Chapter 10

Commercialization of Cellulose Nanocrystal (NCC™) Production

A Business Case Focusing on the Importance of Proactive EHS Management

Brian O’Connor, Richard Berry and Rene Goguen

Cellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring organic polymer on the planet. It comprises the structural component of the primary cell wall of higher plants and green algae, and it is also formed by bacteria, some fungi, and tunicates (invertebrate marine organisms). The cellulose polymer chain is derived from D-glucose units, which condense through beta (1–4) glycosidic bonds giving a rigid straight chain having many inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds among the many hydroxyl groups. This feature allows the cellulose chains to pack closely to give ...

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