• Highly pure, powdery, fibrous, water-insoluble cellulose with cellulose content of 75% to 99.5% (our products are available in varying purities, fibre lengths, thicknesses and liquid-binding capacities depending on the application)
• Very fine particle sizes with fibre lengths ranging from 10 μm up to very coarse grades with 2,000 μm (the greater the fibre length, the higher the thickening effect and functionality).
• 100% natural, produced from renewable resources, bio-degradable and environment-friendly, completely safe to work with.
• Insoluble in water and organic solvents, with a high thermal and chemical stability, resistant to dilute acids and bases.
• Due to the insoluble nature of our cellulose products and the inherent fibrous structure (with microfibrils making up each individual fibre), our fibres form a three-dimensional network or framework after homogenous mixing, which brings about mechanical strength and physical stability, and leads to a thickening effect through fibre reinforcement.
• The fibrous framework precipitates a cross-linking effect which mechanically binds water, emulsions, bitumen, etc. Any liquid can thus be absorbed and transported through the capillary effect brought about by the three-dimensional fibre network.
• The fibre reinforcement provides excellent thermal and thixotropic properties, with good liquid retention even at higher temperatures. Also, our fibres bring about a better slump resistance with reduced slippage during processing and application, especially in vertical coats. Consequently, much thicker coats can be applied in a single step.  
• The mechanical strength of the fibre framework acts as a crack-inhibitor in various paints, tile adhesives, mineral or emulsion-bound bituminous products and reduces shrinkage in various systems.  
• In adhesives, open time refers to the tendency for a skin to form on the surface of the application, due to moisture being trapped inside the matrix. Thanks to the capillary effect of our fibre framework, our cellulose fibres significantly increase the open time and greatly reduce the tendency of a skin forming, as the liquid is transported in the fibre capillaries from the inside or core to the surface, where the liquid subsequently evaporates. Our fibres therefore precipitate a much more uniform and stress-free drying or setting of the product.
• Our fibres are used as a thickening agent to modify and enhance the viscosity of mortars and render systems. Added at a suitable dosage, our cellulose products improve the rheology and flow characteristics resulting in a stiffer mortar that is easier to work with, both by hand and mechanically. The improved viscosity increases the pumpability and enables the render to be applied mechanically by machine. In addition, the coverage of the render increases and its thermal insulation and water retention properties are significantly improved.
• Through the application of our JELUCEL® fibres, the water retention, consistency, and adhesion characteristics of mortar and render systems can be positively influenced. The higher the viscosity, the higher the water retention of the construction material. Mortar and render systems containing JELUCEL® fibres, dry more slowly and are thus workable for longer. Good water retention is crucial to enhance the curing and setting of the material and prevent premature drying out. A good consistency is paramount for the workability of mortar and render systems and our JELUCEL® cellulose contributes significantly to a homogeneous consistency, which is particularly advantageous when applying very thin layers of render. Slippage is also greatly reduced and sometimes eliminated through the improved consistency brought about by our JELUCEL® fibres. When applying mortar products, it is essential for them to adhere effectively to the substrate. This requirement holds true for both freshly applied wet mortar and cured mortar. JELUCEL® markedly improves both the wet and dry adhesion characteristics of the construction materials.
• Due to these unique features and characteristics, our JELUCEL® and JELUXYL® fibres add significant technological value to stuccos, plasters, tile adhesives, joint fillers for plasterboards, renders and mortars, filler compounds, adhesive and reinforcing compounds for composite thermal insulation systems, emulsion paints, bituminous products, epoxy-resin-bound floors, sealants, brush-applied rough-fibre paints, magnesite-bound flooring compounds, and other similar building and construction type products.

Our JELUCEL® and JELUXYL® fibres offer the following compelling technological advantages for producers of construction materials and building products:

• Increased thickening effect due to fibre reinforcement
• Improved slump resistance and thermal stability
• Improved open time and enhanced drying, curing and setting
• Good workability and improved “sandability”
• Potential asbestos replacement (partially)
• Inhibited cracking and application of thicker coats (in one process or step)
• Suppression of sheen and improved rheological properties
• And many more…

Under the brand JELUCEL®, we supply CLEAR solutions in the form of a full range of 100% organic cellulose filter aid, for the complete spectrum of solid-liquid filtration applications. Coupled with full technical support on our products, our mission is to optimize your entire filtration operation and ultimately maximize plant productivity!

