Ashland’s subsidiary, Hercules, and Naturally Advanced Technologies declared that they have inked a partnership deal to develop high-grade dissolving pulp called CRAiLEX.
Naturally Advanced Technologies produces eco-sustainable and renewable biomass materials from hemp, flax and bast fibers. It is the exclusive owner of a patented method used in the production of the CRAiLEX purified pulp.
The recent test results proved that CRAiLEX features higher-grade value pulps when compared to other types of soft- or hard-wood pulps. Ashland uses these pulps to produce a range of cellulosic products for numerous industrial applications.
The Chief Executive Officer at Naturally Advanced Technologies, Ken Barker stated that the deal is the starting point for the CRAiLEX technology and the collaboration with a major player like Ashland is an important millstone in the development of this technology. Earlier, the company had adopted a similar strategy to commercialize its CRAiLAR technology and now is looking forward to work with Ashland, he added.
The CRAiLAR technology was developed by Naturally Advanced Technologies’ subsidiary, CRAiLAR Fiber Technologies. The technology allows eco-sustainable and economical production and processing of natural bast fibers with improved performance properties for applications in composite material, medical, energy, industrial and textile industries.