SUSTAINABLE NONWOVENSAndritz Nonwoven added: “By adding Laroche’s state-of-the-art products and expertise to our existing capabilities, Andritz Nonwoven will further strengthen

February / March 2021

SUSTAINABLE NONWOVENS

Levels of complexityCan sustainable feedstocks

transform the AHP industry?

Media savvyFocus on filtration

Eco investment Green issues drive technology spending

Pace settingRecord growth for biopolymers

Technical Innovation and Industry Best PracticePublished by

OFC SNW Feb-March-2021-2_HD_Sustainable News Magazine 09/02/2021 09:38 Page 1

Advanced Tension Controlled Unwinding Technology for Hygiene Sector Applications

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EDITORIAL

Speculation about the pace and status ofsustainability issues in the nonwovensindustry can be firmly put to bed withthe news that the growth rate for bio-based polymers is now higher than fossil-based polymer market growth.Raw materials made from a biological

feedstock have been identified as arenewable and more sustainablealternative to fossil-based plastics.Unlike the vast majority of fossil-basedpolymers, many such biopolymers are biodegradable, which is helpingprovide a solution to the dizzyingescalation in plastic waste seen acrossmuch of the world.In fact, the latest figures show that

2020 was a promising year for bio-basedpolymers: sold out PLA in 2019 has ledto the installation of increased capacities,PE and PP made from bio-based naphthaare breaking ground and futureexpansion for bio-based polyamides aswell as for PBAT, PHAs and caseinpolymers is on the horizon. As a newreport from Germany’s Nova Instituteshows, only bio-based PET showed alower growth rate.Encouragingly, the figures also show

that several global brands are alreadyexpanding their feedstock portfolio toinclude, next to fossil-based, sources ofrenewable carbon, CO2, recycling andespecially biomass, increasing thedemand for bio-based as well asbiodegradable polymers. The latest information also shows

significant progress has been made inproviding the absorbent hygiene productsindustry with more sustainable feedstocks.

The European Union’s Single-UsePlastics Directive and similar legislationbeing planned in North America and elsewhere is now seeing a range of initiatives that promise tochange the face of the $90 billionmarkets for AHPs.While biofuels remain the main

alternative focus of the oil industry, ourreport on page 28 outlines a markedswing towards the development of newbiopolymers, bioplastics and bio-basedsynthetic fibres that is attractingsignificant new investments. Consumer product brands and retailers

at the other end of the long supply chainare also highly active, and new start-ups– notably in the field of alternativecellulosic fibres derived primarily fromcotton-rich waste clothing – as well asplastic recycling projects, are suddenlyfinding it easy to attract new investors.Admittedly, the scale of making the

AHPs market in any way sustainable, let alone circular, should not be underestimated, but it is increasinglyapparent that we are on the right track.

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Deputy editor Tony Whitfield | [email protected]

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANELDr George Kellie, Kellie SolutionsVanessa Knowles, Pebble InternationalEd Krisiunas, WNWN (Waste Not, Want Not)John Mowbray, Ecotextile NewsColin Purvis, Purvis Consulting SCS.Stephen J. Russell, Nonwovens Research Group, University of Leeds.Dr Karl-Michael Schumann, InnovatorenGruppeLarry C. Wadsworth, US Pacific NonwovensVicki Barbur, Advanced Innovation

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ISSN: 2049-9043

February / March 2021 | Sustainable Nonwovens | 1

Haydn Davis, Editor

On the right track

Editorial-Feb-March-2021_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:07 Page 1

Insight 24 Bio-based polymers set the pace

A new report from shows that for the first time, the growth rate for bio-based polymers is higher than fossil-based polymermarket growth.

28 Levels of complexity Examining the latest progress in providing the absorbent hygiene products industry with more sustainable feedstocks.

32 Far from pulp fiction Innovations in cellulosic fibres derived from textile and clothing waste are poised for commercialisation in 2021.

34 Fermented focus A $101.4 million US project with Archer-Daniels-Midland will usher Spiber’s Brewed Protein into the mainstream.

35 All systems go for Infinited Finish technology developer moves quickly to commercialise its cellulose carbamate fibres.

Features17 Media savvy

The nonwovens industry is benefitting from a growing demand for increasingly effective air filtration technology in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

22 Biosphere expands Biosphere is expanding its range of hygiene products with the installation of a diaper line from Andritz Diatec.

36 Greener options influence investment driveSustainability issues are playing an increasingly significant role in fabric manufacturers' buying decisions.

41 Seems like team spirit New developments and new alliances are continuing to lead the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

46 UK recycling scheme for tree sheltersTubex, a division of the leading nonwovens producer Berry Global, has launched the first tree-shelter recycling scheme in the UK.

Every issue4 Nonwovens News 50 Material Matters 56 People57 Trade shows and conferences

www.nonwovensnews.com

2 | Sustainable Nonwovens | February / March 2021

Contents-Feb-March-2021_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:15 Page 2


SUSTAINABLE NONWOVENS

Levels of complexityCan sustainable feedstocks

transform the AHP industry?

MMeeddiiaa ssaavvvvyyFocus on filtration

EEccoo iinnvveessttmmeenntt Green issues drive technology spending

PPaaccee sseettttiinnggRecord growth for biopolymers

Technical Innovation and Industry Best PracticePublished by

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CONTENTS


Contents-Feb-March-2021_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:15 Page 3

NONWOVENS

NEWSLATEST INDUSTRY NEWS FROMW W W . N O N W O V E N S N E W S . C O M



EDANA welcomes rules oforigin agreementBRUSSELS - EDANA has welcomed the Trade & CooperationAgreement (TCA) signed in December 2020 between theEuropean Union and the UK and, in particular, its specific rulesof origin for nonwovens. The most recent available figures cover 2019, when the UK

exported nonwoven roll goods worth €96 million to the EU,while export traffic in the other direction reached a value of€280 million. The UK remains the second biggest trade partnerfor EU local manufacturers after the US.Welcoming the TCA, Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market

Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, said that the agreementnot only guaranteed that nonwoven roll goods will be able tocontinue to travel between EU member states and UK withoutcustoms duties, but also recognized that a nonwoven process issufficient to confer the origin on the product. “In order toqualify for the zero preferential tariff under the EU-UK Tradeand Cooperation Agreement, products classified in HS 5603must originate in the EU or the United Kingdom,” he said.“According to the specific rule for nonwovens, devised andpromoted by EDANA, and included in the TCA, any nonwovensproduced locally will be considered as originating in the EU orUnited Kingdom, even if it has been produced using non-originating materials.

“Obviously, EDANA member companies can contact me and Iwill be pleased to guide them through the procedure to claim apreferential import tariff.”Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA added: “In this

news, I see two key achievements and subjects of satisfactionfor nonwoven producers whom we value as the core ofEDANA’s membership. “On one hand, the ability for all of them to keep doing

‘business as usual’, or even expand trade opportunities,whether they trade from the EU or the UK, and on the otherhand, the official recognition, hopefully once and for all, of thefact that manufacturing nonwoven roll goods is a substantialenough operation to confer origin status of the country wherethe resulting goods are obtained. This latter event marksanother step in the independence of the nonwovens industryfrom the traditional textile customs rules which too oftenunnecessarily constrained its development.”

Glatfelter acquiresGeorgia-Pacific’s USnonwovens business CHARLOTTE - Glatfelter has agreed a deal to purchase Georgia-Pacific’s U.S. nonwovens business for US$175 million. The dealincludes Georgia-Pacific’s Mount Holly, North Carolina, airlaidmanufacturing business and an R&D pilot line for nonwovensproduct development in Memphis, Tennessee, which collectivelyemploy approximately 150 people. The Mount Holly facility has a capacity of 37,000 metric tons

and produces high-quality airlaid products focused on wipesand tabletop materials. The R&D pilot line and additionaltechnical resources will enhance ongoing innovation efforts,Glatfelter said.The deal follows Glatfelter’s 2018 acquisition of Georgia-

Pacific’s European nonwovens business, which includedmanufacturing assets in Steinfurt, Germany, along with salesoffices located in France and Italy.“The agreement to acquire Georgia-Pacific’s U.S. nonwovens

EU27 NONWOVENS TRADE WITH THE UK (MIO €)

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NONWOVENS NEWS

business further reinforces our commitment to invest ingrowth opportunities as part of Glatfelter’s ongoing transfor-mation while also expanding our operating footprint in theUnited States,” said Dante C. Parrini, chairman and chiefexecutive officer of Glatfelter. “Our airlaid business hasdelivered strong results throughout an unprecedented 2020.The Mount Holly facility, along with the R&D pilot line, willallow us to continue to build on this success and better serveour customers.”Georgia-Pacific’s U.S. nonwovens business generates annual

net sales and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $100 millionand $20 million, respectively. Glatfelter said it expected torealize annual cost synergies of approximately $4 million to $6million within three years and incur one-time costs of approxi-mately $10 million for transaction fees and integration.Glatfelter plans to finance the acquisition through a

combination of cash on hand and borrowing under its existingrevolving credit facility.The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions,

including receipt of required regulatory clearances.

Berry investment toaddress wipes shortage EVANSVILLE - Nonwovens manufacturer Berry Global is toinvest more than US$70 million in its United States wipesubstrate capabilities as it looks to meet a long-term increasein demand. The investment includes a new line, producing additional

capacity, and enabling the company to better serve its global customers as well as support the continuing growthof its business. Berry supplies many of the world’s leading brands with wipe

materials for infection prevention. Prior to the demand surgeof 2020, the impregnated wet wipes segment, specific forhome cleaning and disinfecting, was growing at 6% in the2014 to 2019 time frame. Amplified by COVID-19 prevention,the demand for disinfectant wipes is expected to havepermanently shifted to its current, increased use.The investment, which has a targeted commercialization

date of the March quarter 2023, is complementary to Berry’sexisting portfolio and features the company’s proprietarySpinlace technology. Spinlace technology is a highly efficient process that

incorporates almost limitless material inputs, including pulp,with high-speed hydroentanglement. Additionally, Berry’sproprietary Apex technology is combined with Spinlace toimpart customizable three-dimensional images directly intothe fabric to provide differentiated functional and aestheticattributes. The Apex process improves strength, pick up or laydown of liquids, and improves visuals versus traditionalmanufacturing methods.The line will be flexible in its production capabilities, with

the ability to supply materials for wipes, filtration, personalcare incontinence, and healthcare applications.


Andritz to supplyspunlace line for MinetGRAZ - International technology Group Andritz has received an order tosupply a neXline spunlace eXcelle line to Minet S.A, based in RamnicuValcéa, Romania, for processing various fibres from 25 to 70 gsm toproduce a wide range of hygiene products.Start-up is expected during the second quarter of 2022.The production capacity of the line, which will be the first of its kind inRomania, will be 10,000 tons a year, while the operating speed will beup to 250 m/min and the maximum output at the carding outletaround 1,500 kg/h.Andritz will deliver a complete line, from web forming to drying. The linewill integrate one high-speed TT card, the robust Jetlace Essentielhydroentanglement unit equipped with a neXecodry S1 system forenergy saving, and a neXdry double-drum through-air dryer.Cristian Niculae, Commercial Director at Minet, said: “The Minet group isa company with a long-term vision and sustainable growth. Our strategyhas always been to identify and fully meet market needs. The mainreason why we decided in favor of a spunlace process was the fastdevelopment of our local wipes market recently. Romania should havespunlace nonwovens, so Minet – as the local frontrunner in nonwovens– has decided to become the first factory there using this technology.”The close collaboration between Andritz and Minet in needlepunch wasan important consideration in the choice of supplier for the spunlaceline as well as the fact that Andrıtz is recognized as a key benchmarkfor production of premium spunlace roll goods.Just recently, Andritz successfully completed the commissioning of aneXline needlepunch eXcelle line for Minet. This line is dedicated to theproduction of automotive products made from a large variety of fibres.For this contract, Andritz delivered a complete line from fibrepreparation to end-of-line, also integrating card, crosslapper, battdrafter, two needlelooms and a Zeta felt drafter with a working width ofmore than 6m.The line is also equipped with the unique ProDyn web profiling system,operating as a closed-loop control system in order to ensure perfectevenness of the products.Founded in 1983, Minet is a major producer of nonwovens in Romaniaand serves more than 1,000 customers. The company delivers about20 million sqm of needlepunched felts per year and offers products withthe highest quality standard and which are used in many differentfields, such as automotive, geotextiles, and wadding.


World first for Kelheimwith EMAS accreditationKELHEIM - Kelheim Fibres has become the first viscose fibremanufacturer worldwide to receive EMAS certification, amanagement system that aims to certify the complete environ-mental performance of a company.EMAS stands for “Eco Management and Audit Scheme” and

is a standardised eco management certification systemdeveloped by the European Union. EMAS includes the globallyapplicable ISO 14001 standard and goes beyond itsrequirements by demanding more transparency and continuousimprovement. Certified companies report in their annual EMASEnvironmental Statement on their environmental goals and theirprogress in meeting them.“Our aspiration is that our fibres offer an eco-friendly and

high-performance alternative to synthetic materials,” said CraigBarker, CEO at Kelheim Fibres. “So, it’s not enough that ourfibres are made from renewable resources and that they arefully biodegradable – our environmental awareness mustinclude the whole production process and all that goes with it ifwe want to safeguard our credibility. The EMAS certificationproves that we take this responsibility seriously.”During the audit preceding the certification, the independent

environmental auditor thoroughly investigated all departmentsof the company, from the production itself to the companycanteen. The inspection found no non-conformances and wasimpressed by the competence and the high sense of responsi-bility among Kelheim’s employees.In contrast to the EU Ecolabel and similar certifications, EMAS

does not apply to individual products or services, but certifies thecomplete environmental performance of the company. This

NONWOVENS NEWS

Freudenberg introduces ECO-CHECK WEINHEIM - Freudenberg Performance Materials has begun using the Eco-Check label to identifyparticularly sustainable products within its portfolio. It is hoped that the use of the label will help customers quickly and clearly identify sustainable productswhich meet demanding criteria in at least one of four categories: Saving resources, eco-efficiency forcustomers, reduced environmental impact at the end of the product’s life, or extended durability.“The Eco-Check label quickly and accurately indicates to our customers at a glance that therelevant product offers a significant advantage in terms of environmental protection compared to our standard products or those of ourcompetitors,” explained John McNabb, CTO Freudenberg Performance Materials. “A Freudenberg product bearing the Eco Check label fulfills at least one of four demanding environmental aspects: 1) Its manufacture saves resources;2) It improves the manufacturing footprint of our customers; 3) It is recyclable, biodegradable or can be disposed of in an environmentally friendlymanner after use. 4) Certain features contribute to a long service life of the product.”Many of Freudenberg’s products bearing the Eco-Check label contain a high proportion of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), derived forexample from plastic bottles. In this case, the most important environmental advantage is the reduction in CO2 emissions. Typical examples of products offering this benefit arecarpet backings and components for shoes and clothing, including comfortemp materials.According to Freudenberg, increased durability, raw material savings and improved eco-efficiency for customers are the main features of numerousfabrics from the Evolon range, which are used by consumers in the form of bed linen, bath towels and reusable cleaning cloths, for example.The Eco-Check label also demonstrates the significant sustainability advantage of a small number of manufacturing and processing steps for aparticular healthcare product: a hydrophilic PU foam with a direct coating of silicone adhesives, which is used in modern wound care.


benefits not only the protection of the environment and climate,but also the improvement of a company’s Eco efficiency.“An efficient environmental management system ensures

that economy and ecology go hand in hand – that gives us adecisive competitive edge,” Barker added.Kelheim’s viscose speciality fibres are used in range of diverse

applications from fashion, hygiene and medical products tononwovens and speciality papers.All products are made from 100% wood pulp from PEFC or

FSC certified sources.They are fully biodegradable and offer an environmentally

sound alternative to petroleum-based materials in a broadrange of different end products – while maintaining or evenenhancing the functional performance of the product.The production takes place exclusively in Germany and

complies with the strict German environmental legislation.

Rockline to increase wipes capacitySHEBOYGAN - Rockline Industries has announced plans toincrease capacity at three of its wet wipe manufacturingfacilities across the US.The US$18 million investment will see high-capacity wet wipe

production lines at its sites in Springdale, Russellville and inBooneville, all located in the state of Arkansas.Announcing the plans, Ron Kerscher, senior vice president of

sales and marketing for Rockline said the increased capacitywould lead to the creation of around 100 jobs. “Rockline hasbeen proud to be a part of the Arkansas community for manyyears and we are excited to be bringing new jobs and new �


When it comes to keeping our natural resources clean, cotton has always been a leader in the field. Unlike petroleum-based synthetic fibers, all-natural cotton biodegrades in water.1 So choosing cotton means less plastic pollution in our oceans, our rivers, our food and our bodies.2 It’s the fiber that’s helping grow a cleaner future.

AMERICA’S COTTON PRODUCERS AND IMPORTERS. Service Marks/ Trademarks of Cotton Incorporated. © 2020 Cotton Incorporated.

1: THE GENERATION AND AQUATIC BIODEGRADATION OF MICROFIBERES PRODUCED FROM LAUNDERING FABRICS. Zambrano, M., et al. NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. Cotton Incorporated, Cary, NC, USA.* 76% in waste water after 250 days with continued degradation projected. 2: Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Worldwide: Sources and Sinks. Mark Anthony Browne, et al. Environmental Science & Technology 2011 45 (21), 9175-9179. DOI: 10.1021/es201811s

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Techtextil North Americatargets August returnATLANTA - Techtextil North America returns to Raleigh, NorthCarolina, this August as it looks to reunite an industry keen forin-person business interactions.Scheduled for August 23-25, 2021, the show’s theme this

year is “Accelerating Technology” and aims to highlight thetextile industry’s high level of innovation and contribution to theglobal supply chain through advanced technology. North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles –

internationally renowned as a leader in the field of textileeducation and innovation – will again serve as the OfficialAcademic Partner, with several members of the college’s facultyalso seated on the show’s Advisory Council.Selected for their industry knowledge and expertise, the

Advisory Council acts as a support to the management team inthe planning and execution of the Techtextil North AmericaSymposium and other educational content and show features,which, in line with the show’s theme, will heavily focus onadvanced technology in textile design, development and end-to-end manufacturing.Techtextil North America first landed in Raleigh February 26-

28, 2019, a decision made in order to bring the event back tothe heart of the textile industry. Moving the show from its 2017location in Chicago to the Southeast proved popular among theindustry, making the 2019 edition the highest attended odd-year show to date.For more information on the upcoming edition of Techtextil

North America, August 23-25 in Raleigh, North Carolina, pleasevisit www.techtextilna.com.