Key product features and compelling advantages:

• Our JELUCEL® products are commonly used as PRECOAT and BODYFEED filter aids, in conjunction with all conventional type of industrial filters, whether based on a pressure system, or vacuum. Our products are equally compatible with pressure filtration equipment such as filter presses, leaf filters and candle filters, as well as vacuum filtration hardware such as a rotary vacuum drum filter.
• Our JELUCEL® organic filter aids are produced from natural, renewable raw materials and are bio-degradable, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic. Since they are approved as a foodstuff i.e. are food-grade certified, they are completely safe to work with and pose no hazard to any form of occupational health.
• Our filter aids intrinsically have a high chemical and thermal stability, making them a preferred filter aid choice in many challenging solid-liquid filtration applications.
• Considering the 100% bio-degradable nature of our products, our cellulose filter aids inherently have a very low residual ash content of approx. 0.5%, which means the filter cakes or sludge generated during filtration with our cellulose filter aid can be economically disposed of by incineration, with minimal impact on the environment.
• In certain food sector applications, the filter cakes containing our JELUCEL® organic filter aids can be “composted” or “re-worked” and incorporated into animal feed mixes, which could translate into a monetary cost-saving for the producer, or at least provide a more economical and environment-friendly method of filter cake/sludge/waste disposal.
• Our JELUCEL® organic filter aids are soft, non-silica and non-abrasive, and therefore do not cause any damage to any filtration hardware or equipment such as pumps, pump impellers, pipes, etc. during filter operation. Plant maintenance costs are consequently reduced through the utilisation of our cellulose filter aids.  
• Due to the highly fibrillated nature of our cellulose filter aids, our JELUCEL® products form highly porous and permeable filter cakes, with countless voids and microscopic channels that precipitate an excellent particle entrapment capability leading to a very high physical separation efficiency. Considering the low heavy metal content of our cellulose products, our filter aids are naturally designed to maximize the clarity of any filtered solution or filtrate and eliminate any form of turbidity.
• Cellulose filter aids typically have a lower wet cake density compared to mineral filter aids, which leads to a lower consumption of filter aid per square meter of filter area. This potentially translates into a monetary cost saving for the producer, coupled with a reduction in spent cake disposal due to lower filter cake and sludge yields.
• Our products are intrinsically highly permeable due to the fibrous structure of the cellulose particles and the three-dimensional fibre network that is formed in the matrix of the filter cake. This results in improved operational flow rates on the filter and coupled with a high particle retention capacity of the fibrous cake, prolonged filter cycle times are often observed leading to higher filter throughputs and production yields. The flexible and fibrous structure of our products also prevents cracks or tears in the filter cake and provides elasticity against pressure drops which can be extremely detrimental during filter operation.
• Filter cakes constructed with our fibrous JELUCEL® organic filter aid typically have a higher mechanical stability which often leads to an improved cake discharge from the septum or screen, during cleaning of the filter after a filter cycle has been completed. Our fibrous filter cakes are also naturally compressible compared to other mineral filter aids, resulting in a dryer cake after filter operation and during the cleaning cycle, which makes it easier and faster to clean the filter and dispose of the spent filter cake and waste.

• Our filter aids are used every day in a myriad of different filtration applications, which include (but are not limited to) the following:

Our mission at CARBOCRAFT is to provide optimum filtration solutions that maximize plant productivity! Through the close cooperation with a local filtration hardware partner, we can therefore offer the following technical support to our esteemed filtration customers:

• Process optimization (through site visits and detailed surveys, we can provide equipment optimization recommendations, advice on service requirements, and full operator training)
• Filter aid optimization through laboratory tests (simulating plant process conditions on a lab-scale using miniature lab bomb filter, filter press, vacuum filter, etc.)
• Identifying optimum filter aid grades and dosage levels and assessing the efficacy of applying a PRECOAT and/or BODYFEED
• Optimizing filter cloth and screen types and ensuring compatibility with type of filter aid for optimum filtration performance
• Analysing clarity of filtrate and studying spent cake discharge from septum and cake composition and moisture profile
• Providing detailed lab reports on filtration performance and supplying recommendations and technical service on pilot or plant-scale trials
• Plant maintenance (service division dedicated to service and maintenance of existing filtration equipment e.g. refurbishment of filter leaves, etc.)