Nanollose is a Perth based R&D company with the aim of revolutionising the way we produce and use cellulose-based products, and in particular, developing non-woven textiles and other materials from nanocellulose. Cellulose is an organic polymer which is the basic building block for many textiles and for paper. Cotton is the purest form of cellulose. However, Nanollose’s nanocellulose is a special type of cellulose produced from non-conventional materials and techniques. The Company’s work to date has focused on the production of nonwoven textiles for the high fashion scene, predominantly for marketing purposes. This includes a dress made from beer and another made from sparkling wine, both of which has garnered considerable media attention. Nanollose’s business model is to patent the products and processes and then on-license this intellectual property to companies already engaged in the cellulose space. Small volume, high value products and prototypes will also be produced in-house. Cellulose is the world’s most abundant naturally organic polymer and it is the main structural material used by plants. It is used industrially on a massive scale, primarily in the form of cotton fabrics, absorbent materials, cardboard and paper. Cellulose for industrial use is currently obtained from plant sources, primarily cotton and wood. However, both of these have their own significant issues. Cotton requires an enormous amount of water, more than 20,000L to produce just one kg, and vast acres of arable land. On the other hand, the process of breaking down wood produces as much waste as it does cellulose. However, nanocellulose, differs from conventional plantbased cellulose in that it has nano-sized fibre particles which are much smaller than the more fibrous particles found in plant-based cellulose. It is produced by using certain bacteria to convert sugars into cellulose. The nano-structure of the nanocellulose results in new properties, making it a potentially valuable renewable polymer for engineering and fabrication applications. This includes high purity and density, shape retention, high water binding capacity and enhanced tensile strength. The main advantage for nanocellulose is its ability to be produced through low-tech fermentation systems using the waste streams from various industries (e.g. sugar, wine and food processing), requiring little land, water or energy. Nanocellulose can also be grown to shape resulting in onepiece seamless garments with no stitching, a valuable innovation to the fashion industry.
