Resolute Forest Products Inc., in collaboration with Performance BioFilaments, has taken another step toward developing a viable market for cellulose filaments (CF), an innovative wood-based biomaterial, by conducting field tests in Quebec sidewalks.
Construction crews in Saguenay used CF-infused concrete to build a new section of sidewalk. Located in a well-travelled area, the more than 100-meter (325-foot) sidewalk also includes a section built using a conventional concrete mix. The durability of both types of concrete will be assessed over the coming winter months and into the spring. This project follows a successful trial carried out at its Senneterre, Quebec, sawmill in late 2022.
Conventional concrete sidewalks can be prone to cracking and accelerated degradation over time, particularly in areas where temperatures vary greatly across seasons and de-icing salts are used. The addition of cellulose filaments enhances the concrete's curing process, which reduces cracking and creates more weather-resistant sidewalks. Validation of these advantages paves the way for the possibility of using CF in larger-scale infrastructure projects.
In April 2023, Resolute inaugurated a commercial plant specializing in CF production at its Kénogami, Quebec, paper mill.
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