P&G boosted by baby &feminine care sectorsCINCINNATI - The Procter & Gamble Company has reportedsecond quarter fiscal year 2021 net sales of $19.7 billion, anincrease of 8% compared to the previous year, helped by a solidperformance from the Baby, Feminine and Family Care segment.Net earnings were $3.9 billion, up 4% compared to the

second quarter in 2020.The Baby segment saw organic sales increase 6% compared

to the same period last year, driven by growth in North Americaand devaluation-related price increases in certain regions. Thiswas partially offset by market contraction in certain regions dueto the pandemic and competitive activity. Feminine Care organic sales increased mid-single digits driven

by positive product mix due to premium innovation growth inNorth America and Greater China and devaluation-related priceincreases in certain regions. Family Care organic sales increaseddouble digits driven by consumption increases as consumersspend more time at home during the pandemic.“We delivered another strong quarter of results across all key

measures – top line, bottom line and cash,” said David Taylor,

Johns Manville unveilsglass fibre recycling unitDENVER – Johns Manville has installed a €10 million thermalrecycling unit for waste glass fibres at its Engineered Products plantin Trnava, Slovakia.The investment will enable Johns Manville to drastically reduce theamount of glass fibre waste that is usually sent to landfill.“The primary goal of this investment is to achieve a tangible positiveenvironmental impact by drastically reducing the landfilling of glassfiber waste,” explained Elena Hrivikova, manager for Environment,Health and Safety – Europe/Asia. “This project is part of our responseto the European Commission’s zero waste program and our overalltarget for sustainable management of the planet’s natural resources.”The new Trnava unit has a projected recycling capacity of more than 3 tons per hour and consists of a warehousing area, feeding andtransportation equipment, shredder, burning chamber and milling. After processing, the recycled glass powder is free of organic particlesand re-fed as raw material into the glass production process on-site,thereby achieving a closed production loop. The project will keep morethan ten thousand tons of waste out of the landfill each year;equivalent to one large truck every day.“We have invested nearly €10 million into state-of-the-art technologyand made sure the recycling capacity will allow further glass fibreproduction capacity growth in Trnava. The investment is anothermilestone of Johns Manville’s strong commitment to environmentallyresponsible manufacturing operations,” added Martin Nywlt, directorof Global Operations for JM’s Engineered Products business.



opportunities to our local communities,” Kerscher, said. “As aresult of the COVID-19 pandemic millions of consumers havebeen introduced to the convenience of personal care wipes.This has led to a dramatic increase in consumer demand forthese products.” Rockline, which is headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

employs nearly 2,500 people worldwide.



chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We remainfocused on executing our strategies of superiority, productivity,constructive disruption and improving P&G’s organization andculture. These strategies enabled us to build strong businessmomentum before the COVID crisis, accelerated our progress incalendar year 2020 and remain the right strategies to deliverbalanced growth and value creation over the long term.”Looking ahead, P&G has raised its outlook for fiscal 2021 all-

in sales growth from a range of 3-4% to a range of 5-6%.

Glatfelter awarded ‘Fine to Flush’ certificate CHARLOTTE - Glatfelter has received the Fine to Flush certificatefrom Water UK for its improved nonwoven substrate used indispersible wipes and moist toilet tissues.The product was independently tested by the technical

experts at the Water Research Center Limited (WRc), anindependent Center of Excellence for innovation and growth,who have been at the forefront of research into wet wipes andtheir subsequent impact on water networks. Glatfelter is nowexpanding its already GD4 certified portfolio to offer a fullrange of customized dispersible wipes substrates.“This project is an excellent example of Glatfelter’s dynamic

innovation coupled with our deep commitment to develop eco-friendly solutions that will enhance everyday life for millions ofpeople around the world,” said Chris Astley, senior vice president,chief commercial officer,” adding that Glatfelter’s dispersible wipessubstrates begin to disintegrate immediately when flushed and willnot harm sewage systems or block pumps at water treatmentstations. In addition to being fine to flush, the product is free ofchemicals or binders and is 100% biodegradable, he said.

In addition to the company’s dispersible wipes that are Fine toFlush, Glatfelter produces a full portfolio of substrates foreveryday use ranging from personal and home, including babywipes, moist toilet tissues, and household surface wipes, toindustrial applications for cleaning and sanitizing wipes.

Minet invests in Aeris airtreatment technologyBERGAMO - A new spunlace line for Romanian nonwovensmanufacturer Minet will be equipped with the latest InductionHumidification System from Aeris Group.The technology from Aeris, which operates in the air-

conditioning, heating and filtration markets, will ensure airquality, ambient filtration and air treatment around the newAndritz line.The IHS system offers a number of advantages compared to

the traditional humidification systems such as the elimination ofpossible proliferation of bacteria and mucilage, the removal ofpossible corrosion risks of the components and the eliminationof any risk of condensation.It also offers homogenous temperature and humidity values

along the whole line and in the treated ambient area, a totalrecovery of all the endogenous heat produced in the room(motors, lighting, etc.); and also ensures that there are noobstacles in the room because you do not have diffusers at floorlevel, close by the operators and process line.Further benefits include the possibility of introducing air at

low temperature directly without condensation problems andwithout the creation of fastidious airflow at low temperatures.There is also a complete absence of wastewater and fewerpipes in the production department.

NONWOVENS NEWS

Shemesh invests in new US facilityGREEN BAY - Shemesh Automation has responded to an increased demand from its NorthAmerican customer base with the purchase of a new site for its US subsidiary, Shemesh USA Inc.The Israeli firm will use the 43,055 square-foot site in Green Bay, Wisconsin to house its completespare parts inventory, a 200ppm complete wet wipes packaging demonstration line includingrotary liquid filling, conduction sealing, rolls stuffing and labeling machines.Shemesh USA Inc’s Director of North American Operations, Mark Calliari, said the investment wasindicative of the converting specialist’s commitment to driving excellence and supporting itscustomers. “When businesses grow as rapidly as Shemesh has in North America in recent years, itcan be easy to forget the values that underpinned that growth,” he said. “Not so at Shemesh. Theinvestment in our impressive Green Bay facility, the full inventory of parts, demonstration line, andof course the growing team are all indicative of our commitment to driving excellence andsupporting our customers on their journey. “When you buy Shemesh, you are not just buying top-of-the-line machinery, you are buying into a long-term partnership – our significant investmentin US-based personnel and now our Green Bay facility is testament to that.”Shemesh Automation’s sales director, North America, Bob Green added: “At Shemesh, we very cognizant of the importance of reinvesting in the areasthat catalyzed our rapid growth in the first place – namely providing unparalleled service to our customers. In North America, our philosophy is nodifferent – we promise to be there for all of our customers when they need us the most. The purchase of our new facility in Green Bay is a significantinvestment which solidifies our commitment to continued growth and industry-leading customer service.”


a mission of educating consumers about responsible andsmart flushing habits.Formed to address the need for long-term solutions to the

problems in the US’s wastewater systems, Responsible FlushingAlliance - established with 501(c)(6) - has appointed Lara Wyssas its president. Wyss comes to the role with more than 20years of experience in communications and public relations,with an emphasis on environmental affairs and the consumerproducts industry.The first initiative that Wyss will spearhead for the

Responsible Flushing Alliance is a consumer and industryeducation campaign to raise awareness about the properdisposal practices for non-flushable products and to advocatefor the prominent placement of “Do Not Flush” labels on non-flushable products.Initially, the campaign will focus on California where

the Responsible Flushing Alliance has partnered with the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) to develop an industry-led, statewide awareness campaign in California.“Just because an item can clear a toilet bowl, doesn’t mean it

should be flushed,” Wyss said. “We’re looking forward toworking with California’s sanitation and wastewater industriesto raise awareness about what not to flush to keep ourinfrastructure operational.”The Alliance will also expand efforts nationwide through

partnerships with other wastewater and sanitation stakeholders.“The creation of the Responsible Flushing Alliance as anindependent nonprofit organization allows us to better

Solar power for Ontex in SpainVALVERDE DEL MAJANO – Absorbent hygiene leader Ontex has inaugurated what is the largest solar rooftop in the region at its plant in Segovia, Spain.The installation was developed and financed by Menapy and will produce 3.9 GWh of electricity per year – equivalent to the yearly consumption of about1,000 households. The rooftop solar panels cover more than 20 per cent of the Segovia plant’s electricity demand, and offset 1,500 tons of CO2 per year.“We can now produce a large part of the electricity we need to manufacture essential hygiene goods,” said Annick De Poorter, Ontex vice president forR&D, quality and sustainability. “This is another step towards our goal to have carbon neutral operations by 2030. We will reach this goal through on-site renewable energy production, energy savings, purchasing energy from renewable sources, and carbon offsets via reforestation projects. “Since 2017, all of Ontex’s European factories in nine countries run 100 per cent on electricity from renewable sources, combining on-site productionand purchasing of renewable electricity via Energy Attribute Certificates (EAC’s). Seventy per cent of Ontex manufacturing plants on five continents runon electricity from renewable sources.”“This project marks an important milestone for Menapy in the Iberian market,” added Menapy managing partner Tom Pollyn. “It crystallizes our long-term experience in industrial rooftop solar projects in Belgium and it confirms that our ‘Solar as a Service’ can bring important added value to high-consuming industries in Spain. Ontex has clear and ambitious goals in sustainability and saving on energy costs, and with this project we help themachieve both, without the investment.”

NONWOVENS NEWS

Essity recognised withsustainability rankingSTOCKHOLM - Hygiene and health company Essity has beenrecognized as one of the world’s 100 most sustainablecompanies by Corporate Knights. The list was announced virtually during the recent World

Economic Forum.The Global 100 list represents the top 1% of companies in

the world in terms of sustainability performance. CorporateKnights analyzes and compares 8,080 companies withminimum gross revenue of US$1 billion against global industrypeers. The ranking is based on 24 quantitative key performanceindicators, including resource management, employeemanagement, financial management, clean revenue & cleaninvestment and supplier performance.

Nonwovens firms join Responsible Flushing AllianceSEATTLE - A number of leading companies from thenonwovens supply chain, in partnership with the wastewaterand sanitation industries, have come together to form theResponsible Flushing Alliance, an independent nonprofit with


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The new reality of OUTLOOK™!

A rich programme of 25+ papers, live one-on-one and company meetings, group discussions and much more

Topics will include:– Innovation & product development– Wipes– Sustainability/Circularity– Testing– Super absorbent– PPE and facemasks– EU Medical Device Regulation

21 – 23 April, 2021

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now being exported acrossEurope to Sweden, theNetherlands and Ireland.Callaly’s multiple-award

winning Tampliner was recentlyrecognised as a “next-gentampon” in TIME’s 100 BestInventions of 2020 - its annual listof the 100 Best Inventions thatare making the world better,smarter and even a bit more fun.Callaly’s founder and CEO,

Thang Vo-Ta said: “We are excitedthat Callaly was able to receive510K clearance from the US Foodand Drug Administration, opening up the important US marketfor our Tampliner, now earmarked for launch in Summer 2021.We are committed to delivering innovative period care productsthat truly meet the needs of people with periods, throughdedicated innovations that are highly differentiated and adhereto the highest possible standards.”

EDANA acceptingsubmissions for Outlook 2021BRUSSELS - EDANA is now accepting submissions for Outlook2021 programme, which will take place online from April 21-23.This year’s event will be a fully interactive digital gathering

featuring a wide range of expert insights, knowledge sharing,one-on-one networking and facilitated meetings with peers toensure plentiful business development opportunities.

Jacob Holm to expand spunlace capacity Candler – Jacob Holm is to upgrade an existing spunlace line at its plant in Candler, North Carolina as it looks to increase its use of sustainable raw materials.The additional capacity comes in addition to the significant Project Boost capacity investment announced in June 2020, which is on track to becompleted as scheduled, with significant equipment installations currently progressing as planned at all sites.The new equipment in Candler is expected to launch by December 2021 and will target further expansion of sustainable products, including moreefficiency in running natural and innovative fibres.According to Jacob Holm, this new tranche of investment to increase spunlace capacity underpins the company’s commitment to support the growthof its customers and to continue to play a key role in the industry while targeting its partners’ needs for growing volumes of sustainable productofferings and co-innovation abilities. “We so appreciate the hard work of our team members who have been critical in making this happen, as well aslocal officials in Buncombe County, North Carolina, for their unwavering support of local businesses,” said company CEO Martin Mikkelsen.

focus on our mission to elevate consumer awareness of howsmart flushing behavior in the bathroom impacts the overallhealth of our homes, and ultimately our communities,” addedBecky Johnson, the Responsible Flushing Alliance’s BoardChairman and Global Public Policy Director at Kimberly Clark.“The Responsible Flushing Alliance is committed to contributingreal solutions by working with the wastewater and sanitationindustries to educate consumers about making smart flushingdecisions. To be successful, this effort will take all stakeholdersworking together. We invite others to join us.”Members of the alliance include Albaad, Center for Baby

and Adult Hygiene Products, Essity, First Quality, GeorgiaPacific, Johnson & Johnson, Jacob Holm, Kelheim Fibres,Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Nehemiah Manufacturing, Nice-Pak, Procter & Gamble, Rockline Industries, SellarsNonwovens, and Suominen Corporation.

FDA clearance for Callaly’s TamplinerLONDON - Callaly has received clearance from the U.S. Foodand Drug Administration (FDA) for its award-winning Tampliner,an organic cotton tampon with a built-in mini-liner.The Tampliner sees a regular tampon attached to the mini

pantyliner with a patented virtual applicator for clean insertion,removal and protection against leaks. The Tampliner, which is designed and manufactured in the UK

and launched in February 2020, was invented by Dr Alex Hooi,a senior British gynecologist and Fellow of the Royal College ofObstetricians and Gynecologists and developed by garmenttechnologist Ewa Radziwon, who trained at London College ofFashion. The product is protected by four granted patentfamilies covering 80% of the US$34 billion global market. It is




For this edition, EDANA is now welcoming papers on:• Innovation and product development• Wet Wipes• Sustainability and Circularity topics• PPE & Facemasks• EU Medical Device RegulationThis year’s event will also feature a number dedicated sessionson healthcare and medical developments, a sector in whichthe role of nonwovens has been highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic.Other highlights will include: 40+ papers, live interaction with

speakers, panel discussions, roundtables and personalizedcompany space. There will also be product presentations, one-on-one chats and video meetings, company meetings andmultiple networking opportunities.For further details go to the EDANA website -

https://www.edana.org

Nice-Pak to construct new facilityMOORESVILLE - Wipes manufacturer Nice-Pak has signed anagreement to begin construction on a new facility inMooresville, USA which will boast a host of environmentallyfriendly features. The 1.2 million-square-foot facility, which will house

manufacturing and a distribution centre at a single location, willrepresent a US$165 million investment that will result in 150additional jobs in Morgan County by 2024, and employ up to800 associates when fully operational.“Our new investment in Mooresville is an important milestone

in our mission of helping the world stay healthy and well,” saidRobert Julius, Chairman and CEO of Nice-Pak. “ We could notthink of a better partner than the Mooresville community in ourongoing efforts to meet the increasing demand for wipes -essential products in helping to protect against COVID-19.”The current facility will remain open and part of Nice-Pak’s

overall manufacturing footprint. Construction of the newlocation is slated to begin in March 2021, with a targetoccupation date in May 2022.The state-of-the-art facility will remain zero landfill as part

of Nice-Pak’s “war on waste” that includes more efficientenergy and water use, and a reduction of greenhouse gasemissions. Designed by ARCO Design/Build in Indianapolis,the facility will boast a sustainability profile with plans fornatural and LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, eco-friendlylandscaping, high-efficiency HVAC systems, low VOC paintsand floor coverings, and a white roof to reject heat gain. Thebuilding will be constructed from local concrete andregionally-sourced, heavily-recycled content steel. The currentNice-Pak facility boasts world-class safety performance thatunderscores Nice-Pak’s commitment to health and wellbeingat their production facilities.Nice-Pak says it is continuing to respond to the unprecedented

need for wipes - essential in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.


NONWOVENS NEWS

Certified alternatives tosynthetics from CanadaVICTORIA – Bast Fibre Technologies Inc., (BFTi) has been awarded acritical suite of certifications signifying its One and Sero trademarkedtechnical natural linen and hemp fibres are truly sustainablealternatives for the nonwovens industry. The Canadian cleantech fibre engineering firm is focused on thedevelopment and commercialisation of IP protected natural fibresand is working with bast plants, some of nature’s most efficientcarbon sequesters.The recent introduction of plastics legislation in many countries,combined with increasing global concern about deforestation, isforcing the nonwovens industry to look for alternatives to syntheticand pulp-derived fibres, the company says.BFTi’s fibres are now officially designated free of plastics and harmfulchemicals and have received recognition as a ‘BioPreferred NextGeneration Solution’ with a very low environmental impact rating. In addition, BFTi abides by harmful substance regulations such as theEuropean REACH and California Prop 65 regulations. “These certifications clearly illustrate BFTi’s commitment to deliveringboth high-quality and truly-sustainable natural fibres,” said Jim Posa,president of BFTi. “Synthetics have been the default fibres in theindustry for decades and these certifications now give our customersthe confidence to accelerate their transition to sustainable fibres.” Bast fibres offer many compelling performance advantages over andabove their excellent sustainability profile. These stem from the naturalrole the fibres play as nutrient highways within the plant. These superiorfluid handling and distribution properties flow through to the nonwovenfabrics and ultimately to better performance for the consumer. “With these critical certifications in hand, we are excited to make thetransition to a commercial stage enterprise with the official launch ofour One fibre this year,” said Noel Hall, BFTi CEO and chairman.www.bastfibretech.com

The company recently received EPA approval for claims that itsdisinfectant wipes demonstrate efficacy against the virus thatcauses COVID-19. The company has also introduced a newgraphics and branding strategy for their Nice ‘N CLEAN wipes,covering the baby, hand, flushable and surface categories. Theprogram supports market-leading performance products with acomprehensive wellbeing and sustainability platform.


