American Process, Inc. Announces First Nanocellulose Patent and 25th Granted Patent
ATLANTA, Georgia, U.S., November 17, 2015 — American Process, Inc. (API) announced
today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent to API for
its BioPlus® nanocellulose technology, U.S. Patent No. 9,187,865. This patent covers
an AVAP® process for producing a nanocellulose material, as well as many downstream
applications using the nanocellulose. The process includes fractionating a biomass
feedstock with an acid, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate cellulose-rich
solids; and then mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids with a relatively
low amount of energy to form cellulose nanofibrils or nanocrystals. Other patents
are pending for the nanocellulose material and compositions that include the nanocellulose,
as well as for other aspects of the technology, in the U.S., Brazil, Europe, Japan,
China, India, Russia, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, and South Africa.
According to lead inventor Dr. Kim Nelson, “Nanocellulose has proven to be a versatile material
with a vast array of potential commercial applications. With exceptionally low-cost
commercial-scale production potential and flexibility in nanocellulose morphology
and surface functionalization, API’s nanocellulose process has overcome the most
significant barriers to commercialization for this 21st Century biomaterial.” More
information is online at www.americanprocess.com/bioplus.
“This milestone underscores API’s culture of biorefinery innovation in service to our planet.
Our BioPlus Nanocellulose has conquered the major commercial barriers that have
hitherto inhibited rapid market development. Specifically, BioPlus nanocellulose
materials are cost-competitive with traditional materials; they can be produced
as a powder and we have introduced novel lignin-coated nanocellulose, both crystals
and fibrils, that are oleophilic and compatible with plastic applications. We are
currently focusing development of market applications ranging from packaging to
transportation lightweighting and rheological modifiers,” reflected Dr. Theodora
Retsina, API’s CEO.
API has been an active biorefinery innovator for 20 years and has several technologies on
the market. The AVAP technology is a flexible biorefinery platform to produce various
chemicals, materials, sugars, fuels, and energy from lignocellulosic biomass.
U.S. Patent No. 9,187,865 marks another milestone for API—the 25th patent granted. The
IP portfolio also includes over 200 published and unpublished patent applications,
as well as proprietary know-how and trade secrets. “The USPTO recognizes API’s
true progress, enabling legal protection of our substantial R&D investment. These
patents allow us to commercially offer our technologies to partners and licensees,”
observed Dr. Ryan O’Connor, API’s CIPO.
For more information about API’s BioPlus nanocellulose, please contact:
Kim Nelson, Ph.D.
VP Nanocellulose Technology
American Process Inc.
750 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 1-404-872-8807, x213
E-mail: knelson@americanprocess.com
Please contact us if you want to discuss these further.