Australian textile innovator Nanollose, has been awarded a US patent —and the first specifically for its fibre technologies.

The patent application entitled Techniques for Creating a Viscose Dope from Microbial Cellulose received approval from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

According to NC6, the process of pulping microbial cellulose for use in the creation of viscose fibers is covered by the patent.

The US patent is a significant validation of the company's aim to achieve a broader leading position in sustainable fibre technology, even if the company's current main focus is on the development of its trade-marked, tree-free Nullarbor lyocell process.

The US patent also broadens NC6's IP footprint throughout its product line and offers defense against future rivals in the biggest consumer market in the world.

The NC6's successful application resulted in the grant of its third patent worldwide and first in the US. It is also the first to directly address the fiber technologies of the corporation, notwithstanding other jurisdictions' continued review of this family of patents.

In January 2020, NC6 and Grasim Industries signed into long-term development cooperation for the advancement of the Nullarbor lyocell process.

Birla Cellulose's main company, Grasim Industries, is a division of the multinational Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla Group. Moreover, NC6 and Birla Cellulose filed a combined patent application.

In February 2022, Grasim Industries successfully completed a pilot scale spin, producing 260kg of Nullarbor-20 staple fiber.

Following the pilot spin, NC6 has collaborated with a number of companies as it works to market its Nullarbor fibers.

Moreover, NC6 and Birla Cellulose submitted a joint patent in January 2022 under the title A High Tenacity Regenerated Cellulosic Fibre through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

NC6 has a plan to formally protect all of its intellectual property via patents.

Executive chairman Dr. Wayne Best said he is pleased that NC6's technology suite has received yet another patent, the first for its fiber technologies and the first in the US. 

Partner organizations using the Nullarbor-20 fiber, which promises to lessen the environmental impact of the fashion sector, are still providing the company with favorable feedback and significant demand.

Best added that the formal approval from the USPTO marks another affirmation of the company's breakthrough innovations, in addition to growing its foreign IP portfolio. With US patent permission for NC6's microbial cellulose technology for viscose, it is best to say that the business is still enthusiastic about its pending patent portfolio, including the joint patent application filed with Birla Cellulose.