Nanocellulose-enhanced cleaning material for improved durability and performance

Overview

VERDE Biomaterials is developing a nanocellulose-enhanced cleaning material that addresses two critical challenges in cleaning products: durability and cleaning performance. By incorporating cellulose nanofibrils (CNMFs) into MCME (moist cleaning material/engine), the technology creates a nano-scale 3D fiber network that reinforces the foam structure while enhancing water absorbency and retention. This approach offers a sustainable, plant-based solution that can replace or reduce reliance on fossil-based polymers in cleaning products.

The value proposition centers on four key attributes: improved mechanical durability, enhanced absorbency, potential for controlled chemistry release, and sustainability. CNMFs uniquely balance these properties, making them an ideal additive for next-generation cleaning materials.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• CNMFs are extremely thin, long fibers with widths of approximately 2–100 nm and lengths reaching several microns
• Outstanding surface area and strength-to-weight ratio
• Hydrophilic polymer structure that swells and retains large amounts of water through hydroxyl group hydrogen bonding
• 3D fiber network acts as a crack propagation barrier, improving mechanical performance and reducing foam breakage
• Chemical and physical modification potential through available hydroxyl groups for controlled chemistry inclusion and release

Material properties provided:

• Fiber dimensions
• Viscosity
• Crystallinity
• Thermal resistance
• Customizable specifications based on application needs

Validation approach:

• Compression, fatigue, tensile, and flexural testing
• Water uptake and retention testing
• Chemical absorption and release trials
• Industry-standard cleaning and durability testing

Technology readiness level

This technology is at an early-stage proof-of-concept phase. Preliminary tensile testing on PVA composite films demonstrated that nanofibers significantly improved material strength and modulus while uniquely enhancing elongation. SEM analysis confirmed the crack propagation barrier effect of the CNMF network. Water absorption testing showed that CNMFs retain water when squeezed, supporting their potential for improved absorbency under pressure.

The proposed 12-month validation study will compare the improved MCME against current industry benchmarks through comprehensive mechanical and cleaning performance testing. VERDE Biomaterials will produce CNMF samples in water-based gel form and provide detailed material specification sheets. The company is actively seeking partnerships for sponsored research or co-development to access scaling expertise, customer evaluation support, and necessary testing equipment.