H.B. Fuller adhesive for natural-basedhygiene articlesZURICH - H.B. Fuller has introduced a new Eco Passport-certified,cotton bonding adhesive solution, which aims to address theincreasing demand for more natural-based hygiene products.Cotton and viscose swell when wet, making them more challenging tobond. In response, H.B Fuller’s technicians have developed Full-Care5885, a high wet-strength adhesive that allows manufacturers toconfidently switch to natural substrates like 100% cotton and viscosewithout having to significantly increase coat weight.“Around the world, while consumers of disposable hygiene productsare seeking more environmentally-friendly products, H.B. Fulleradvanced technologies and expertise are ready to help manufacturersoperate in a more sustainable way,” explained H.B. Fuller’s Dr. StefanEller, EIMEA Technical Service Manager. “One good example is our newhigh wet strength, low odour and light colour Full Care 5885 adhesivesolution, which offers great value by combining high-performance100% cotton bonding at low cost in use.” This new adhesive solution is said to enable hygiene producers to meetdemands for more sustainable products. It not only provides high-performance cotton bonding at low cost in use, but has an optimizedviscosity profile, allowing application at lower temperatures, ease ofuse for application set up and optimal line efficiency. In the current times of consumers demanding more ingredienttransparency, H.B. Fuller says that Full-Care 5885 offers extra assuranceas it meets the certification requirement of the Eco Passport by Oekotex,the independent certification system now being increasingly used by thehygiene industry to show ecological responsibility. As Eller notes, cotton-based articles are in high-demand and it’s a trendset to continue apace. With its soft, breathable properties, it is alreadythe world’s most widely used natural fibre and it is therefore no surprisethat it is increasingly regarded by multiple markets as the natural choicefor baby diapers and feminine care products. “Full-Care 5885 is suitablefor all standard machines and application types – including slot, spiraland spray – while combining optimized rheological profile for clean andconsistent application,” he added. “It’s an innovative hot melt adhesivethat provides robust solutions for our customers and the nextgeneration of sustainable goods.”

INDA releases new NorthAmerican outlook report CARY – INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industryhas released a new industry outlook report, North AmericanNonwovens Industry Outlook, 2019-2024.This report marks INDA’s eleventh analysis of the

nonwoven/engineered materials market since its first overviewof the industry in 1995. INDA’s exclusive content providesanalysis across all of the nonwoven end-use markets,including 133 disposable and 129 durable categories, toprovide the most comprehensive and accurate view availableof the total North American nonwovens industry. Detailedsupply (capacity, production, and trade flows) and demanddata are presented for the North American industry for 2014,2019, and a forecast for 2024.INDA designed this report to support strategic business

planning and decision-making using INDA’s proprietary demandmodel of 262 nonwoven categories. The projections in thereport were made by analyzing current market trends anddriving forces to highlight the market potential in terms of dollarvalue, units, and volume in both square meters and tonnage.Dave Rousse, INDA President, said: “This report provides the

most actionable insights available on demand prospects in themost important disposable and durable market segments. Noother report has the primary data that INDA gathers, makingthis the most reliable and definitive view of the industry through2024. Anyone who must assess, understand, and manage theassets of an organization would benefit from this essentialbusiness planning tool.”Brad Kalil, the report author and INDA’s Director of Market

Intelligence & Economic Insights, said: “This is a great time to bein nonwovens…statistically and emotively. North Americannonwoven production growth exceeded U.S. Real GDP growthfor the sixth consecutive year. Production growth exceededcapacity growth for the third consecutive year and industry’soverall operating rate in 2019 improved for the third consecutiveyear. Nonwovens are a healthy business that attracts investmentand performs best when it manages its capacity growth sensibly.The information in this report is intended to advance that cause.”The 350-page report — including 166 figures and 95 tables

— is available for $3,500 for INDA Members, and $5,000 forNon-members. To purchase the report, contact INDA,[email protected]; T: +1 919 459 3700, or www.inda.org/store.

Andritz to acquire LarocheGRAZ - International technology Group Andritz is adding arange of fibre processing technologies to its nonwovensmanufacturing offering with the acquisition of LM Industries,comprising Laroche SA and Miltec SA, France. Andritz will take over all Laroche entities and their business

worldwide. Closing of the transaction, which is subject toapproval by the Andritz Supervisory Board, is expected at thebeginning of 2021. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.




Based in Cours, France, Laroche isa major supplier of fibre processingtechnologies such as opening,blending and dosing, airlay webforming, textile waste recycling anddecortication of bast fibres. The product portfolio further

complements the AndritzNonwoven product range with thecompany now able to offer thecomplete supply and value chain,from the raw material, to openingand blending, web forming,bonding, finishing, drying, and converting. Laroche’s high-performance technologies for opening and

blending will also enhance the Andritz scope of supply forspunlace, needlepunch and wetlaid production lines. Moreover,both companies have agreed to further strengthen thedevelopment of their existing technologies for high-speed andhigh-capacity applications and also to continue pursuing thedevelopment of textile recycling processes in order to stayahead of the changes the industry is facing.

NONWOVENS NEWS


Laroche SA has been developingfibre processing technologies formore than 100 years. Withintegrated manufacturing, thecompany supplies lines for a widerange of industries/products:spinning, bedding and furniture,automotive, acoustic and thermalinsulation, geotextiles, filtration,wipes, and many more.Announcing the deal, Robert

Laroche, president of Laroche said:“This acquisition is the logical

conclusion in view of the successful long-term relationshipbetween Andritz and Laroche. We have been working in closecooperation for more than ten years and are very much lookingforward to becoming a member of the Andritz family.”Andreas Lukas, senior vice president and division manager,

Andritz Nonwoven added: “By adding Laroche’s state-of-the-art products and expertise to our existing capabilities, Andritz Nonwoven will further strengthen its market andtechnology position.”


Nonwovens researchhonoured in VDMAstudent awardsFrankfurt - Innovations in nonwovens technology were amongthe recipients of year’s awards from the VDMA through itsWalter Reiners-Stiftung Foundation.The foundation, through the VDMA Textile Machinery

Association, is actively involved in promoting young engineersand each year offers prizes for the best dissertation, diplomaor master’s thesis and creativity prizes for bachelor’s andsemester theses. Among this year’s winners was Maximilian Speiser of

Reutlingen University, who was awarded a promotion prize inthe category master thesis of €3,500 for his master thesiswhich presented a solution for increasing energy efficiency inthe nonwovens manufacturing process.There were also two promotion prizes from the German Textile

Machinery Industry in the dissertation category, which wereawarded to Dr. Frederik Cloppenburg of ITA Aachen, and Dr.Annett Schmieder from TU Chemnitz. In his dissertation Mr.Cloppenburg developed a model for the optimization of rollercards in the nonwovens process while Ms. Schmieder introduceda damage analysis system for fibre ropes. The system detectswhen a rope must be replaced e.g. in transport applications.

NWI funding boost for PPE developmentNORTH CAROLINA - The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at theNorth Carolina State University has received a six-month,approximately US$400,000 grant from The National Institute forInnovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) toinvestigate improving the properties of materials they’re usingfor masks and respirators.Ultimately, the researchers’ goal is to enhance the materials in

order to boost performance and production capacity. “The ideabehind the grant is to improve the performance of the materialswe are currently producing,” said Behnam Pourdeyhimi,executive director of NWI, the principle investigator.N95 respirators and surgical masks are generally a sandwich

of one or two common nonwoven layers; spunbond layers thatprovide mask strength and protect the inner filtration layer –and a nonwoven meltblown material that filters microscopicunwanted particles like viruses and bacteria.Because of the current critical need for masks caused by COVID-

19, Pourdeyhimi and his NWI team created a new spunbondmaterial that can serve as a filter without the need for ameltblown filtration layer. The unique fabric is composed of twodifferent polymer materials that are combined to make a singlefibre with significant strength and bulk, along with microfibers ofa similar size to the normal meltblown filters.

NONWOVENS NEWS

Portable electrospinningdevice now in use in hospitalsLOD – Israeli biomedical company Nanomedic Technologies has now shipped anumber of its Spincare handheld electrospinning units to hospitals in Europe.The Spincare wound care system integrates electrospinning technology into aportable, bedside device, offering immediate wound care treatment, creating a fullypersonalised single application customised nano-fibrous transient skin-like layerbased on a patient’s wound condition, size and contour.The portable technology enhances the inherent characteristics of the electrospunnanofibres, mimicking the structure of the body tissue, providing an excellentmedium for tissue integration and regeneration and facilitating the body healingprocess. Electrospinning is a unique technique that uses electrostatic forces toproduce nano-diameter nonwovens that incorporate very fine pore sizes with a high surface area, making them an ideal solution for delivering woundhealing therapies to any surface of the body.Nanomedic says its device gives patients increased mobility – often essential for burn rehabilitation – and the ability to shower, which can be difficultwith traditional bandages. The translucent layer it produces also allows medics to examine the wound without touching it.Rob Lyon, the managing director of Regen Medical, the UK-based distributor for Spincare, said burns could be extremely difficult to dress, making theapplication of bandages agonising.“Spincare is a contactless device,” he said. “The protective mesh mimics the skin, which allows patients to move around more easily.Hospitals in Germany and Switzerland have used the electrospinning gun for treating facial wounds and it has also been applied to wounds on peoplewith diabetes, who can develop chronic foot sores that can lead to amputation.Baljit Dheansa, a doctor in the UK who specialises in burns and scarring, told The Guardian he had used Spincare on five patients at Queen Victoriahospital in Sussex, with positive results on superficial burns.“With this kind of dressing, in the right circumstance, it just means the patient doesn’t have to learn about how to do dressings, and they are bit moreflexible and don’t have to worry so much. And relax a bit more.”



In general, demand for nonwovensused in filtration applications isprojected to climb by 2.7% per year toUS$1.5 billion in 2024 driven, in part,

by the ongoing development ofadvanced nanofibre technologies.

A new report from the FreedoniaGroup notes that nanofibretechnologies, which offer finer filtrationcapabilities than microfibre and coarsermaterials, make nonwovens morecompetitive with alternatives such asmembranes.

Amongst the latest research in thesector is a recent development fromVerdex Technologies, which hasintroduced a technology for spinningnanofibres using low-pressure air and nosolvents. The technology providesnonwovens producers with the ability tooffer a wide variety of functionalenhancements to their products, partic-ularly high-efficiency air filtration andliquid cartridge filtration products.

The growth in filtration applicationswill also be driven by continuedregulation of air and water quality,requiring the filtration of outgoing airand wastewater in manufacturingapplications; and increasing interest andawareness among consumers andhomeowners in indoor air and drinkingwater quality, leading to new spendingon filtration products.

While gains in key manufacturingsectors will support growth through2024, the report also notes that gainswill be limited in others due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. For instance, motorvehicle production has fallen substantiallyin 2020 due to various lockdown andstay-at-home orders. However, demandfor some end uses has increased, such asconsumer water filters, with more

consumer staying at home for longerperiods. Additionally, sales of highervalue filters that can provide betterprotection against airborne pathogenswill help limit declines.

Over the long term, as smarttechnologies such as reminders increasethe replacement rate of disposable filters,particularly among consumers, sales offilters will benefit and, subsequently,demand for nonwovens used in thosefilters will rise, the report says.

PleatableThe use of nanotechnology can be seenin recent developments from Fibertex,which has developed a range ofadvanced pleatable products for airfiltration, based on in-house producednanofibre layers, which are combinedwith tailored nonwovens, to support the

benefits provided by nanofibre materials.The Fibertex Pleatex filter media

product range – which can be pleatedon all types of pleating machines – issaid to offer the highest efficiency andlowest pressure drop on the market,through pure mechanical filtration.

Pleatex media do not lose theirefficiency due to electrical discharge inthe presence of moisture and airpollutants, like electret meltblowns.Additionally, these products do notcontain any harmful, small fibre shreds,as is the case with conventional, fineglass fibre-based filtration products.

All products in this range conformwith new ISO 16890 requirements andalso adhere to the lowest energyconsumption standards in ventilationsystems, the company says.

Pleatex filter media containing

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Media savvy


The nonwovens industry is benefitting from a growing demand forincreasingly effective air filtration technology in the wake

of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fibertex has developed arange of advanced pleatableproducts for air filtration.

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nanofibres can achieve filtrationefficiencies up to HEPA 13 levelaccording to EN 1822 and ISO 35Haccording to ISO 29463.

All Fibertex filtration products can alsobe treated with permanent plasmacoating or non-permanent impreg-nations, to enhance hydrophobicity,oleophobicity or hydrophilicity. Anti-statictreatment is also available.

PurifierElsewhere, whilst the coronaviruspandemic has reduced the demand forfiltration products in markets such asautomotive, there has been a noticeablerise in the need for air filtrationtechnology, both for units in commercialand residential settings.

Filti, the Kansas, US-based air filtrationand nanofibre technology company hasdeveloped the 9500 Home Filter which isan HVAC filter constructed usingnanofibre technology, an N95-qualitymaterial that is proven to filter 95% ofaerosolized, airborne particles – likeCOVID-19 – moving through thematerial.

As air conditioners and heatersrecirculate air throughout a room orbuilding, the HVAC filters are designedto trap dirt, debris, allergens and otherimpurities from recycling into the airflow.

However, microscopic viruses, such as

air purifiers, the OurAir TK 850 andOurAir SQ 2500.

These purifiers are said to be capableof reliably filtering more than 99.995%of viruses, bacteria and micro-organismsfrom the air.

As such, they help to minimize the riskof infection in internal spaces. Thedevices are modern in their design, andthanks to the innovative ePTFE medium,they operate at high performance withparticularly low noise levels. This allowsinfectious virus particles such as SARS-CoV-2, which can attach themselves toaerosols, to be almost completelyfiltered out.

At a recent virtual press conference,the filtration solution manufacturerpresented the two new high-performance room air purifiers to themedia in Belgium, the Netherlands andLuxembourg, following a recentsuccessful product launch in Austria,Switzerland and Germany.

These purifiers are designed to createalmost completely virus-free air ininternal spaces. The stationary room airpurifier OurAir SQ 2500 is suitable forrooms of up to 200 m² and the mobileroom air purifier OurAir TK 850 forrooms of up to 70 m².

Both devices replace the air containedwithin the specified room sizes five timesper hour, allowing the aerosol concen-tration in rooms to be quickly reducedby a significant amount, and kept at aconstantly low level. Further added valueis created thanks to the energy efficiencyof the devices. The high energyconsumption, which occurs especially inthe winter time with frequent ventilationand therefore a constant cooling of theroom, can be reduced to a minimumwith the air purifiers. The technologyalso helps to protect against infectionscaused by colds, flu viruses and mouldspores. Beyond that the devices filterfree allergens from the air and thus alsohelp against allergy complaints in thepollen season.

“Our air purifiers are a complementarymeasure to the existing hygiene anddistance regulations and an importantcomponent for a speedy resumption ofour habitual everyday life. We are proudthat our technologies are able to helpschools, hospitals and other institutions

COVID-19, which studies have proven tobe airborne, can easily move throughmost low-efficiency HVAC filters.Without a filter material that cansuccessfully trap the smallest pollutants,aerosolized particles can be recirculatedin the building.

The replaceable filter is the only MERV16 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value)residential HVAC filter on the market.The extremely efficient yet highly airpermeable nanofibre fabric, allows for anincreased airflow ratio that won’t putadditional stress on a residential HVACsystem, the company says.

The launch of the 9500 Home Filter isa return to Filti’s core products afterpivoting in March to produce N95-qualitynanofibre material that could be madeinto face masks. After selling enoughmaterial to make nearly 15 millionmasks, the company now hopes its newN95-quality HVAC filter will provide thenext level of protection nationwide.

Meanwhile, Ludwigsburg, Germany-based filtration specialist Mann+HummelGroup has been rolling out its latest airpurifier technology using HEPA filters.

This latest development aimed atcontaining the corona pandemic - theHEPA H14 filters (individually testedaccording to ISO 29463 & EN 1822) - hasbeen installed in the two new mobileand stationary high-performance room




to continue operating as normal.In order to make the purchase ofour devices easier, we offerattractive leasing models,”explained Jan-Eric Raschke, director& chief product owner Public AirSolutions. “Air purifiers are asensible long-term investment,because they filter not only theSARS-CoV-2 virus, but also fluand cold viruses and free allergens.As a result, they can make a decisivecontribution to reducing absenteeismdue to illness or allergies in the future.”

Both devices are also designed to workparticularly with low noise levels, a keydecisive feature, especially in facilitiessuch as schools or universities, whereconcentrated work is required.

“The most effective and safest airpurifiers are equipped with HEPA (HighEfficiency Particulate Air) filters. It isimportant to note that the term HEPA isnot a protected term.

The addition ‘individually testedaccording to ISO 29463 & EN 1822’ensures that these are indeed effectiveHEPA filters,” explained Frank Spehl,director, Engineering Life Sciences &

Environment Airfiltration. “Our newlyqualified ePTFE membrane medium,which we use in our HEPA filters, plays adecisive role as the most technicallyadvanced filter medium in the field ofHEPA filtration with regard to energyconsumption and noise generation.

Compared to HEPA filters made ofmicro glass fiber media, the ePTFE HEPAmedium allows a very low pressure drop,which has a very positive effect on theenergy balance and noise level.

The most modern, technologicallyadvanced cleanrooms are equipped withthis technology.”

In addition to mobile antiviral air

purifiers, Mann+Hummel alsooffers the conversion and

upgrading of airconditioning andventilation systems, whichalso significantly reducesthe risk of infection ininternal spaces.

