Full scale commercial supply of FiberLean®MFC is now established and the concept has proven to be a cost-efficient way for paper makers to become more competitive. Papermakers who use FiberLean® MFC reduce their raw material costs whilst improving productivity and are able to innovate and develop new differentiated products at the same time.
Graphic Paper Application
FiberLean® MFC can be used to improve mechanical properties over a broad range of sheet strengths / filler contents.
FiberLean® MFC enables the filler content to be increased whilst maintaining strength.
The replacement of fiber with filler reduces raw material costs.
Coated Paper Application
FiberLean® MFC added to the base paper finish improves application and hold-out of functional coatings.
Less coating is required to achieve target performance.
Greater performance is achieved at an equivalent coat weight.
And More…
FiberLean® MFC, with its unique and wide-ranging composition, offers both quality and process improvements.
Contact us with your paper specifications and we will bring our best paper experts to analyze how FiberLean® MFC can improve your paper process.
Dedicated Support
FiberLean Technologies' dedicated technical support team works in cooperation with our commercial partners to help customers optimize performance.
Tailored Solutions
FiberLean MFC plants are easily available in a wide range of capacities to meet customer demand in mills with 100 kton paper production and up.
Increased Quality
Papermakers who use FiberLean MFC improve productivity and are able to innovate and develop new differentiated products at the same time.
Reduce Material Cost
FiberLean MFC replaces 10-15% of the fiber in the base paper, reducing overall raw material costs and making more efficient use of available pulp that is used.
Give natural strength to your paper
FiberLean® MFC replaces 10-15% of the fiber in the base paper. The MFC contained in the composite has a large surface area, thus allowing the formation of more hydrogen bonds within the web, giving natural strength to the paper.
FiberLean® MFC replaces 10-15% of the fiber in the base paper. The MFC contained in the composite has a large surface area, thus allowing the formation of more hydrogen bonds within the web, giving natural strength to the paper.
Paper containing FiberLean® MFC maintains bulk and stiffness, despite the higher density of MFC and higher filler-to-fiber ratio. This is achieved as the paper is smoother and has up to 30% higher bond strength. Paper with improved smoothness can be calendered at lower pressure and/or with fewer nips.
Coated papers can further reduce calendering due to improved hold-out and gloss. The increase in bond strength means changes in refining or use of bulkier pulps such as CTMP is possible.
Finally in Uncoated Wood-free paper, Scalenohedral PCC allows for further filler increase without sacrificing bulk or stiffness.
What to expect
From using FiberLean® MFC
- The increased hydrogen bonding improves the initial wet strength of the web.
- No new additives or process chemicals required.
- Increased use of mineral gives better base paper opacity, brightness and improves the paper machine’s drying performance.
- Paper porosity is significantly improved, leading to better coating hold and less coating water penetrating the base paper.
- Use of FiberLean® MFC improves coating performance across a wide range of applications and reduces the need for binders and expensive additives.
- Paper containing FiberLean® MFC maintains bulk and stiffness, despite the higher density of MFC and higher filler-to-fiber ratio.
- This is achieved as the paper is smoother and has up to 30% better bond strength.
- Paper with improved smoothness can be calendered at lower pressure and/or in fewer nips. Coated papers can further reduce calendering requirements due to improved hold-out and gloss.
- The increase in bond strength means changes in refining or use of bulkier pulps such as CTMP is possible.
- For Uncoated Wood-free paper, the Scalenohedral PCC allows for further filler increase without sacrificing bulk or stiffness.
FiberLean® MFC
Filler increase achieved in commercial UWF/CWF trials
Improvements, as measured on an 800 m/min
state-of-the-art pilot paper machine at 8% filler increase (absolute)
Highly Filled Sheet
4% MFC, 55% GCC
Highly Filled Sheet
4% MFC, 55% GCC
Surface Comparison
Filled Sheet with Control Visible Impact On Porosity
Surface Close Up
Strong association of MFC with mineral in paper
Highly Filled Sheet
4% MFC, 55% GCC
Highly Filled Sheet
MFC improves bonding between fibers
FiberLean® MFC
Find out more! Contact us to learn how your company could benefit.