Novel Cellulose-Based Composite Materials

Production method for a cellulose-based composite material, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• a) Providing cellulose fibers comprising crystalline regions and at least 20% of amorphous regions,
• b) Activation of the amorphous regions of the cellulose fibers by alkaline treatment,
• c) Selective acylation of the amorphous regions of the cellulose fibers by low molecular weight fatty acids chosen from among acetate, propionate, butyrate and mixtures thereof, under reaction conditions preserving the glycosidic bonds of the cellulose, until cellulose fibers having a degree of acylation comprised between 10% to 50% by mass are obtained,
• d) Addition of a thermoplastic polymer matrix chosen from among cellulose acetates, cellulose propionates, cellulose butyrates, cellulose acetate butyrates and mixtures thereof,
• e) Optionally, forming of the composite material obtained in the preceding step by hot molding, injection molding and/or hot compression.