Based on decades ofexperience in the field ofclean rooms andoperating rooms,

Mann+Hummel has alsodeveloped a new ePTFE HEPA

filter in the H14 class. With filtrationefficiency of more than 99.995%according to EN 1822, it offers optimum protection against viruses,bacteria and microorganisms.

The new medium makes it possible toreduce the differential pressure by 50%compared to HEPA filters made of microglass fibre media and is thus on a parwith a “pre-corona” filter system interms of the operating costs of an airconditioning and ventilation system.

The filter also meets the requirementsof class E fire protection according to EN 13501.


New filtration technology for the AHP sectorBERGAMO - The Areis Group, which offers tailor-made solutions forcompanies requiring strict cleanroom standards, has launched a new filtrationsystem for manufacturers of products for the diaper and hygiene markets.Aeris specialises in the supply of filtration, process air treatment andintegrated environmental microclimatic control solutions for industrialproduction processes and plants.The latest development from Alenia NW, the nonwovens division of theBergamo-headquartered Group, is the VDF16, a modular technology whichconsists of a set of filtering drums which, with airflow from inside to outside,is said to keep the filtration chamber exceptionally clean.According to Aeris, the wide filtration surfaces and the efficient regeneration system allows the installation of filter media with filtration efficiencyof greater than 99.99% in line with the HEPA E10 standard, with no maintenance required.The VDF unit also has a ventilation section which ensures the automatic stabilization of the unit’s operating pressure.The commercial launch of the VDF follows a two-year test period with a pilot model at one of Aeris’s Italian customers. The customer runs anadult diaper production line and over the two years, tests have shown up to 60% less energy consumption compared to the customer’s previousfiltration unit along with an exhaust dust concentration of just 0.2 mg/Nmc, a figure which Aeris says has never been obtained before with onlyone stage of filtration.There have also been zero maintenance costs and line stops attributed to the VDF.“The VDF offers a number of advantages,” says Aeris. “These include a clean filter chamber since the air flows from inside to outside andcontinuous, controlled selective interval cleaning with no pressure fluctuations. The VDF also offers certified filter media for a long service life,energy-saving operation due to low-pressure drops and a very compact design. There is also a complete recirculation of the wasted suckedmaterial without any interference with the formation drum and any device for dust concentration.”

Mann Hummelhave developed theOurAir TK 850 andOurAir SQ 2500.

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SilverNonwovens with enhanced air filtrationproperties have also been the subject ofa recent development from advancedmaterial specialist Noble Biomaterials,which has been working with fellow US-based firm PureAir Filtration to developantimicrobial filtration equipmentmanufactured with silver technology.

FiberShield, which can be used as anadded fabric layer in particulate filters tohelp fight microbes amid the COVID-19pandemic, is made of a proprietary blendof nonwoven nanofibres that areimpregnated with antimicrobial Ionic+silver technology.

The antimicrobial fabric can be used inany particulate filter and is said to be theonly one on the market to offer suchflexibility to filter manufacturers.FiberShield with Ionic+ technology hasbeen tested and proven effective byindependent testing laboratories toinactivate over 99% of specific pathogens.

PureAir has also launched a secondproduct in its antimicrobial line calledMicrobe-sorb, an adsorbent media thatutilizes a proprietary blend of compoundsto activate, enhance and deliver thestrong antimicrobial properties ofpermanganate, a material commonlyused in medical practices since the early1800s. Independent laboratory testsshow Microbe-sorb inactivates over 99%of microbes on contact.

Both products are aimed at mitigatingthe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic byfocusing on improving air quality throughgas, odor and pathogen removal.

Noble Biomaterials, Inc. is a key supplier

of antimicrobial and conductivity solutionsfor soft-surface applications. Thecompany produces advanced materialtechnologies designed for applications inthe performance apparel, healthcare,industrial and emerging wearabletechnology markets. Its flagship brandsinclude X-Static, Ionic+ and Circuitex.

In France, nonwovens manufacturerLydall is installing a new production linewhich, as well as filtration media for facemasks, will also be used to manufacturefine fibre meltblown fabrics for high-efficiency air filtration systems.

The new line will be installed its facilityin Saint-Rivalain in the second quarter of2021, substantially increasing thecompany’s capacity to supply thiscritically needed material to theEuropean market.

According to Lydall, the investmentsolidifies its position as one of the largestglobal suppliers of fine fibre meltblownfiltration media, the crucial componentMERV-, HEPA- and ULPA-grade air filters.Lydall will receive up to 30 per cent offunding for the investment through thesupport of France’s Ministry of theEconomy and Finance.

Lydall’s Saint-Rivalain facilitymanufactures medium- and high-efficiency filtration media for a variety ofapplications that are critical toenvironments such as operating rooms,gas turbines and nuclear containmentbuildings. The facility currently has oneline dedicated to meltblown filtrationmedia production to make high-efficiencyindoor air quality filters and, in response toCOVID-19, has maximized its output to

further support the production of personalprotective equipment (PPE) in Europe.

Meanwhile, to address the spread ofhealthcare-associated infections (HAIs)from aerosolized viral particles, PorexCorporation, part of the US FiltrationGroup, is pioneering the use of viralfiltration efficiency (VFE) testing methodsfor the materials it supplies for use inmedical devices.

As the first company to run this newanalysis, Porex has been able to consis-tently obtain a 99.9987% VFE score forits filter materials, proving they help toprotect healthcare workers and patientsfrom aerosol-based viruses potentiallypresent in medical settings.

Georgia-based Porex initiated VFEtesting for its materials after observingthe needs of its customers, whichfrequently fielded concerns from patientsand healthcare workers seekinginformation that the components used invarious equipment procedures would notpose risks of a HAI contraction.

Nearly one in 31 hospital patientsacquires a HAI and these infections lead toan estimated 99,000 annual deaths in UShospitals alone, according to the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Healthcare workers face similar, if notgreater, threats due to frequent exposureto viral pathogens.

“The Covid-19 pandemic hasmagnified what was already a pressingissue in healthcare settings around theworld, which is that inadequate filtrationmaterials put patients and professionalsat risk of contracting dangerous viruses,”said Avi Robbins, vice president, of globalproduct development and R&D at Porex.“We took the step to lead the materialsindustry into VFE testing to validateefficacy, and we are thrilled to confirmthat our filtration and ventingcomponents are trustworthy and reliablefor blocking viral particle spread.”

Porex develops venting and filtrationsolutions via several core technologyplatforms such as sintered particles,bonded fibre, PTFE and Oxyphen track-etched membranes.

Filtration and venting media fromPorex are suitable for suction canisters,catheters, syringes and other medicalequipment utilized in aerosol-generatingmedical procedures. SNW


FILTRATION

FiberShield with Ionic+technology has been tested andproven effective by independenttesting laboratories to inactivateover 99% of specific pathogens.


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Biosphere is expanding its range of hygiene productswith the installation of a diaper line from Andritz Diatec.

Biosphere expands into diaper production

The Biosphere Corporation, locatedin Dnipro, Ukraine, has beengrowing fast since its foundationas a domestic cleaning goods

distributor in the late 1990s. It is now a large manufacturer and

supplier of hygiene products making anddelivering around 1.3 million items perday. The latest addition to its hygieneproducts offering is a range of babydiapers, made on a production linesupplied by Andritz Diatec.Starting out as a local company in

1997, Andriy Zdesenko founded theBiosphere Corporation as distributor ofinternational products in hygiene anddomestic goods, supplying diapers andfeminine hygiene products for well-known international brands. With aheadcount of just 15 people, the focus atthe time was to concentrate on thesupply of all household and cleaningitems including aluminum foil, sponges,and wet wipes. At the same time,

Zdesenko was working on a plan tobecoming a major manufacturer ofhygiene products, seeing the potential inUkraine, but also in other export markets.Fast forward to 2021 and the

Biosphere Corporation nowmanufactures and supplies over 2,000

different items of household and hygieneproducts to the domestic market as wellas exporting to more than 30 countries.The company turns over around US$250million and employs approximately 3,000people at five locations.As part of his plans for the Biosphere

Corporation, Zdesenko was determinedto become a leading baby diapermanufacturer and supplier in Ukraine. “Itwas my ambition to do this, as it hadbeen at the back of my mind for a longtime, but there were other manufacturingplans that got in the way, includinginvesting in spunlace production,” hesays. “We are also the leading producerof wet wipes in Ukraine today, and weexpect to start production of spunlace inthe second decade of 2021.”

Diaper lineAt the end of June 2019, an opportunityarose to enter the baby diaper marketwhen Luca Capriotti, Area SalesManager, Andritz Diatec, contactedZdesenko with a proposition for a newline. “We had known andcommunicated with Luca for some yearsbefore Diatec became a part of AndritzGroup. At the same time, we wentforward with Andritz equipment andservice through our spunlace production.Then, when we began to look again at adiaper line, we realized that Diatec hadbecome a part of Andritz as well.“I listened to the proposition, although

it wasn’t exactly part of our plans toinvest in a baby diaper line at the time.At the end of the conversation my plansfor a baby diaper line had changed, and Idecided a serious conversation withAndritz Diatec must take place.”For the meeting, Zdesenko came



Converting baby diaper line fromAndritz Diatec at Biosphere facilities.

Andriy Zdesenko founder andCEO of Biosphere company.

Andritz_HD_Layout 1 08/02/2021 16:04 Page 22

armed with a series of requests; the planwas to produce a sophisticated productfor babies that was of top Europeanquality, at the same time as being valuefor money. Andritz Diatec examined thedetails and the data on a micro level andcame up with a tailor-made solution,specifically for the market in Ukraine.“What I have always liked about

Andritz is that it has reliable managementand a culture of innovation,” Zdesenkoadded. “In the modern world, top serviceand innovation always come first, partic-ularly for us as a new player in certainproducts and markets.”

ProductionIt’s important to consider, says Capriotti,that there are a lot of different aspectsinvolved in diaper production such as therequirement for 16 different types of rawmaterial: “Then there were the marketparameters to consider, sizes, weights,qualities. We took all in all the requests ofthe Biosphere Corporation, at the sametime as digging deep into the data of themarketplace and product specification andcame up with a tailor-made design and athat was completely fit for purpose.” “We learned very early about the

complexity of baby diaper productionfrom Andritz Diatec,” adds Zdesenko.“We are talking about a highly developedsandwich involving many kind of differentraw materials all going through the line athigh speed. There should be no waste,top quality, and at maximum efficiency. Ifyou get any of these wrong, you losereputation and lose money. “And at the same time you have

major, experienced internationalcompetitors who are already supplying acompetitive market. It is a very bravechallenge, and a reliable partner is vital.”

COVID-19 The official contract was for the newopen baby diaper line was signed on the23 July 2019 and a new, purpose-builtfactory was constructed. The project ofpreparing and installing the new openbaby diaper line went according to planover the space of the next sevenmonths, leading up to March 2020,when commissioning and start-up of theline was planned to take place.The equipment and Andritz Diatec

technicians arrived in early March for theinstallation and start-up phase of theproject, and just one week after arrival theCOVID-19 pandemic struck. With Italy’sborders closing fast, it meant that thetechnicians had to leave Ukraine just asthe vital part of the project was beginning. “This was a real challenge,” says

Zdesenko. “We quickly formed a planusing our very experienced BiosphereCorporation production experts, alongwith online support from Andritz Diatec. “We were fortunate to have our head

of Diapers Production, Robert Drejaonsite at the Dnipro site to make surethat everything could continue asplanned. We utilized every kind ofcommunication platform, using videoand audio so that Andritz Diatec expertscould speak to our technicians live asthey prepared the line for start-up.”The new baby diaper line started up on

time and on schedule despite all thechallenges of COVID-19 in April 2020,“We had the usual teething problemsassociated with any start-up, but we weredelighted with what we achieved, partic-ularly in the middle of a pandemic,” saysZdesenko. “I am proud of the productionteam at the Biosphere Corporation, andpleased with the professionalmanagement and remote technicalsupport given by Andritz Diatec.”

FacilityThe result is that Biosphere claims tohave the most modern facility in

Ukraine for the production babydiapers on a line that will produce 600diapers per minute of top quality.Capriotti says: “The type of productthe Biosphere Corporation can producewith this line is equal to the topproducts in any developed marketallowing the company to expand in theUkraine as well as to other interna-tional markets.” Noting that Biosphere donated the

first 300,000 diapers it produced on theline to charities supporting families inneed, single parents and public hospitalsacross Ukraine as the pandemic hit,Zdesenko adds: “We are now deliveringour diapers to all territories in Ukraine,and we are starting production ofprivate label products for the localmarket. We also have our own brand,Bambik, which is making a mark in thebiggest discount stores and well as inecommerce offerings.” Future growth plans for the

Biosphere Corporation include a facilityfor the production of raw materials forits own products and there areadditional plans for five new lines –three baby diaper lines including pants,and two lines for feminine products.The company is also looking to moveinto tissue production at some point inthe near future. “We have already identified all the

locations for the new lines and will beopening them up in the next two tothree years,” concludes Zdesenko. SNW

DIAPER PRODUCTION


High quality baby diapersproduced by Biosphere.

Andritz_HD_Layout 1 08/02/2021 16:04 Page 23

A new report from the Nova Institute shows that for the first time, the growthrate for bio-based polymers is higher than fossil-based polymer market growth.

Bio-based polymers set the pace

2020 was a promising year forbio-based polymers: sold out PLAin 2019 has led to the instal-lation of increased capacities, PE

and PP made from bio-based naphthaare breaking ground and futureexpansion for bio-based polyamides aswell as for PBAT, PHAs and caseinpolymers is on the horizon. As a newreport from Germany’s Nova Instituteshows, only bio-based PET showed alower growth rate.The report, Bio-based Building Blocks

and Polymers – Global Capacities,Production and Trends 2020–2025,also shows that several global brandsare already expanding their feedstockportfolio to include, next to fossil-based, sources of renewable carbon,CO2, recycling and especiallybiomass, increasing the demand forbio-based as well as biodegradablepolymers. Nevertheless, at the sametime, there is a lack of support frompolitical circles, which are still mostlypromoting biofuels and bioenergy.

VolumeIn 2020, the total production volume ofbio-based polymers was 4.2 milliontonnes, which is 1% of the totalproduction volume of fossil-basedpolymers. For the first time in many yearshowever, the CAGR is at 8%, signifi-cantly higher than the overall growth ofpolymers (3–4%). This is expected tocontinue until 2025 (see Figure 1).Overall, the global land requirement

for bio-based polymers is only 0.006 %of the global agricultural land. The majorbiomass feedstock used for bio-basedpolymer production is glycerol as abiogenic by-product (37%).

Capacity increaseAccording to the report, the increase inproduction capacity from 2019 to 2020was mainly based on the expansion ofpolylactic acid (PLA) and poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)production in Asia as well as worldwideepoxy resin production. Also, increased and new production

capacities for polybutylene succinate andcopolymers (PBS(X)) and bio-basedpolyethylene (PE) and polyurethanes(PUR) were reported in 2020. Inparticular, polyamides (PA) andpolypropylene (PP) will continue to growsignificantly (about 36%) until 2025while capacities for polyhydroxyalka-noates (PHA) will grow in Asia and NorthAmerica. Additionaly, casein polymers inEurope will increase by 32% until 2025,followed by increases in PE in SouthAmerica and Europe, with PLA mainly inEurope and PBAT in Asia at about 8%.

Bio-based feedstocksConsidering the steadily increasingdemand for bio-based polymers, the



FIGURE 1: PLASTICS PRODUCTION FROM 1950 TO 2019

FIGURE 2: BIOMASS UTILISATION WORLDWIDE. FIRST AND SECONDGENERATION, TOTAL AND FOR BIO-BASED POLYMERS

Nova Bio Report_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:26 Page 24

Nova Institute also highlights theimportance of taking the issue ofbiomass feedstocks into account. This isespecially true for the recurring debateon the use of food crops for bio-basedpolymer production. Figure 2 shows the worldwide biomass

utilisation in 2020. The total demand forbiomass was 12.5 billion tonnes for feed,bioenergy, food, material use, biofuels aswell as bio-based polymers. While themajority of the biomass (59%) is used forfeed production, only 0.038% is neededfor bio-based polymer production.This, says the report, results in a

biomass feedstock demand of 4.8million tonnes for the production of 4million tonnes of bio-based polymersand corresponds to an agricultural landshare of only 0.006%. This small area share is due to various

factors: the major feedstock used forbio-based polymer production is glycerol(37%); as a biogenic process by-productfrom biodiesel production it represents abiomass without land use. This glycerol ismainly used for epoxy resin productionvia epichlorohydrin as an intermediate.The utilised biomass also comprises 24%starch and 16% sugars with bothfeedstocks derived from high-yieldingcrops such as maize, sugar beet or sugarcane, having a high area efficiency. 12%of the biomass is from non-edible plantoil such as castor oil, 9% from cellulose(mainly used for cellulose acetate) and 2% from edible plant oil. From the 4 million tonnes of produced

bio-based polymers (fully and partly bio-based) only 1.9 million tonnes are actualbio-based components of the polymers(46%). Considering this fact, 2.5 timesmore feedstock is needed than actually isincorporated into the final product. Thisamount of 2.9 million tonnes (61%) offeedstock that is not ending up in theproduct is due to a high number ofconversion steps and related feedstockand intermediate losses, as well as theformation of by-products.

Sustainability andrenewable carbonThe only way for polymers, plastics andchemicals to become sustainable,climate-friendly and part of the circulareconomy, suggests the report, is the

complete substitution of fossil carbonwith renewable carbon from alternativesources: biomass, CO2 and recycling(http://www.renewable-carbon.eu). Thisnecessary transition is already on thestrategic agenda of several global brandsthat are already expanding theirfeedstock portfolio to include, next tofossil-based, all three sources ofrenewable carbon. This rethinking fromthe market point of view, especially inthe use of biomass, will, and already did,increase the supply of bio-based as wellas biodegradable polymers.Nevertheless, the Nova Institute

highlights that the market remainschallenging from a political perspectiveand in terms of crude oil prices, as majoradvantages of bio-based polymers havenot been politically rewarded yet. Theseare that bio-based polymers replace fossilcarbon in the production process withrenewable carbon from biomass which isindispensable for a sustainable, climate-friendly plastics industry; and thatbiodegradability is offered by almost halfof the produced bio-based polymers. Thiscan be a solution for plastics that cannotbe collected and enter the environment.In these situations, they can biodegradewithout leaving behind microplastics. Only a few countries such as Italy,

France and probably Spain, says thereport, will politically support thisadditional disposal path.

