Birla Carbon/GranBio nanocellulose dispersion masterbatch

Birla Carbon and GranBio Technologies have introduced a patent-pending NDC (Nanocellulose Dispersion Composite) rubber masterbatch for qualification by tyre and rubber companies. The breakthrough in NDC masterbatch is the result of a three-year joint development programme between the two companies designed to address growing sustainability demands from the tyre industry both in terms of improving tyre rolling resistance and vehicle fuel economy through enabling the incorporation of sustainable, bio-derived nanocellulose into commercial rubber compounds.

The utilisation of nanocellulose in rubber goods and tyres has been an active area of research and development throughout industry and academia over the past several years. However, effective dispersion of hydrophilic nanocellulose into hydrophobic rubber formulations has been a persistent problem that has previously hindered widespread uptake by the rubber industry.

Sharing his thoughts on the announcement, Dale Clark, Chief Technology Officer, Birla Carbon said, “At Birla Carbon, we focus on the market trends and work closely with our customers to understand where they need help delivering value. A key product innovation goal of our tire customers is to increase the amount of renewable raw materials in their tyres through product innovation.” He further added, “The NDC masterbatch enables delivery of this goal while maintaining or improving tire properties and performance.” 

“This is a significant milestone in GranBio’s commercialisation of its breakthrough BioPlus nanocellulose technology. GranBio Technologies is committed to bringing renewable technologies to market to improve sustainability while providing improved product functionality for our customers. We are proud to be partnering with Birla Carbon to bring this solution to market and look forward to seeing the first commercial products literally on the road,” shared Kenneth Hill, Chief Commercial Officer, GranBio Technologies.

The NDC masterbatch overcomes traditional dispersion challenges by combining several synergistic innovations developed by our team members including GranBio’s patented hydrophobic form of nanocellulose. The breakthrough in nanocellulose technology for rubber compounds provides many advantages and benefits for the rubber compounder including easy dispersing, convenient, dust-free handling and integration into formulations along with increased use of renewable raw materials and improvements in fuel economy.

India-based Birla Carbon is a global supplier of carbon black. As one of the flagship businesses of the US$48.3 billion Aditya Birla Group, Birla Carbon provides carbon black solutions that enhance the performance of paints and coatings, inks and toners, plastics, adhesives, sealants, textile fibers, mechanical rubber goods and tyres. The company’s footprint extends across 12 countries with 16 manufacturing facilities and two technology centres in Marietta (USA) and Taloja (India).

GranBio Technologies is a subsidiary of GranBio Investimentos S.A. (São Paulo, Brazil), an industrial biotechnology company focused on commercial deployment of technologies for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and advanced renewable materials, including nanocellulose. 

Nanocellulose is a versatile high-strength, lightweight renewable biomaterial that Thomson Reuters named as one of the top ten technologies that will change the world by 2025. GranBio produces a variety of BioPlus nanocellulose products, including cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanocrystals, and hydrophobic lignin-coated versions at their Thomaston Biorefinery in Georgia. GranBio Technologies holds an extensive patent portfolio in the biorefinery and nanocellulose fields including over 200 worldwide granted and patents pending.