Lignin Microcrystalline Cellulose Feed Additive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microcrystalline cellulose used in animal feed supplements is costly and has a high carbon footprint, limiting its widespread adoption in the animal feed industry.

Innovation Solution

The use of lignin-containing microcrystalline cellulose as an animal feed additive, which can be produced from brown stock pulp at a lower cost and with a reduced carbon footprint, thereby making it competitive in animal feed production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional microcrystalline cellulose is used as animal feed supplement, then animal feed efficiency is improved, but production cost and carbon footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed conversion rateVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes lignin, a previously discarded component from brown stock pulp, to produce lignin-containing microcrystalline cellulose. This extraction of the lignin component allows the use of lower-cost brown stock pulp instead of expensive conventional microcrystalline cellulose, reducing production costs while maintaining feed efficiency benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive conventional microcrystalline cellulose with a cheaper alternative produced from brown stock pulp. The lignin-containing microcrystalline cellulose serves as a cost-effective substitute that maintains the functional benefits for animal feed conversion while significantly reducing production costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If conventional microcrystalline cellulose is used as animal feed supplement, then animal feed efficiency is improved, but carbon footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed conversion rateVSAvoidcarbon footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts brown stock pulp, a by-product with limited commercial value, into a beneficial feed supplement. By utilizing this previously underutilized material to produce lignin-containing microcrystalline cellulose, the process reduces carbon footprint while maintaining animal feed efficiency benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If lignin-containing microcrystalline cellulose is used in animal feed, then feed conversion rate and body weight gain improve, but microbial activity in small intestine is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody weight gainVSAvoidmicrobial activity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lignin-containing microcrystalline cellulose exhibits different effects in different parts of the digestive system. In the small intestine, it reduces microbial activity to improve nutrient absorption, while in the caecum, it serves as a fiber source for beneficial bacteria. This localized differential effect optimizes overall animal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3621450B1Lignin containing microcellulose as an animal feed additive

Publication Date: 2025.02.19 NORDIC BIOPRODUCTS GRP OY

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AI summary

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an animal feed additive, which contains lignin-containing microcellulose, especially lignin- containing microcrystalline cellulose, for improving feed conversion rates of production animals, such as poultry.