Process for producing lignocellulosic stem fibers from energy crops

The invention discloses a process for isolating lignocellulosic (LC) stem fibers from chopped above-ground parts of energy crops miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) and/or giant reed (Arundo donax L.), which is based on the chemical treatment of chopped biomass with a solution of citric acid (5-15% m/m), hydrogen peroxide (2-6% m/m) and disodium edetate dihydrate (0.005-0.03% m/m) at 60-65 °C with thermal treatment with microwaves (MW) at 2,450 MHz for 30-60 minutes, with subsequent fiberization in a mill to a level of 10-40 °SR, and squeezing and drying, whereby lignocellulosic stem fibers with a length of 0.1-10 mm and a diameter of 10-20 μm are obtained.

Lignocellulosic stem fibers according to the invention can be used for the production of composite materials with the possibility of application in various industries: in the textile industry for the production of nonwovens and other technical textiles, in the construction industry for the production of insulation boards, for the production of paper such as kraft paper, industrial paper or cardboard, and for various purposes in agriculture (agrotextiles).