French initiatives believe in biomass-based fibres
10/02/2025
OzoCell is investigating making a manmade cellulosic fibre from flax oilseed farming residues. A consortium of companies, including sports retailer Decathlon, is behind the nearly €6 million project. As its name implies, ozone is used to separate cellulose from other components. Applications in textiles and food packaging are expected.
KeWool seeks to make a keratin-based fibre from the wool of sheep grown for meat or cheese. The fibre would be extracted using a solvent and the fibre made via wet spinning. A first pilot plant is expected to be built in the Beauvais region (northwest of Paris). If successful, other units would be installed in sheep-growing regions.
A third agro-industry project on CETI’s to-do list is to build a milk fibre production supply chain in France. The protein fibre (as are silk and wool) is made from casein. Milk industry body, Centre National Interprofessionnel de l’Economie Laitière (CNIEL) is a key partner with the goal to create a new revenue stream for its members.
In other news, Frédéric Silvert, up till now head of innovation for CETI, has been named general manager, replacing Pascal Denizart, who held the position since 2014.
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