
Process
The Ioncell® process utilizes a solvent called ionic liquid to dissolve cellulose. In the dissolved state, cellulose can be transformed into beautiful, strong fibers using the dry-jet wet spinning technology. The only chemicals applied are the non-toxic ionic liquid and water. They are both re-circulated in the process in a closed loop.
Fibers
Ioncell® fibers feel soft and are strong even when wet. The fiber properties of Ioncell are equal or better than viscose and Tencel™ fibers. Because of their high tenacity, Ioncell® fibers are optimal in technical applications such as composites.
Ioncell® fiber properties
- Moisture absorbing
- Biodegradable
- Bright lustre
- Can be dyed like cotton and viscose
Interested in making these numbers bigger?
Get in touch!
Professor Herbert Sixta
Lead researcher
Aalto University
herbert.sixta@aalto.fi
+358 50 384 1764
Projects within Ioncell®

Recycling

Technology

Products
Publications
- Ma, Y., Hummel, M.; Kontro, I.; Sixta, H. (2017): High performance man-made cellulosic fibres from recycled newsprints. Green Chem. 20, 160–169. Read the publication
- Asaadi, S.; Hummel, M.; Hellsten, S.; Härkäsalmi, T.; Ma, Y.; Michud, A.; Sixta, H. (2016): Renewable High-Performance Fibers from the Chemical Recycling of Cotton Waste Utilizing an Ionic Liquid. ChemSusChem 9(22): 3250–3258. Read the publication
- Michud, A.; Tanttu, M.; Asaadi, S.; Ma, Y.; Netti, E.; Kääriäinen, P.; Persson, A.; Berntsson, A.; Hummel, M.; Sixta, H. (2016): Ioncell-F: ionic liquid-based cellulosic textile fibers as an alternative to viscose and Lyocell. Textile Research Journal 86 (5): 543-552. Read the publication
Ioncell® turns wood into garments and clothes
Ioncell® is part of Aalto University's campaign that brings prominent research projects into the limelight. Could Ioncell® be the savior of the current textile industry? Take a look!
Ioncell® team and collaborators
- Aalto CHEM, Biorefineries research group, Prof. Herbert Sixta
- University of Helsinki, Materials Chemistry, Organic Chemistry research group, Prof. Ilkka Kilpeläinen and Dr. Alistair King
- Aalto ARTS, the Fashion/Textile Futures research group, Prof. Kirsi Niinimäki
- Aalto CHEM, Chemical Engineering research group, Prof. Ville Alopaeus
- Aalto CHEM, Plant Design, Prof. Pekka Oinas
- Swedish School of Textiles at the University of Borås
- Tampere University of Technology
Contact Us
Business inquiries
Jari Laine
Aalto University
jari.laine@aalto.fi
+358 50 5677 226
Research proposals
Professor Herbert Sixta
Lead researcher
Aalto University
herbert.sixta@aalto.fi
+358 50 384 1764