Method of making fire retardant materials and related products

Abstract

Methods for making fire retardant material including fire retardant cellulosic insulation are described. The methods include arrangements for partitioning fibers derived from fiber feedstocks and adding at least a portion of fibers of one or more feedstocks and a fire retardancy chemical compound to a mixer prior to fiber drying. The fibers may be disentangled and/or partitioned prior to mixing with the fire retardancy chemical compound. The fibers may be partially dewatered prior to the drying or other steps of the methods. The feedstock may include old newsprint (ONP), old corrugated containers (OCC), and/or other cellulose-based materials. The method further includes retaining the fibers feedstock and the chemical compound together for enough time to ensure adherence and impregnation of enough of the chemical to and in the fibers after the drying process. Fibers may be partitioned and disentangled prior to, during, and/or after treatment with the fire retardancy compound. The fire retardant cellulose insulation may be a standalone product or may be a component of a finished insulation end product.