Drivers and policyThe most important market drivers in2020 were brands that want to offer theircustomers environmentally friendlysolutions and critical consumers looking

for alternatives to petrochemical products.If bio-based polymers were to be

accepted as a solution and promoted ina similar way as biofuels, the NovaInstitute says that annual growth rates of10 to 20% could be expected. The samewould apply, should the oil price risesignificantly. Based on the alreadyexisting technical maturity of bio-basedpolymers, considerable market sharescould be gained in these cases.

Bio-based polymersThe global polymer market includesfunctional and structural polymers,rubber products as well as man-madefibres (Figure 3). The report focuses onthe bio-based share of the structuralpolymers which are composed of thestructural part and the bio-basedlinoleum part, together amounting to4.1 million tonnes. The total amount of bio-based

functional polymers consists of bio-basedfunctional polymers and paper starch,yielding 13.6 million tonnes. As well asthese two groups making up 17.7 milliontonnes of bio-based functional andstructural polymers, rubber products andman-made fibres can be bio-based. Intotal, 14.1 million tonnes of rubberproducts and 7 million tonnes of man-made fibres are from bio-based resources.Figure 4 shows all (semi-) commercial

pathways from biomass via differentintermediates and building blocks to bio-based polymers. As in previous years,several pathways and some new interme-diates were added. Bio-based buildingblocks and polymers analysed in detailwithin the report are highlighted in bold.

RAW MATERIALS

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FIGURE 3: POLYMERS WORLDWIDE, BIO-BASED SHARES (2018-2020)


Figure 5 shows the different pathwaysof bio-based “drop-in”, “smart drop-in”and “dedicated” inputs within thechemical production chain. For eachgroup, certain bio-based polymers areexemplarily shown. Additionally, biodegradable bio-based

polymers are highlighted with a greendot. The different bio-based polymergroups are subject to different marketdynamics. While drop-ins have directfossil-based counterparts and cansubstitute them, the dedicated ones havenew properties and functionalities thatpetrochemistry does not provide.

can be built on completely newapproaches, such as epichlorohydrin,where the fossil feedstock propylene is notsubstituted by bio-based propylene butwith glycerol from biodiesel production.Dedicated bio-based chemicals arechemicals which are produced commer-cially via a dedicated pathway and do nothave an identical fossil-based counterpart.Figure 6 and Figure 7 summarise the

results of the report and show the shareof the bio-based polymer productioncapacities in 2020 and the developmentof capacities from 2018 to 2025 on thebasis of forecasts by current and somenew producers. The total installed capacity in 2020

was 4.6 million tonnes with an actualproduction of 4.2 million tonnes. Anincrease to 6.7 million tonnes capacity in2025 is expected, indicating an averagecompound annual growth rate (CAGR)of about 8%. The following polymersshow an even higher increase signifi-cantly above the average growth rate: PAwill continue to grow by 37% and PP by34% until 2025. Casein polymers in

Both have their own advantages anddisadvantages from a production andmarket perspective. While bio-based drop-in chemicals are bio-based versions ofexisting petrochemicals, which haveestablished markets and are chemicallyidentical to existing fossil-based chemicals,smart drop-in chemicals are a special sub-group of drop-in chemicals. Even thoughthey are chemically identical to existingchemicals based on fossil hydrocarbons,their bio-based pathways providesignificant process advantages comparedto the conventional pathways.Additionally, these bio-based pathways


FIGURE 4: PATHWAYS TO BIO-BASED POLYMERS

FIGURE 5: SCHEMATIC DIFFERENTIATION OF PATHWAYS OF DROP-IN,SMART DROP-IN AND DEDICATED BIO-BASED CHEMICALS AND POLYMERS

FIGURE 6: SHARES OF BIO-BASEDPOLYMERS PRODUCTIONCAPACITIES 2020.Total production capacity of 4.6 million tonnes



Europe will increase by 32% until 2025,followed by 8% increases in PE and a7% growth for PLA and PBAT.

Building blocksIn Figure 8, the report illustrates thedevelopment of capacities for the mainbio-based building blocks used for theproduction of polymers from 2011 to2025. The building blocks are utilised forthe synthesis of structural and functionalpolymers as well as ingredients in variousother applications such as food, feed,cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, andtherefore show a higher average CAGRthan polymers. The overall productioncapacity of bio-based building blocksincreased about 7% (212,000 t/a) in2020. This increase is mainly based on L-lactic acid and epichlorohydrin (ECH).The overall forecast for bio-basedbuilding blocks worldwide indicates agrowth by 11% (CAGR) until 2025, with1,5-pentamethylenediamine (DN5),naphtha, ethylene and different furanderivatives being the main drivers.Following Asia as the leading region,

which has installed the largest bio-basedproduction capacities worldwide with47% in 2020, Europe follows with 26%,

followed by North America with 17%and South America with 9%, respectively(Figure 9). With an expected CAGR of16% between 2020 and 2025, thereport notes that Asia displays thehighest growth of bio-based polymercapacities compared to other regions ofthe world. This increase is mainly due tohigher production capacities for PA,PBAT, PHA and PLA.

Market segments Today, bio-based polymers can be usedin almost all market segments andapplications, but the variousapplications per polymer can be verydifferent. Figure 10 shows a summary ofthe applications for all bio-basedpolymers covered in the report. In 2020 fibres including woven,

nonwoven (mainly cellulose acetate (CA)and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT))have the highest share with 24%.Packaging, both flexible and rigid, alsohas a 24% share in total, followed byautomotive and transport with 16%(mainly epoxy resins, PUR and aliphaticpolycarbonates (APCs)), building andconstruction with 14% (mainly epoxyresins and PA), and consumer goods with

RAW MATERIALS

FIGURE 10: SHARES OF THEPRODUCED BIO-BASEDPOLYMERS IN DIFFERENTMARKET SEGMENTS IN 2020

All graphics in this report:

FIGURE 9: GLOBAL PRODUCTIONCAPACITIES OF BIO-BASEDPOLYMERS PER REGION 2020without cellulose acetate, epoxy resins and polyurethanes

9% (mainly starch-containing polymercompounds, PP and casein polymers). The agri- and horticulture, electrics and

electronics as well as functional andother segments have a market share ofunder 5%, respectively. SNW

FIGURE 7: BIO-BASED POLYMERS. EVOLUTION OF WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION CAPACITIES FROM 2018 TO 2025

FIGURE 8: BIO-BASED BUILDING BLOCKS. EVOLUTION OF WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION CAPACITIES FROM 2011 TO 2015



Consulting editor Adrian Wilson examines the latest progress in providing the absorbent hygiene products industry with more sustainable feedstocks.

Levels of complexity



The European Union’s Single-UsePlastics Directive (SUPD) andsimilar legislation being plannedin North America and elsewhere,

along with the EU’s plan to introducemandatory separate collection for wasteclothing by 2025, is now seeing a rangeof initiatives that promise to change theface of the $90 billion markets forabsorbent hygiene products (AHPs).While biofuels remain the main

alternative focus of the oil industry, there isa marked swing towards the developmentof new biopolymers, bioplastics and bio-based synthetic fibres that is attractingsignificant new investments. Consumerproduct brands and retailers at the otherend of the long supply chain are alsohighly active, and new start-ups – notablyin the field of alternative cellulosic fibresderived primarily from cotton-rich wasteclothing – as well as plastic recyclingprojects, are suddenly finding it easy toattract new investors.

AHPsThe scale of making the AHPs market inany way sustainable, let alone circular,should not be underestimated of course.Baby diapers, femcare products and

those for coping with adult incontinence(AI), are all currently based on

petroleum-derived synthetic fibres,primarily based on spunmeltpolypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) orpolyester (PET), in combination withvarying degrees of wood pulp, superab-sorbent polymers (SAPs) and elastics.There are around 1,200 machines

across the world making baby diapersalone, typically at a rate of 1,000 aminute, and an average scrap rate of2.5% equates to 30,000 diapers beingdiscarded every minute, long beforereaching the retail shelves. The considerable post-consumer waste

AHPs generate is meanwhile estimatedto be in the region of 30 million tonseach year, all of which is eitherincinerated or sent to landfill. Thisequates to 1.5 billion diapers that aredisposed of globally daily – 18,000 eachsecond. And this waste is not currently ina fit state to be recycled by simplerecovery of its constituent parts.Unsurprisingly, AHP post-consumer

waste is becoming a bigger and morevisible problem all the time, especially asother products continue to besuccessfully recovered from landfills.

PolypropylenePLA (polylactic acid), as a valid alternativeraw material to PP is now at an advancedstage of growing capacity and commer-cialisation, while PHAs (polyhydroxyalka-noates), as previously reported inSustainable Nonwovens, especially fromDanimer, hold much promise.Attempts to produce a viable bio-PP

have also been made over the years,most notably by Procter & Gamble,working with Braskem of Brazil, butproved unsuccessful.However, in the past two years, two of

the major European PP manufacturers –LyondellBasell, one of the world’s largestplastics, chemicals and refiningcompanies globally, headquartered inRotterdam, The Netherlands, andVienna, Austria-headquartered Borealis –have announced progress with atechnology for producing bio-PP fromagricultural waste.Both projects are joint ventures with

Neste, based in Espoo, Finland. Nesteproduces bio-based alternatives toconventional fossil-based feedstocks forthe production of polymers and

There are around 1,200 machines across theworld making baby diapers alone,

typically at a rate of 1,000 a minute.

Bio Ahps_HD_Layout 1 08/02/2021 16:06 Page 28

Marking a major milestone,the first batch of bio-basedspunmelt nonwovens for AHPswas shipped by Fibertex PersonalCare in November 2020.

chemicals and now has an annualproduction capacity of three million tonsof renewable products. Based on Neste’s technology, in

June 2019 LyondellBasellannounced the first parallelproduction of bio-based PP andbio-based low-density PE at acommercial scale.LyondellBasell has introduced

a new Neste renewablefeedstock to its site inWesseling, Germany, whichwas converted directly into thebio-based PE and PP.Borealis also announced a

strategic co-operation for theproduction of renewable PP withNeste in October 2019.It enabled Borealis to start using

Neste’s 100% renewable propaneproduced with its NEXBTL technology asa renewable feedstock at its facilities inKallo and Beringen in Belgium.Borealis has used Neste’s renewable

propane, produced in Rotterdam, tocreate an entire portfolio of applicationsbased on renewable-PP calledBornewables, commercially launched inMarch 2020.

MilestoneMarking a major milestone in thedevelopment and expansion of a supplychain for bio-based polymers from amajor manufacturer of spunmeltnonwovens for the AHPs market, inNovember 2020, Fibertex Personal Care,headquartered in Aalborg, Denmark,shipped its first batch bio-basedspunmelt nonwovens.This range of nonwovens fabrics is

based on a high-purity, recycled plasticdeveloped with SABIC (Saudi BasicIndustries Corporation), the multina-tional chemical manufacturing companyheadquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The fabrics are made from SABIC

Trucircle circular PP which uses feedstockderived from previously used plastics.The material is part of the SABIC

PureCares family of polypropylene forAHPs that was introduced at thebeginning of 2020. The certified circularPP is created from post-consumer mixedplastics that have been broken down intotheir molecular building blocks and then

repolymerized to create virgin plastics.Fibertex Personal Care is now providing

the certified circular nonwovens tocustomers from its Comfort, Elite, Dualand Loft product ranges.

PET polyesterWhile the recycling of PET plastic bottlesinto fibres is well established and usedextensively for nonwovens by majorplayers such as Freudenberg, thesefeedstocks should ideally be going intomaking new plastic bottles, in order toestablish a truly circular chain.It is for this reason, that there has been

much interest in the patented Gen IIdepolymerization technology, of LoopIndustries, headquartered in Montreal,Canada, for turning post-consumerwaste PET into its primary buildingblocks, or monomers – DMT and MEG –which meet established purity criteria forproducing virgin-quality PET.It further can accommodate feedstocks

such as old clothing, carpets and evenmattresses, suggesting a major movetowards circular chains.In October 2020, however, the validity

of Loop’s depolymerisation process was

questioned by financial analystHindenburg Research, leading to a

damaging impact on Loop’sshare price.

Loop faced more trouble in2020, with a joint venturedepolymerisation plant withIndorama Venturesscheduled to start productionlast July still yet to be built.This resulted in a five-yearcontract with a major CocaCola supplier beingcancelled, although it isnow being renegotiated.

The delay in buildingthe plant with Indoramahas been put down toCovid-19 issues, and in

response to the allegationsmade by Hindenburg, an independentverification of Loop’s process hassubsequently been conducted byKemitek, a not-for-profit College Centrefor Technology Transfer specialised in thefields of green chemistry and chemicalprocess scale-up.

MethodologyKemitek subsequently established arigorous and independent methodologyfor this verification.Its team was on site at Loop’s

Terrebonne, Quebec, facilities for 16 daysto verify each step of technology at mini-pilot (25 L reactor) and pilot scales (6000L reactor), from feedstock (post-consumer waste PET plastic) to the finalpurified monomers, DMT and MEG.Kemitek received the feedstock

directly from Loop’s supplier. It thendried, sampled, sealed and shipped thewaste plastic feedstock to Loop. The feedstock was also sent to anexternal laboratory by Kemitek foranalysis and characterisation.Once on site, the Kemitek team took

possession of the feedstock, controlledand secured the entire process to alwaysensure the chain of custody via humansupervision and numbered lockouts andseals on the equipment.Throughout the process, the Kemitek

team took samples at key steps forsubsequent analysis to confirm there wasno tampering by Loop’s team.The final purified monomers were

RAW MATERIALS

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An inevitable end-use in 2020 for the new Bornewablesrange of bio-PP manufactured by Borealis.


secured by Kemitek and sent for analysisto ISO 17025 certified external labora-tories. These analyses confirm the purityof the resulting monomers.The feedstock used throughout the

verification consisted of pallets of post-consumer waste PET plastic. Inappearance, it was a mix of clear, greyand coloured flakes and fines with a PETcontent varying between 86% and 95%,as determined by a Loop-conductedanalysis. Feedstock contaminantsidentified by external laboratoriesmandated by Kemitek include printedfilm, silicone elastomer and polystyrene.

PurityThe final report issued by Kemitek,which was filed late in December as anexhibit to Loop’s Form 8-K, draws thefollowing conclusions:“The Kemitek team was able to

understand, witness and verify theexecution of Loop’s Gen II PET depoly-merization technology from feedstock tomonomers. While the verification wasnot intended to certify the yields oreconomic viability of the technology, asthese were out of the scope of ourmandate, our observations confirmedthe production of significant quantities

With sales of $71 billion in itsfinancial year to June 2020, P&G is ahuge user of PP, in nonwovens but alsoin injection moulded components andplastic films.According to John Layman, Procter &

Gamble’s head of corporate R&D and thefounding inventor of the PCT process,plastics have too much value to bethrown away, but the price of a singleplastic component is so low that it isdifficult to recapture any of the that value. Achieving quality that is just like virgin

PP with the same regulatory approvalsand restoring it to products with notrade-offs in an endless cycle is PCT’sgoal, and the three main challenges itfaces are in removing contamination,colour, and odour.The plastics recycling waste stream

also consists of a huge diversity ofdifferent plastics in different forms, sopulling a single polymer out of itprofitably is extremely tricky.PCT’s proprietary technology employs

a hydrocarbon solvent at elevatedtemperatures and pressures, and a novelcombination of standard chemicalengineering operations. These processespurify the recycled resins via the removalof odour, volatile organic chemicals, andother organic and particulate contam-inants and additives.It is a polymer-to-polymer process to

feed dirty plastic in and get clear plastic out and the end product has thesame mechanical properties as virgin PP with the same tensile modulus andimpact strength.A key advantage is the simplicity of

PCT’s process, which requires a lot lesssteps than pyrolysis, consumes a lot lessenergy and ultimately is likely to bemuch more cost effective.

PP recyclingA number of other new PP recyclingventures have recently been announced,including Braskem’s collaboration withEncina Development Group, to pursue along-term partnership in the productionof circular, recycled PP.Braskem is the largest polyolefins

producer in the Americas with a growingbiopolymers portfolio. In November2020, it committed to significantlyexpanding its efforts to eliminate plastic

of DMT and MEG from a post-consumerwaste PET feedstock at both mini-pilotand pilot scales.“Characterisation of the finished

products also confirmed that the qualityof the primary PET plastic building blocksmeets Loop’s specifications for theproduction of PET resin and polyesterfibre, achieving DMT purity ranging from99.7% to 100.1% and MEG purityranging from 98.2% to 98.9%.”

PureCycle PureCycle Technologies (PCT) started upa pilot plant for PP resins recycling inHanging Rock, Ohio, with an annualcapacity of 70 tons in July 2019 and isnow planning to build a commercialplant capable of processing 50,000 tonsannually within the next two years at thesame site.While PCT operates independently

from Procter & Gamble, which inventedthe resin recycling process, it is likely toplay a major role in helping thecorporation meet ambitious goals. P&Gintends to make all of its packagingrecyclable or reusable, and to replace50% of all of the virgin plastics it useswith recyclable or reusable alternatives,by 2030.



Loop’s patented PET depolymerisationprocess has now been independently verified.


waste in the environment by 2030 andto achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.Texas-based Encina’s technology

produces renewable chemicals made frompost-consumer plastic and the companywill break ground on a new facility in thesecond half of 2021. Once completed,the facility is targeted to process 175,000tons of plastic waste, converting it intomore than 90,000 tons of recycledchemicals per year. The plant is designedto expand to 350,000 tons of incomingplastic waste in future phases. Encina’sproprietary technology economicallyextracts chemicals from plastic throughcatalytic pyrolysis. The process utilizesmixed plastics from post-consumersources, which are currently costly torecycle, and often destined for landfills.Braskem is meanwhile aiming to grow

its I’m Green recycled products portfolioto sales of 300,000 tons by 2025 andone million tons by 2030.

