We developed a cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) production process that considers the stages of mechanical refining, enzymatic treatment and homogenization. We have a pilot plant with a capacity of 3,000 L of CNF (at 1%) per day (TRL 6). The CNF are very small and have a high specific surface area, so they have a high water retention capacity, which makes them the main raw material for a new gelling agent for alcohol (TRL 5). The emulsions are stable, pleasant on skin contact, achieve acceptable viscosities and production costs are of a magnitude that the market would be willing to accept.
