Background

Brassica napus L., which is commonly known as canola, is primarily grown for oil for human consumption, and protein meal for animal feed after oil processing. However, a large portion of the canola stems are left in the field following harvest and are typically returned to the soil for decomposition. Researchers at the University of Manitoba have examined the suitability of extracted canola fibres for apparel applications using unused stems to create an additional income stream for farmers.

Plant stems were collected and the fibres were water‑retted, individually isolated and dried. The textile properties and spinning properties of the extracted fibres were evaluated and compared with cotton as it is the most used natural fibre in the world. While virgin retted fibres have multiple properties, suitable for textiles such as strength, decomposition temperature, and dyeability, the extracted fibres are rigid and must be chemically treated to have sufficient flexibility suitable for processing in spinning machines.

The patented technology “Textile fibres and textiles from Brassica plants” describes the fibre extraction process in detail from harvested canola stalks to yield virgin fibres. The University of Manitoba also owns the rights to the specialized downstream enzymatic chemical treatment process to treat virgin fibres so that they are suitable for spinning. This procedure has been tested at an industrial scale and ensures the extracted fibres are flexible, while achieving product consistency, yield, and quality. Results of the proof-of-concept studies demonstrate that Brassica fibres have the potential to be used as a natural fibre for textiles for woven and non-woven products.

Technology Overview

To date, researchers at the University of Manitoba have discovered that the virgin-retted fibres from Brassica plants exhibit many of the required textile properties of cotton, including dye absorbency, strength, and thermal behaviour. The thermal decomposition temperature of tested Brassica fibres resulted at 240 ̊C, which is similar to cotton (245 ̊C). The breaking load of virgin-retted B. napus fibres was 36 cN. This is higher than the breaking load of cotton fibres (6 cN), and lower than the polyester fibres (47.8 cN). The dyeability of Brassica fibres for shade change (4-5) is much better than acceptable minimum range for 100 % cotton denim fabric (3-4), knit swimwear fabric (4), and woven slipcover fabrics (4). However, the virgin-retted fibres do not exhibit the required spinning (yarn transformation) properties (softness, flexibility and individual fibre entity). Virgin retted fibres are stiff and not individualized. The fibres are glued together, probably due to the inefficient removal of pectin content during retting process. With this type of fibre, it would be difficult to produce yarn through a spinning machine such as a carding machine. To modify the Brassica fibres for spinnability, a Trade Secret pre-enzymatic method is required. The resulting textile properties following this pre‑enzymatic treatment results in flexible individualized fibres suitable for spinning. This methodology is desirable as the extracted canola fibres can be used to manufacture luxurious textile products. The extracted fibres may also be combined with combined with other synthetic or natural fibres to create woven or non‑woven materials for the textile industry.

It is also possible to use the processed canola stalk material for other industrial applications such as insulation or as fuel for new generation industrial furnaces. This secondary “green” waste stream could be capitalized on to further improve the economic returns associated with deriving the textile fibers from canola stalks.

Canola Fibres

Stage of Development

Technology Readiness Level: 7

Benefits

The fibre production derived from canola has the potential to displace cotton as a natural fibre source
Extracted fibres may also be combined with synthetic and natural fibres for woven and non‑woven materials
Creation of a secondary income stream as processed stalks may be used in green industrial applications
Specialized machinery is not required as standard retting machinery may be used to extract canola fibres

Applications

Textile manufacturing

Opportunity

The University is actively seeking a licensee to license the patent and the Trade Secret from the University of Manitoba to move this technology to the market.

The University of Manitoba would also readily welcomes interactions with any investor or entrepreneur that would like to license (patent and Trade Secret) this industrially proven technology and the University would be highly supportive of the creation of a start‑up based in Manitoba, or outside of the province.

Textile Fibres Derived from Canola Stalks

Patents

IP Status

Seeking