European investmentsIn Europe, both Borealis and Lyondell-Basell have recently announcedinvestments in more PP recycling.In January 2021, Borealis and Tomra,

an advanced collection and sortingsystems developer headquartered inAsker, Norway, started up a newadvanced mechanical recycling plant inLahnstein, Germany.The plant processes both rigid and

flexible plastic waste from householdsand unlike many current recycling plants,will produce the advanced solutionsnecessary for use in highly demandingplastic applications in various industries,including automotive and consumerproducts. With high purity, low odour,high product consistency and light colourfractions, the resulting Borcycle M graderecycled polymers will meet customerquality requirements across the valuechain, the company claims.Procter & Gamble will be a key

customer for this plant.In December 2020, LyondellBasell

and the Paris-headquartered interna-tional waste operator Suez Groupannounced the joint acquisition ofTivaco, a plastics recycling companylocated in Blandain, Belgium. Tivaco will become part of Quality

Circular Polymers (QCP), the existing

50/50 plastics recycling joint ventureLyondellBasell and Suez. With thistransaction, QCP is increasing itsproduction capacity for recycledmaterials to approximately 55,000 tonsper year. Recycled materials from QCPcan so far be found in consumerproducts such as Samsonite’s S’Cure ECOluggage collection.

AHPs RecyclingThe recycling of synthetic fibres like PPand PET as well as all other purecomponents of AHPs – SAPs, wood pulpand elastics – is fully achievable, but theproblem is what happens after they havebeen turned into multi-componentproducts like diapers and are consideredfor recycling after consumer use.In Italy, the first used AHPs recycling

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plant has been established in Contarina,Italy, operated by FaterSMART, a subsidiaryof Fater, the Italian joint-venture betweenProcter & Gamble and Angelini, with anannual capacity of 10,000 tons.From a pilot plant in 2013, the

Contarina operation has moved to demonstration scale in 2015 and has progressed to fully workingindustrial operation.The EU Horizon 2020 Embraced

project’s introduction of recycling binsfor AHPs in Amsterdam in January 2019has now unfortunately been suspendeddue to Covid-19 issues.However, during its operational

period, the logistics for collecting10,000 tons a year of used AHPs fromhouseholds and institutions to be turnedback into feedstocks collection and anadequate storage system in Amsterdamwere established.Suez Group has subsequently been

called in by the project’s operators,Procter & Gamble, Terracycle, AEB and FaterSMART, to prepare abiorefinery for recycling Amsterdam’scollected AHP waste.Watch this space, because this is an

extremely fast-moving field right now.


SNW

The Embraced project’sintroduction of recycling bins forAHPs in Amsterdam has beensuspended due to Covid-19issues, but a biorefinery is now being planned.

FaterSMART’s Italian AHPs recycling planthas been fully operational since 2017,with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons.


Innovations in cellulosic fibres derived from textile andclothing waste are poised for commercialisation in 2021.

Far from pulp fiction

Start-up companies have recentlymade huge progress indeveloping cellulosic fibresderived from textile and clothing

waste and some of these fibres arepoised for commercialisation in 2021.

Much like the makers of nonwoven-based absorbent hygiene products,textile and apparel brands and retailersare under immense pressure to provideproducts which are environmentallysustainable, according to a new reportfrom Textiles Intelligence. At the sametime, there is an urgent need to reducethe amount of waste generated by thefashion industry, which is estimated at 92million tons a year and an estimated$500 billion in retail value lost.

Making cellulosic fibres from materialsderived from textiles and clothing wasteis one way of addressing these two keychallenges – not least because suchfibres are biodegradable and aretherefore considered to be more environ-mentally sustainable than synthetic fibresand cellulosic fibres made using conven-tional processes.

Furthermore, cellulosic fibres derivedfrom textile and clothing waste canthemselves be used as feedstocks inrecycling processes when the textiles andgarments which incorporate them havereached the ends of their useful lives,contributing towards the development ofa circular economy.

DisassemblySome start-up companies such as Evrnuand Renewcell have focused on thedevelopment of pulp derived from textilewaste. This pulp can, in turn, be used asan alternative to wood pulp in themanufacture of cellulosic fibres such aslyocell and viscose.

Evrnu, based in Seattle has secured$11.7 million in to develop a patent-pending process it calls NuCycl.

Garments made with the NuCycltechnology can be disassembled at themolecular level and regenerated multipletimes, helping brands draw down theimpact related to the creation anddisposal of garments. NuCycl has hadearly adoption pledges from brands

including Levi’s, Adidas and StellaMcCartney, with Target to follow. Thetechnology will be commercially availableto brand and retail partners over the next12-24 months. Evrnu is in various stagesof early research and development withseveral other technologies designed tobreak down garment waste.

“Our vision is to create garments thatcan easily come back into the system to bebroken down again and again,” said co-founder and president Christopher Stanev.“Through work with our brand partnerswe have found ways to continuallyimprove product performance and deliverbetter quality with greater value in betterways. We have a pipeline of technologiesthat we will continue to bring to market,all of which will reduce the fashionindustry’s impact on natural resources.”

CirculoseIn December 2020, Renewcell finalised aloan facility from Nordea, the SwedishExport Credit Corporation and Finnishexport credit agency Finnvera for SEK450 million in order to build and



Spinnova’s cellulosicfilament fibre is producedfrom pulp without the useof a dissolving process.

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commission a 60,000 ton capacity textilerecycling plant

The recycled material will be turnedinto Renewcell’s Circulose dissolving pulpwhich H&M Group has committed toscale up across its brands over the nextfive years, following an initial collectionlaunched during 2020.

The new plant, in Sundsvall, Swedenwill be built on an industrial sitebelonging to SCA, in a building currentlyhousing a publication paper machineundergoing decommissioning.

Finnish industrial machinerymanufacturer Valmet will be the mainsupplier of the new equipment, with aSEK 232 million contract covering 40% ofthe value of the equipment to be installed.

“This project is an excellent exampleof how we can utilise our wide expertisein bio, pulp and paper technology intextile recycling,” said RickardAndersson, vice president of fibreprocessing at Valmet “In a project likethis Valmet is not only a technologyprovider, this is a joint journey. Duringthe past year we have worked togetherto fine-tune the technology for textilerecycling. We have utilised the pilotmachines at our Swedish and FinnishR&D centres to do test runs in turningrecycled textile raw material intodissolving pulp sheets.”

ScaleRenewcell’s technology has been specif-ically designed to run on provenequipment in order to ensure scalability.

The contract with Valmet covers machineequipment installation, commissioningand ongoing technical support. Valmetwill supply process equipment for, stockprep, bleaching and drying commonlyused in large scale state-of-the-artdissolving pulp plants throughout theworld. A significant share of theequipment to be installed will bedelivered locally from Valmet’s own sitein Sundsval. The plant is scheduled tobegin operations in the first half of 2022.

Meanwhile, Infinited Fiber Companyhas developed its own cellulosic fibre (seepage 35) and Spinnova, of Jyväskylä,Finland, is scaling up the manufacture ofits specialist cellulosic filament fibrewhich is produced from pulp without theuse of a dissolving process. In addition,Spinnova is conducting research into theuse of textile waste and bio-based wasteas feedstocks.

OpportunitySome of these companies are poised tocommercialise their products in 2021,representing an exciting opportunity fortextile and apparel companies seeking toimprove the environmental sustainabilityof their products.

Indeed, cellulosic fibres derived fromtextile and clothing waste are attractinghigh commercial interest, and a numberof the apparel industry’s key players –including H&M Group, Kering andPatagonia – have invested in start-upsinnovating in this field. Other companiesand others have established partnership

agreements through which they areexploring the use of such fibres in themanufacture of innovative new products.

Looking to the future, demand forcellulosic fibres – and lyocell in particular– is set for healthy growth, and so thereis much opportunity for providers ofcellulosic fibres derived from textile andclothing waste. Collaboration is key tobringing such products to market and,to support progress in this area, somemajor industry projects have beenestablished, including the Full CircleTextiles Project: Scaling Innovations inCellulosic Recycling, and the NewCotton Project.

CompetitionHowever, Textiles Intelligence notes thatstart-ups entering the market arecompeting with some industryheavyweights – including Asahi Kasei,Birla Cellulose, Lenzing, Sateri, andTangshan Sanyou. Consequently, theywill need to keep abreast of the latestdevelopments – notably those relatingto traceability. Consumers aredemanding increasingly that materialsincorporated in textile and apparelproducts are capable of being tracedalong the entire supply chain. This is considered to be particularlyimportant in relation to fibres derivedfrom recycled materials, and Lenzinghas made major strides in this areathrough its use of innovative blockchain technology. SNWwww.textilesintelligence.com

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Shredded denim and Circulose pulp.

Finished sheets of Circulose pulp.

Cellulosics_HD_Layout 1 08/02/2021 16:07 Page 33

A $101.4 million US project with Archer-Daniels-Midlandwill usher Spiber’s Brewed Protein into the mainstream.

Fermented focus

At the end of December 2020,Japanese biotechnologyspecialist Spiber – the developerof Brewed Protein materials –

raised 25 billion Japanese yen (approxi-mately US$240 million) in a financinground arranged by Mitsubishi UFJMorgan Stanley Securities.The capital raised will be used primarily

to support Yamagata-headquarteredSpiber’s joint project with Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) to establish a large-scaleBrewed Protein polymer productionfacility in Clinton, Iowa, as well as otherongoing material development projectsand other initiatives.

BiomassBrewed Protein materials are producedfrom plant-derived biomass using aproprietary fermentation process and canbe processed into a variety of forms,with examples ranging from delicatefilament fibres with a silky sheen to spunyarns that boast features such ascashmere-like softness or the thermaland moisture-wicking properties of wool. Spiber’s in-house technology allows for

the production of animal-free fur andleather alternatives, and Brewed Proteinscan also be processed into resins closelyresembling tortoiseshell or animal horn.With potential uses ranging from medicalapplications to lightweight compositematerials, they are highly adaptable.Designed to be non-reliant on

petrochemicals as primary feedstock, andto not create or break down into environ-mentally persistent microplastics, BrewedProtein materials have considerably lessimpact on marine ecosystems whencompared to traditional plastic materials.The unique microbial fermentationtechnology employed also shows consid-erable potential for avoiding the highgreenhouse gas emissions often associatedwith commonly-used animal fibres.Prototype products based on Brewed

Protein have so far been pioneered byThe North Face, with the Moon Parka,and the Vision Quest blended woolsweater for Hapan’s Goldwyn.

Mass productionAfter more than 15 years of researchand development, Spiber is nowfocusing on the transition to massproduction. Its Thailand plant, currentlyunder construction, is scheduled tobegin commercial operation later thisyear with an annual capacity of severalhundred tons.In Iowa, subsidiary Spiber America will

combine its technology with ADM’s deepexpertise in large-scale fermentationtechnologies, engineering, operationsand extensive agricultural supply chain.The two companies have started tomodify and expand equipment at ADM’sbioprocessing biorefinery in Clinton. The Brewed Protein polymers will be

produced by ADM in the US using plant-

based dextrose as a feedstock, and thenshipped to Spiber’s downstream facilities,where they will be processed into anarray of materials – primarily fibres – foruse in a variety of applications.“From our partnerships with farmers

and our efficient origination networkand our ability to provide sustainably-sourced feedstocks from nature to ourexpertise in fermentation and scalingtechnology to commercial production,we have a substantial leadership positionin the fast-growing market for moresustainable products,” said Ian Pinner,ADM’s chief strategy and innovationofficer and president of the company’sHealth & Wellness division. “AcrossADM, we are creating value forcustomers and shareholders alike byfinding innovative, exciting ways to useour array of plant-based products.”An economic development incentive

package approved by the Iowa EconomicDevelopment Authority (IEDA) includesdirect assistance in the amount of $1million of the estimated $101.4 millioncapital investment.“Iowa has a deep understanding of the

positive impact of projects like ours andhas created an environment that isconducive to success,” said Daniel Meyer,president of Spiber America. “This awardwill enable Spiber to accelerate itsinvestment in the equipment andinfrastructure used to convert corn-baseddextrose into alternative proteins for useas next-generation biomaterials acrossmany industries.”Spiber’s new financing structure differs

from a standard corporate loan and isunusual for Japan, in allowing thecompany to leverage not only hardassets such as its research anddevelopment equipment and Thailandcommercial polymer production facilities,but also its extensive intangible assetssuch as its IP portfolio. SNW


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Spiber_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:32 Page 34

Infinna is the name of the new bio-based regenerated fibre beinglaunched by Infinited Fiber Company,located in Espoo, Finland.The company has developed a rapid

and cost-effective process for turningcotton-rich waste textiles into high-quality, bio-based regenerated fibres.The process works with any cellulose-

rich raw material – including discardedtextiles, used cardboard, rice or wheatstraw – turning them into cellulosecarbamate fibres with the look and feelof cotton.The Infinited technology is based on

three key processes – fibre separationfrom the waste materials, turning thefibre waste into liquids, and then turningthe liquids back into new fibres.In addition, the process can be

readily integrated into existing pulpplants, lowering both investment costsand risks. As an add-on process inexisting viscose plants meanwhile, itprovides the additional benefit ofeliminating the hazardous chemicalcarbon disulphide (CS2).

CollaborationsInfinited has already announced collabo-rations with six of the world’s leadingfashion and textile brands – Bestseller,H&M Group, Patagonia, PVHCorporation and Wrangler.“The feedstock is waste, and the

technology does not use high amountsof water or harmful chemicals,” saidCamilla Skjønning Jørgensen,Sustainable Materials and InnovationManager at Bestseller. “The fibre iscommercial quality and can be used tocreate the styles that our customers love.The clothes we make using it can evenbe recycled again. All of this is makingInfinited technology the ultimatesolution to our strategy of becomingcircular by design.” “This shows the industry that apparel

waste has high value and is somethingto be utilised,” added Patagonia’sMaterials Development Director SarahHayes. “This waste is not only beingupcycled but is being used to make anew premium fibre that can help pushthe industry towards circularity.” The six brands have now conducted in-

house quality testing on various types oftextiles created from Infinited fibres,including single jersey, French terry, denimand shirting fabrics. Each has found thefibres and textiles they have tested tomeet their brand’s stringent materialquality requirements and view the fibresas ready for commercial applications.

NonwovensLeading global supplier of nonwovensSuominen will also be using Infinna fibres.“We have been working closely with

Infinited and it has been thrilling to seeresults develop from an idea into acommercially viable product,” said thecompany’s product development managerMiika Nikinmaa. “We see great benefits inworking with Infinited for circular productdesign and a less wasteful future foressential single-use items.” In December, Infinited signed a

cooperation agreement with Andritz, towork together to bring the technologyto market.“The Andritz equipment and process

portfolio offers good opportunities forfibre production technology, and ourcooperation with Infinited is a significantstep towards creating a new type oftextile fibre,” said Kari Tuominen,president and CEO of Andritz. “Textilewaste recirculation is becomingmandatory in the EU in 2025 and wewant to be involved in developing newbio-based fibres from textile waste andalso from other pulp-based materials.”Andritz will then build equipment for

both the mechanical and chemical pre-treatment processes, as well as for thecarbamation process. This will quickly befollowed by factory deliveries, withInfinited already expecting to securecommercial deals during 2021.“Bringing to market a new

technology, a new fibre type, and even anew way of operating in accordancewith circular economy principals requiresthe creation of a strong ecosystem ofexperts working towards commongoals,” said Infinited Co-founder andCEO Petri Alava. “Andritz is a leadingfactory equipment supplier, and we aredelighted to be working with them toprepare our textile fibre regenerationtechnology for commercialisation.” SNW

BIOFIBRES

Finish technologydeveloper moves quicklyto commercialise itscellulose carbamate fibres.

All systems go for Infinited


Infinited_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:32 Page 35

Sustainability issues such as increased energy efficiencyand a reduction in resource use are playing an increasinglysignificant role in fabric manufacturers' buying decisions.

Greener options influenceinvestment ideas

Such is the level of continuousresearch and development in thenonwovens industry, we havebecome accustomed in recent

years to a regular stream of newtechnology announcements. This isparticularly true with regard to newmachinery, from all parts of thenonwovens manufacturing supply chain,with enhanced environmental credentials.With the disappearance of trade

shows and exhibitions from the calender,an inevitable result of the coronaviruspandemic, it’s fair to say that themachinery buying public has beendeprived of the visual unveilings andreal-life, expert presentations from theindustry’s leading technology suppliers.Keenly anticipated events, such as

INDEX and ANEX are both scheduled forthis year and, as it stands, will be theideal platforms for machinery manufac-turers to showcase their latestdevelopments, many of which will havebeen slated for launch in Spring 2020. International technology Group

Andritz, for example has had a numberof nonwovens production and textilesolutions in the pipeline.

