Ciona nanocellulose for large volume and high value applications

Globally, there is a drive towards environmentally sound and sustainable manufacturing technologies and biotechnological solutions are increasingly solicited towards this goal. A major example is the international effort to replace petroleum-based synthetic polymers/plastics with recyclable, biodegradable materials. Nanocellulose and cellulose derived from forestry and other plant sources are excellent choices as a substitute, offering similar or stronger properties to steel or glass but with a large reduction in weight. They also offer possibilities to introduce novel functional properties and are projected to supply a global annual market estimated to range from 19-60 million tons. This project has been oriented to the optimisation of the use of an alternative marine source of nanocellulose and cellulose, the sea squirt, Ciona, towards this vast market. Ciona nanocellulose has superior properties to plant-derived sources in that fibrils are longer, wider and stronger. We have scaled up high throughput separation of the cellulose-rich outer tunic from the protein-rich inner animal (which can be used separately for animal feed) such that best use of the biomass is achieved. We have optimised a simplified protocol for the preparation of Ciona cellulose with a minimized environmental footprint and have achieved purities of 99.8%. With industrial partners, we have tested this material in absorptive, reinforced nanocomposite matrices and flexible, thin film Quantum Dot applications as well as development of transparent interpenetration gels, and bioengineered replacement corneas for biomedical applications. During the course of the project three start-up marine biotech companies have been formed, Tunichor AS, Ocean Bergen AS, and Ocean Tunicell AS. Furthermore, two process technologies have been developed that will be the source of patent applications. We are currently involved in confidential discussions with industrial, engineering, and financial partners on both a modified pilot cellulose refinery (based on our optimised protocols) design, and a certified laboratory facility for the production of medical grade nanocellulose.

The project results support a global drive towards biotechnological solutions for environmentally sound and sustainable manufacturing technologies, particularly in the replacement of plastics with biopolymers. We have generated competence in the generation and processing of the low trophic, marine, tunicate biomass and in the preparation of highly pure tunicate cellulose and nanocellulose towards a range of materials science and biomedical applications.

Globally, there is a drive towards environmentally sound and sustainable manufacturing technologies and biotechnological solutions are increasingly solicited towards this goal. A major example is the international R&D effort to replace petroleum-based synthetic polymers/plastics with recyclable, biodegradable materials. Nanocellulose and cellulose derived from forestry and other plant sources are excellent choices as a substitute, offering similar or stronger properties to steel or glass but with a large reduction in weight. They also offer possibilities to introduce various novel functionalities and are projected to supply a global annual market from 19-60 million tons. This project aims to optimise the use of an alternative marine source of nanocellulose and cellulose, the tunicate, Ciona, towards this vast market. Ciona nanocellulose has superior properties to plant-derived sources in that fibrils are longer, wider and stronger. A first primary project objective is to scale up high throughput separation of the cellulose-rich outer tunic (towards applications in this project) from the protein-rich inner animal (used in animal feed) such that best use of the biomass is achieved. We will then optimise preparation of Ciona cellulose and nanocellulose for efficiency, economy and minimized environmental footprint. Finally, with industrial partners, we will test this material in high volume adhesive, absorptive and coating applications as well as high value biomedical applications in relevant settings. We have developed dense mariculture systems with annual biomass production capacities of 250 tons dry weight per hectare. Subsea 3D farming of low trophic level tunicates offers a very attractive complement to plant based nanocellulose sources and contributes to freeing up valuable terrestrial areas. It is anticipated that successful achievement of project goals will result in formation of a Norwegian marine biotech company.