Future-orientedAndritz says it has always invested infuture-oriented technologies that reducethe use of the various substances andraw materials required as well as cuttingenergy consumption. For the hygienebusiness, Andritz provides high level air-through bonding, spunlaid, spunjet,spunlace and Wetlace machines, as wellas converting technologies andcorresponding services to meet thesedemands for years to come.Such processes for the production of

biodegradable wipes, for example, areachieving high performance levels withnatural and/or renewable raw materials.The added benefit of using a blend offibres like wood pulp, short-cut cellulosicstaple fibres, viscose, cotton, hemp,bamboo or linen, without chemicaladditives or binders, results in a 100%biodegradable fabric, thereby meeting

customers’ needs, as well as supportingthe strong tendency to move away fromplastics and synthetics.In response to the demand to save

raw materials, Andritz offers its neXlinespunlace technology for lightweightfabrics. Decreasing weight per squaremetre while maintaining high MD andCD tensile strength is the mainchallenge. Indeed, fibres account for asubstantial part of the production costs.Very high productivity is needed for thelighter fabrics required with perfectuniformity. Andritz provides the well-known TT card web forming and thehigh-performance Jetlace hydroentan-glement units, which it says can morethan fulfill these challenges. Thespunlace roll goods may achieveweights of 25 gsm and even less forultralight spunlace fabrics, and webuniformity is excellent.As well as the well-known calender

technologies, Andritz also deliversSpunjet technologies, finishing solutions,and state-of-the-art dryers. Customers



Andritz neXline spunlace line.Image: © ANDRITZ

Technology_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:31 Page 36

can produce the exact fabric character-istics they need, the company says. “Thepatented nonwovens process called-Spunjet is the in-line hydroentanglementof continuous filaments, creating a newgeneration of spunlaid nonwovens withunrivalled bulkiness and softnesscompared to standard spunbondfabrics,” says Andritz. “Spunjet offerscustomers the best properties everachieved in existing and newnonwovens applications.”In order to optimize processes and

gain a faster return on investment,Andritz says it is continuouslydeveloping innovative products. In theneedlepunch segment, for example, ithas developed ProWin technology forprofile weight correction.This unit combines the well-known

technologies ProWid and ProDyn,enabling even better performance. Byuniting these processes, customers havean even more homogeneous web andcan reduce the input of raw materials.ProWin minimizes the level of instan-taneous acceleration as well as themaximum internal speeds. As aconsequence, the same machine can runfaster with less mechanical stress.

ProWin can also be retrofitted to recentProDyn installations.With new development of the unique

PA3000 pre-needleloom, the companysays it is also responding to customerdemands for higher capacities and lighterproducts. The PA3000 is an optimizedcylinder pre-needleloom, which offersgreater speeds and widths and has beenspecially developed for lighter webs.There is no friction between the web andthe rolls, and there are no issues with thevisual appearance.

Tailor-madeTechnology group Dilo has been workingon a number of developments coveringtailor-made production systems from fullfibre opening to the finished felt.A key development is a new,

simplified elliptical needle beam drive,which is designed to make Dilo’sHyperpunch technology more attractivefor standard applications. Hyperpunch H V allows a more

uniform stitch distribution in the pre-needling process particularly incombination with the new needlepattern 6000X. In a complete needlingline this felt homogenization process can

be improved further, Dilo says. “Thenew needle pattern 8000X is amilestone in the needle patterndevelopment process and results in endproduct surfaces with low markings overa wide range of advances/stroke.”Also worthy of note is the 3D-Lofter

which, first presented during ITMA2019, opens up a range of nonwovensapplications by exploring the thirddimension. A series of single webforming units, which work according tothe aerodynamic web forming principle,deliver defined fibre masses in variedpatterns on a base needlefelt. A stressoriented production of technical formedparts resulting in fibre savings orpatterned DI-LOUR or DI-LOOP feltswithout repeat are two examples for thistechnology which explores newapplication areas for needlefelts.The 3D-Lofter technology may also be

used “inverted” for filling up bad spotsin web mats and therefore achieves abetter homogeneity of spunlace orairlaid products.The DiloLine 4.0 concept offers I 4.0

modules which as well as supporting theuser, also facilitate quality control andmaintenance by maximum data

MANUFACTURING

�


Dilo offers tailor-made production systemsfrom full fibre opening to the finished felt.


transparency in production and controlof operation. The Dilo ‘Smart Start’solutions for a fully automatic start ofthe production line or DI-LOWATT forenergy savings are accompanied bySiemens solutions which can be selectedvia App or MindSphere Data Cloud.

CompetitiveAmongst the recent innovations fromAutefa Solutions are developments forthe spunlace sector which, says thecompany, includes particularlycompetitive options for end productmanufacturers such as complete lines forthe production of direct and crosslappedspunlace products.According to Marco Fano, CMO

Autefa Solutions, the web formingprocess, consisting of the Injection Cardand Crosslapper Topliner series, is key forhigh and consistent nonwoven fabric

features for Spunlace applications. Thehighest layering speeds and preciseweight distribution are possible thanks tothe integrated drafting unit, compen-sation belt, antistatic equipment andnew designed transport aprons.With the Hydroentanglement

Machine V-Jet FUTURA, AutefaSolutions says it recently closed themissing link within the companies’product portfolio between the verysuccessful Autefa web formingtechnology and the drying technology. The V-Jet FUTURA and the Square

Drum Dryer SQ-V represent particularlyadvanced technology, offering asignificant reduction of energyconsumption compared to any state-of-the-art line.The Square Drum Dryer SQ-V also

combines the advantage of a horizontalbelt dryer and the better drying

quality. “There is still a huge demand forSpunlace Lines and our unique webforming technology meets ourcustomers’ requirements,” he explains.“This advanced Spunlace technologyoffers a quick return on investments withour customers appreciating theperformance and quality of AutefaSolutions Lines.”The main challenge in high-speed web

forming lines for Spunlace is to keepfibres at any time and process stageunder control. Autefa Solutions Injectioncard enables (Drylaid) web forming atvery high production. The Injection Carduses a combination of mechanical andaerodynamic principles for a gentle fibretreatment. The Injection Card delivers aquality web at the highest productionslevels with a better MD/CD. With theTopliner CL4006 SL Autefa Solutions,also offers a crosslapper with special

Dilo hydroentanglement cooperation Dilo Group has strengthened its position in the supply of complete hydroentanglement lines following an agreement with Italy’s SICAM.Dilo is a major supplier of complete lines for nonwoven fabric production and has traditionally specialized in all types of needling lines for staplefibre products as well as high-speed needlelooms for spunbond production.A further element key of its sales program for several decades has been fibre preparation and high-speed web-forming equipment for othernonwoven technologies. In recent years though, notes Dilo, there has been a shift to higher throughput rates, and in some cases in Asia, a requirement for improvedMD/CD strength ratios of hydroentangled products. In addition, Dilo’s further development of the high-speed layering principle “Hyperlayer” hasmade considerable progress for better CD strength through a combination of inline cards and crossline card with crosslapper. In particular, carding machines in a working width above 3.5m up to 5.1m have been supplied by DiloSpinnbau as complete high speed cardingsystems, comprising two or even three cards in a line to directly feed the hydroentangling units of various suppliers.Together with DiloTemafa, not only have high throughput rates been achieved in the fibre preparation section of the line but also dedustingfiltering and air-conditioning systems have been successfully engineered and integrated.Until recently, Dilo did not supply complete lines including water-jet units, ovens and end-ofline equipment to the important hydroentanglementmarket segment. This position has now been remedied with the signing of a new partnership with Sicam. “Together with Sicam, we havecombined know-how for hydroentangling technology and therefore can provide complete lines as general contractor including equipment forcutting, winding and packaging,” Dilo said, adding that it has also recently sold a complete line for hydroentangled products in Portugal. “Themarket for medical and hygiene lightweight products isbooming and will require more hydroentangling capacity.On the basis of our considerable fibre preparation and web-forming know-how we are looking forward to asuccessful cooperation with Sicam covering the marketwith our related activities.”




efficiency with the space advantage of adrum dryer, resulting in increased dryinglength with a smaller footprint.

WipesAs a supplier of complete productionlines Truetzschler says that its latestinnovations offer enhanced productquality, better line efficiency and higherproductivity, all of which contribute toenergy and other resource savings. With this in mind, a stand-out

development has been its latesttechnology for the production ofsustainable and affordable wipes.As Truetzschler notes, in terms of fibre

fineness – most fibres range between 3-5,5 Mic or 1,0-2,8 dtex – strength andabsorbent capacity make cotton fibresan ideal raw material for single-use dryand wet wipes.There are, however, two reasons for

the limited usage of cotton fibres insingle-use nonwovens. Firstly, cotton ishigher priced than less expensiveviscose/polyester blends most times. Andsecondly, cotton fibres are naturalproducts whose qualities vary bothregionally and from year to year.Truetzschler says it has addressed these

challenges by introducing new lineconcepts for efficiently making cottonnonwovens for wipes or hygiene textiles.

This includes reliably turning evencomber noils, short or unbleached cottonfibres into high-value products.Truetzschler’s random and airlay cards

have been configured to cope withvariable fibre lengths and a high shortfibre content. The NCR and NCA cardsare able to form webs for the kind of softcotton wipes sought after in premiummarkets worldwide, the company says.Also noteworthy are lines for fully

biodegradable wet-laid and spunlaced

(WLS) wipes. Along with its partner,Voith, Truetzschler says it goes beyondsimply flushable wipes, offering pulp andlyocell-based materials with sufficientstrength to compete with conventionalwipes from polyester/viscose blends. Thisis possible on machinery from bothcompanies, such as Voith’s HydroFormerand Truetzschler’s AquaJet, whichtogether add up to a versatile wet-layingand spunlacing line for environmentallyfriendly end products. SNW

MANUFACTURING


Autefa SolutionsHydroentanglementMachine V-Jet Futuraand Square DrumDryer SQ-V.

Truetzschler’s wet-laid-spunlacedand structured nonwoven.


Innovatec is ramping up production of its specialitynonwovens fabrics with a series of key investments.

Innovatec lines up further growth

I nnovatec has started production on itssecond Oerlikon Nonwoven’smeltblown system with the Troisdorf -based nonwovens manufacturer using

the line for the production ofpolypropylene filter nonwovens for usein protective facemasks.“Back in June 2020, Oerlikon

Nonwoven delivered the first so-called 2-beam system to Innovatec,” said RainerStraub, head of Oerlikon Nonwoven,adding that with this second productionline, Innovatec has been able to almostdouble its filter nonwoven output to date. The company now has filter media

production capacities that can be used tomanufacture up to 2.5 billion operatingroom filter masks or one billion highly-effective FFP2 masks per year.Innovatec is currently participating in

the German Government’s ‘NonwovensProduction’ grant program to ramp up itsoutput capacities which has included avisit from German politicians, includingFederal Minister for Economic AffairsPeter Altmaier and North Rhine-Westphalia Minister President Armin

Laschet. Together, politicians and industrywant to ensure that the productioncapacities for protective equipmentcontinue to grow in Germany and thatabove all critical supply chains are securedat both national and European levels. The company has also invested in a

new Reicofil Bico spunbond line fromReifenhauser which, once operational inJuly 2021, will expand the company’sproduction of technical spunbond fabricsby 5,500 metric tons.This new investment follows the earlier

expansion of its spunbond fabricbusiness in 2020.“With this consequent focus of

innovative strength and highest qualitystandards, Innovatec has become themarket leader in the field of meltblownfabrics,” said Innovatec owner ChristianKloeber. “We want to pursue this path inthe market of spunbond fabrics bysustainably expanding our growth.”Innovatec will house the new line in a

new production hall which is currentlyunder construction in Troisdorf. Thefacility will also be sizable enough to

house further lines, ensuring the companyhas capacity for significant furthergrowth. Innovatec is initially concentratingon the production of technical spunbondusing RF4 BiCo technology with aproduction width of 3.2 metres.In addition to PP nonwovens, this plant

will also produce polyester and PLAnonwovens. Moreover, various BiCovariations can be produced, significantlybroadening Innovatec’s product portfolioBiCo technology offers a wide range

of technical possibilities, especially whenit comes to enhancing the strength ofthe nonwovens. Using this line,Innovatec will be able to use lighter basisweights which in turn can help reducethe amount of natural resources used.In addition to the high product quality

and higher process stability, Innovatec saidit also was also impressed with the high-energy efficiency levels of the Reicofil line.“With this new spunbond plant we

will increase our output of nonwovensby around 5,500 metric tons per year. Atthe same time, we are increasinglyfocusing on sustainable production byusing granulates based on renewableraw materials or recycled plastics.Compared to the market, we willachieve a very high energy efficiency,”added managing director DanielKrumme. “In order to deliver on ourquality promises, we are only investingin state-of-the-art units. We successfullyapplied this strategy concerning ourmeltblown fabrics and we will continuealong this path.”Under the brand name InnovaSpun,

Innovatec already offers tailor-madesolutions for spunbond fabrics for arange of applications in the construction,filtration and automotive industries. SNW



Oerlikon Nonwoven meltblown technology for producing high-efficiency filter media from synthetic fibers.

Facemasks from Innovatec.

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Asuccessful collaborationbetween three companies inBavaria, which formed a ‘Mask-Alliance’ to help combat the

spread of coronavirus, has welcomedseveral new members.Last May, nonwovens manufacturer

Sandler AG, PIA Automation and ZettlGroup, a key supplier of products forautomotive interiors, established theMask-Alliance-Bavaria. Together, they setup an entire value chain for themanufacture of facemasks in the region,which culminated in September with theinauguration of a new production line toproduce filter media for facemasks.The new line now has the capacity to

produce around 600 million mouth-nose-protection masks a year.With a view to increasing the

effectiveness, safety, usability, as well asthe sustainability of facemask materials,the procedures are continuously beingtried and tested. In order to furtheradvance this development new partnershave signed up to join the Mask-Alliance Bavaria.Professor Clarissa Prazeres da Costa,

infectiologist, senior physician formedical microbiology and infectionepidemiology, and co-director of theCenter of Global Health of the TechnicalUniversity of Munich (TUM), and hercolleague Magnus Fröhling, professor forCircular Economy at TUM, as well asprofessor Franz-Xaver Reichl, microbi-ologist, pharmacologist and toxicologist,of Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversityMunich (LMU), and product safetyexperts from the team of Jörg-TimmKilisch of the German organizationDEKRA, want to contribute theircomprehensive know-how to thedevelopment of new medical masks. In addition, Bayern Innovativ (Bavaria

innovative), an organisation that

facilitates innovation and knowledgetransfer in the region, is supporting thealliance in identifying suitable fundingprogrammes and in developing furthercompetences within the scope of itscluster and networking activities.“The intended close cooperation of

member companies, research institutionsand testing authorities aims to bringtogether the specific key competencesand enable a swift transfer of knowledgeand technology to small and medium-sized enterprises, the medical sector, andstandardization,” the Alliance said in ajoint statement. “Insights obtained fromthis cooperation could also be applied toprotective masks for kids or to a secondgeneration of simpler mouth-nose-protection masks. With theseendeavours, the Mask-Alliance Bavaria istaking the next steps towards quicklyand focally advancing mask developmentand production in Bavaria.”

WindowedAn interesting development in Canadahas seen Entreprise Prémont launch theHumask-Pro Vision, a windowed maskspecially designed for the family and

professional circle of people withhearing loss. The new mask has a transparent

window allowing lip reading, which isnecessary to compensate for hearing loss.“This product will protect people in

the professional and family circle whosefacial expressions must be seen tocommunicate easily in situations andplaces when two metres of distancingcan’t be maintained – for example, inthe hospital, at school, at daycare and atwork,” said Luc Girard, an EntreprisePrémont partner. “Our R&D team hassucceeded in developing a safe andergonomic product on the technologicalcutting edge,” Production has already begun to meet

the strong demand for this type of maskin Québec, Canada and the United States. “We are currently able to manufacture

thousands of masks per week andstarting in January 2021, output willspeed up to millions of units per week,because we are on the way to fullyautomated production,” Girard added.The mask’s unique design was

conceived to offer space between themouth and the transparent window

COVID-19

�

New developments and new alliances are continuingto lead the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Seems like team spirit


Humask-Pro Vision, a windowedmask specially designed for thefamily and professional circle ofpeople with hearing loss.

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for greater comfort and optimumbreathability. Made from hypoallergenicand microporous membranes, its anti-fogging and anti-glareproperties are obtained from HUcarefiltration technology. Humask-Pro Vision’s tight welds also

provide enhanced protection.“Humask-Pro Vision is the result of

Québec ingenuity and know-how intechnical textiles and manufacturing,”said Dany Charest, general manager ofTechniTextile Québec, the Cluster ofExcellence in technical textile materials.“The local supply of medical personalprotective equipment is at the core ofQuébec’s health and economic recoveryand the pandemic has confirmed theimportance for governments andhealthcare institutions to procure locally.This innovation clearly proves our abilityas an industry to mobilize in order toprovide a sustained supply of theequipment necessary for the protectionof healthcare workers, patients and thepublic, as well as the quality of life ofpeople with hearing loss.”

AntiviralFollowing a series of investmentsdesigned to help in the fight againstCOVID-19, nonwovens producer Fitesahas expanded its product range toinclude an antiviral product – FitesaShield AV – with a material thatinactivates 99% of Coronavirus within15 minutes of contact. Within 30 minutes, the test samples

show the virus to be inactivated. Testswere conducted by Unicamp inNovember 2020 with the MHV strain ofCoronavrius – the same genus and familyof SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS.Fitesa Shield AV nonwovens have silver

ions in their structure, integrated in aprocess that secures a lasting effectthroughout the product’s lifecycle. Thetreatment is non-toxic, meets all FDA andEU requirements and does not impactany other physical or chemical properties.The Fitesa Shield AV product line

consists of antiviral spunbond andmultilayer SMS that can be used invarious applications such as theproduction of surgical gowns anddrapes, sterilization wraps, head covers,shoe covers, bed linens and laminates,

including important respiratoryprotection equipment like N95 masksand respirators.“These results are further evidence of

our commitment to the healthcare marketand our team’s technical expertise,” saidMateus Inacio, vice president of globaloperations. “It also complements ourproduct portfolio in preparation for thestart-up of new production lines that willsignificantly increase our productioncapacity worldwide.”Recent investments by Fitesa include a

new multi-layer Reicofil 5 line beinginstalled in Cosmópolis (SP, Brazil) andnew meltblown machines in Brazil, Italy,Germany and the US.

CapacityHoneywell has significantly increasedproduction capacity and expandedoperations to help address increaseddemand for PPE across the US with thecompany delivering more than 225million facemasks in December.The company delivered the N95

respirators and disposable, surgical facemasks to multiple locations in the U.S.for health care systems, the FederalEmergency Management Agency(FEMA), and the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services. In addition, it shipped millions of

masks to state and local governments insupport of their response to COVID-19and for their personal protectiveequipment (PPE) stockpiles.“We are honored to play a part in

providing much-needed PPE to those

workers responding to the pandemic inthe US,” said Praveen Reddy, president,Honeywell’s Personal Protective Equipmentbusiness. “Honeywell has made significantinvestments to expand our capacity toproduce N95 masks and other respiratoryproducts in the US and globally.”Honeywell produces a range of

respiratory protection products forworkers, including NIOSH-certified N95 masks, flat-fold single-use masksand elastomeric half-masks withreplaceable cartridges.By steadily increasing production

capacity, the company has the ability toproduce hundreds of millions offacemasks for health care and othercritical needs.In April, Honeywell rapidly started up

new N95 mask production operations atmultiple facilities in the U.S. Thecompany was able to begin operations injust five weeks by accelerating a processthat could normally take up to ninemonths. The operations were initiallycapable of producing 20 million masksper month, and Honeywell has steadilyincreased capacity throughout the year.“We are proud of our employees for

their hard work to produce, test,package and ship the millions of masksin order to meet this incrediblemilestone,” said Reddy. “These masks,produced here in the U.S., can helpprotect those health care workers, firstresponders and others who are workingtirelessly on the front lines.”The technical materials specialist has

also launched a new reusable, three-


42 | Sustainable Nonwovens | February / Mach 2021

Honeywell has significantlyincreased production capacityand expanded operations tohelp address increaseddemand for PPE across the US.


dimensional knitted face cover withreplaceable nonwoven filters foreveryday use.The Honeywell Dual-Layer Face Cover

features an innovative 3D knit designthat contours to the wearer’s face and ismade with a washable material, makingit easy to clean.The face cover also has a hidden

pocket that securely holds a Honeywellprotective filter made with meltblownpolypropylene, which is similar to thematerial used in the construction of N95 masks. The replaceable filter canblock up to 97% of 3.0-micron-sizedparticles (BFE) and 0.1-micron-sizedparticles (PFE). 2“Honeywell has vast experience in

developing respiratory innovations forindustrial workers and first responders,and we have leveraged that expertise tobring the Dual-Layer Face Cover tomarket,” said Praveen Reddy, presidentof Honeywell’s personal protectiveequipment business. “When socialdistancing measures are difficult tomaintain, people want a protective face covering that is comfortable, easy-to-clean, stylish and manufacturedby an industry-leading safety technology provider.”The face covering’s base layer features

a seamless, 3D knit construction usingpolyester, nylon and cotton and providesfour-way stretch, minimizing gaps andenhancing comfort. It has a contoureddesign with adjustable ear straps, aflexible nose clip and ventilation holes forenhanced comfort, function andbreathability for most adult face shapesand sizes.In addition to the new reusable face

covers, Honeywell also offers individualSafety Packs for people attendingsporting events, traveling or visitingpublic places. The resealable, easy-to-open kits include a disposable face mask,gloves and wipes.These new safety products are part of

Honeywell’s strategic initiative to quicklydevelop and deploy solutions to helpimportant sectors of the global economyrecover and to help protect people asthey return to public spaces. It has alsoincreased production of N95 face masksglobally to help protect frontlinehealthcare workers, emergency

responders and governments inresponding to COVID-19.Honeywell notes that the new masks

are not FDA approved, not testedagainst COVID-19, and not intended formedical use.The filter material tested by external

labs, as per testing requirements ofASTM F2100-19.

LocalIn Italy, RadiciGroup is investing €15million in a new meltblown productionline as it looks to ramp up its productionof filtration fabrics for use in protectiveface masks and other PPE.The Bergamo-based firm says it has

been at the forefront in the fight againstthe spread of Covid-19 from thebeginning of the pandemic, rapidlysetting up a production chain involvinglocal factories for the manufacture ofspunbond nonwoven for medical gownsand other personal protective equipment. With a view to helping Italy become an

increasingly independent producer ofPPE, Maurizio Radici, vice president andCOO of RadiciGroup said the decisionwas taken to produce meltblown fabrics,a nonwoven not readily available in theItalian market. “In the midst of thepandemic crisis the lack of meltblownnonwoven became evident,” Radici said.“We kept receiving tens of requests frompotential customers. A very smallquantity of meltblown material isproduced in Europe, which is certainlynot sufficient to meet demand in ahealth emergency. Given our extensive

experience in the field of nonwovens, weswiftly began figuring out how to set upa chain for the production of PPE in Italy.And, as soon as the opportunity arose totake concrete action, we had nohesitation to jump on it.”The new line is currently being

installed at Tessiture Pietro Radici SpA, amember of the RadiciGroup based inGandino near Bergamo. The highcapacity line is capable of processing arange of raw materials such aspolypropylene as well as polyester,polyamide and TPU. Enrico Buriani, CEO of Tessiture Pietro

Radici, added: “With this new lineinstalled in the Seriana Valley – amongthe areas in Italy that have been hardesthit by the coronavirus pandemic,RadiciGroup will become one of the fewEuropean manufacturers able to offerboth spunbond nonwoven – a well-known product already produced byTessiture Pietro Radici for many years andused in protective face masks as both theouter layer of fabric and the inner one indirect contact with the face – andmeltblown, which is the real filtering andprotective component of all types ofmasks, including surgical and FFP2 orFFP3 protective masks.” In terms of production capacity, the new

line will be able to produce about 120tons of meltblown nonwoven per month,or enough material to make about 170million surgical masks per month.“The objective is to reduce the

dependence on imports from non-European countries – indeed, during the

COVID-19


RadiciGroup is investing €15 million in anew meltblown production line as it looks toramp up its production of filtration fabrics foruse in protective face masks and other PPE.

�


pandemic, there have been longslowdowns in deliveries of imports – andto bring back to Italy the production ofessential products for health protectionneeded during health emergencies,”Buriani added. “Suffice it to say that,from February to August 2020, Italyimported €2.66 billion worth of masks,92% of which came from China. Webelieve it is vital for Italy not to be caughtunprepared in future health emergencies. “Our country must have its own

production of essential goods, and ourpurchase of the new line for theproduction of meltblown nonwoven is astep in that direction. At the same time,the production line is an investment forour Group, because we must alsoconsider the fact that other technicalapplications will be found for thismaterial, such as filtration, thuspresenting prospects for economicsustainability in the medium term.”The installation of the machinery will

be completed in early 2021, after whichthe line will start operating 24 hours aday, 7 days a week.

Supply chainA new installation has also taken place atArmbrust American which hasannounced that its facilities are nowcapable of producing meltblown fabric,giving the company full supply chaincontrol for the production of surgical andN95 facemasks.Armbrust is manufacturing a new

Electrostatic Armor Meltblown, the company’s new proprietary blend of meltblown filtration material that

more easily adds a static charge and allows those wearing a maskgreater breathability. Company founder and CEO Lloyd

Armbrust said the move to produce itsown meltblown would allow ArmbrustAmerican to control costs and betterscale its operations so that America’s firstresponders have the protection theyneed. “Nine months into this pandemic,a lack of domestic manufacturing is theonly explanation for why America stilldoes not have enough PPE,” he said.“Investing to produce our ownmeltblown means we aren’t dependenton other countries.”The majority of meltblown material is

currently manufactured in China andsold to U.S. manufacturers. This, saidArmbrust, has caused prices for PPE toskyrocket, with some health serviceproviders now passing those expenses topatients in the form of surcharges,according to recent reports.

High-fluidityIn terms of raw materials for facemask,plastics, chemicals and refining companyLyondellBasell is introducing MoplenHP560Z, a polypropylene with a meltflow rate (MFR) of 1500 for meltblownnonwoven applications. The company says it is the first in

Europe to offer this type of high-fluiditypolypropylene. While the majority ofMFR 1500 grades for meltblownnonwoven applications have so farmainly been produced in Asian countries,European demand has seen an increase,with the growing number of regionalproduction entities for PPE, and specif-ically facemasks. A swift regionalsolution for a high-end medical gradewas therefore needed.The very high fluidity of Moplen

HP560Z allows the creation of facemaskswith the best filtration level, providingthe highest protection efficiency possible.An additional advantage is that

Moplen HP560Z has been tailoredspecifically for the latest small-scalemeltblown nonwoven machines whichare now widely used for facemaskproduction in Europe.“LyondellBasell is known for

finding solutions to challenges it faces,and the rapid development of MoplenHP560Z is evidence of our ability to meet our customer’s needs in theEuropean market,” said JochemMeijknecht, marketing manager atLyondellBasell. “It is exciting to be thefirst company to offer a MFR 1500 grademade in Europe.”Moplen HP560Z is produced by

LyondellBasell plants in Spain.

44 | Sustainable Nonwovens | February / Mach 2021


LyondellBasell is introducing Moplen HP560Z.

Armbrust American is now capable ofproducing meltblown fabric, giving thecompany full supply chain control for theproduction of surgical and N95 facemasks.


Antiviral Sorpol, an importer and distributor ofindustrial raw materials in Israel, has launched a website to sell ActeevProtect masks, made in the USA bypolyamide manufacturer AscendPerformance Materials. The twocompanies also plan to partner in thedistribution of Acteev surgical masks,N95 respirators, nonwoven media andtextile fabrics as they become available.Laboratory tests have demonstrated

Acteev fabric effective at deactivating99.9% of the viruses SARS-CoV-2, thecause of COVID-19, and H1N1, a fluvirus. Acteev technology also eliminatesbacteria and fungi.Ofer Soreq, Sorpol’s marketing director,

said the Acteev Protect line fits in neatlywith the mission of the company, whichwas founded by his grandfather 90 yearsago. “Our customers are looking forhigh-value ‘smart textiles’ – products withspecial features, like innovative protectivetechnology and a sustainable footprint,that can help keep them safe and helpthem return to the lives they enjoyedbefore the pandemic,” he said. “Peopledeserve a better quality of maskprotection than what is offered by the mass-produced disposablepolypropylene masks.”Recent testing on Acteev fabric

completed at the University ofCambridge has demonstrated thatActeev technology deactivates the virusthat causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, with99.9% efficacy on contact. Ascend hassubmitted several masks designs to theU.S. Environmental Protection Agencyand the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-tration to obtain the appropriateregulatory clearances to make specificclaims regarding the technology’santiviral properties in the United States.In addition to antiviral, antifungal and

antibacterial protection, the washable,reusable masks are lightweight,breathable and odour-fighting, makingthem comfortable to wear during a longshift at work or for outdoor workouts.“Masks don’t work if you wear them

around your chin,” Soreq said. “ActeevProtect masks are so light, comfortableand fresh that they can be worn forhours without interfering with youractivities or irritating your face.”

Acteev Protect shows promise for use beyond masks, according to Ascend.The technology was originally developedfor workout wear, and now the company is working on textileapplications ranging from gloves to tohigh-end athleisure. “Until now,antifungal and antibacterial materials

were too expensive for textiles used in upholstery, outdoor gear,sports gear and the like,” Soreq said. “But you want to go on a 20-day trek and not haveyour gear smell like a dead animal.We believe Acteev Protect can makethat happen.” SNW

COVID-19

Laboratory tests havedemonstrated Acteev fabriceffective at deactivating 99.9%of the viruses SARS-CoV-2


Filter components help against virusTo address the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) from aerosolized viral particles,Porex Corporation, part of the US Filtration Group, is pioneering the use of viral filtrationefficiency (VFE) testing methods for the materials it supplies for use in medical devices. As the first company to run this new analysis, Porex has been able to consistently obtain a99.9987% VFE score for its filter materials, proving they help to protect healthcare workersand patients from aerosol-based viruses potentially present in medical settings.Georgia-based Porex initiated VFE testing for its materials after observing the needs of itscustomers, which frequently fielded concerns from patients and healthcare workers seekinginformation that the components used in various equipment procedures would not pose risksof a HAI contraction.Nearly one in 31 hospital patients acquires a HAI and these infections lead to an estimated99,000 annual deaths in US hospitals alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC).Healthcare workers face similar, if not greater, threats due to frequent exposure to viral pathogens.“The Covid-19 pandemic has magnified what was already a pressing issue in healthcaresettings around the world, which is that inadequate filtration materials put patients andprofessionals at risk of contracting dangerous viruses,” said Avi Robbins, vice president, ofglobal product development and R&D at Porex. “We took the step to lead the materialsindustry into VFE testing to validate efficacy, and we are thrilled to confirm that our filtrationand venting components are trustworthy and reliable for blocking viral particle spread.”Porex develops venting and filtration solutions via several core technology platforms such assintered particles, bonded fibre, PTFE and Oxyphen track-etched membranes. Filtration and venting media from Porex are suitable for suction canisters, catheters, syringesand other medical equipment utilized in aerosol-generating medical procedures.


Tubex, a division of the leading nonwovens producer Berry Global,has launched the first tree-shelter recycling scheme in the UK.

UK recycling scheme for Berry tree shelters

Tubex lightweight nonwovenfabric-based tree sheltersenhance tree growth anddevelopment while providing

individual protection from browsinganimals. In 2019, Tubex has calculatedthat its tree shelters saved 13 millionsaplings, which otherwise would more than likely not have survived, just in the UK.

Safe and efficientThe new recycling programme is fullydeveloped and operated by Tubex,based in Aberdare, Wales, in collabo-ration with its key UK distributors, anddesigned to offer a simple process forthe safe and efficient recycling of thecompany’s tree shelters. Under the scheme, when purchasing

Tubex tree shelters, users can request to

join the programme. At the same time,they are able to order bulk sacks forstoring the shelters once removed, readyfor them to be collected and transferredby the company to be recycled at one ofBerry Group’s recycling facilities.Once at the recycling facility, the tree

shelters are washed and recycled backinto polypropylene pellets and being re-used by Berry to manufacture new treeshelters, or in other businesses withinthe group. The Tubex standard tree shelters are

currently manufactured using recycledpolymer, and the company’s nettingrange is also produced with 85%recycled polymer. “While our tree shelters offer

innumerable benefits – from enhancedtree growth and protection against bothenvironmental and human factors – oneof the main challenges remains theirdisposal,” said Tubex sales managerRhauan Young. “With the creation of theTubex collection and recyclingprogramme, we hope to be able to offera simple and efficient solution to thewaste issue, providing an effectivescheme to ensure the responsible disposalof our products is available to everyoneand in turn creating a more circulareconomy for materials. Each recycling runwill result in 24,000 kilograms of newmaterial, which is the equivalent to nearly200,000 Tubex tubes.”

Microclimate The Forestry Commission in England didstudies in the early 1980s to establish theeffect of Tubex tree shelters on varioustree species. It was established that treesinside tree shelters show a significant



Tubex_HD_Layout 1 09/02/2021 10:28 Page 46

increase in height compared to treesgrown in nature, or inside mesh. Thegrowth of a plant is significantlyaccelerated in a tree shelter compared totrees grown in tree nets or in nature.This is because the tree shelter

provides an ideal microclimate that isconducive to improved plant growth. The factors that contribute to this

include temperature, levels of carbondioxide and moisture, light spectrumand intensity.All these factors have an impact on

the growth of the tree and on itsbiomass distribution through theprocesses of photosynthesis, respiration,transpiration and photomorphogenesis. The microclimate therefore has an

important impact on the metabolism orgrowth of the tree and affects theassimilation rate of carbon dioxide, thetranspiration rate, the energy budget ofthe leaves and more.The various benefits of the

microclimate can also be measured.Whereas heat can be measured bytemperature, moisture in the air can be measured by relative humidity (% RH)or vapour pressure. In particular, thevapour pressure deficit (VPD) – thedifference between the amount ofmoisture in the air and how much

moisture the air can hold when it issaturated – is very relevant for the growthof seedlings. As the VPD increases as theair dries, the plant needs to draw morewater from its roots. Another measure isthe Leaf-to-Air Vapour Pressure Deficit(LAVPD). These factors affect the transpi-ration rate as measured by the transpi-ration flux density.

Intricate balanceFor a plant to grow and develop properlyit must balance photosynthesis,respiration and transpiration. Left to theirown devices, plants do a good job ofmanaging this intricate balance. If aplant photosynthesises at a high rate,but its respiration rate is not highenough to break down the photosyn-thates produced, photosynthesis willeither slow down or stop. On the otherhand, if respiration is much more rapidthan photosynthesis, the plant will nothave adequate photosynthates toproduce energy for growth. As aconsequence, growth either will slowdown or stop altogether.The transpiration rate of a tree

depends on both climatic demand andits physiological capacity to meet thisdemand. Light radiation, the watervapour gradient between the leaf and its

surrounding air, and the wind contributeto create the climatic demand. Thedevelopment stage of the tree, the leafsurface, and the stomatal resistancemodify the physiological capabilities ofresponding to the microclimatic demand.Reduced transpiration rates may

induce high leaf temperatures. This maybe lethal for the foliage as temperaturesinside the shelter may be 10oC higherthan outside temperatures. On the otherhand, such low transpiration rates mayhelp conserve water reserves of the soiland delay the occurrence of a waterdeficit for the tree during the dry season.While this could be a useful attribute indry areas, weeds and soil evaporationmay use a significant amount of watersaved by the tree. For this reason, itweeding is strongly recommendedaround sheltered trees.Continuous low transpiration may not

be a problem, as long as the shelterremains sealed. A sudden air movementinside the shelter, however, will inducevery large transpiration rates, with nophysiological control. In such circum-stances, the tree may desiccate. It istherefore important that the tree shelteris well installed and the bottom incontact with the soil is sealed, to preventlifting by wind, animal or accident. SNW

RECYCLING


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Optimism dominated at the Future of Mobility virtual eventhosted by nonwovens leader Freudenberg Performance Materials,

writes consulting editor Adrian Wilson.

Freudenberg’s brightFuture of Mobility

In a poll conducted duringFreudenberg’s Future of Mobilitywebcast, well over 70% of attendeessaid they believed a climate neutral and

emissions-free transportation industrywas fully achievable in the near future.This vote of confidence could perhaps

have been influenced by the enthusiasmof keynote speaker Matthias Horx, of theFrankfurt-based Zukunfstinstitut, whopainted a very positive picture of a moveaway from linear thinking as a result ofthe Covid-19 pandemic this year.“Will the coronavirus just be a little

flaw in our inevitable progress?” heasked. “I really don’t think so – I think itwill stay with us. What we see is a worldlifted up into the air and everything is ina mess, but this will create a new order.For much of history, crisis has been a

normal state, but this is a special one –not a war, and not something relativelyminor in the greater scheme of thingslike the financial crisis, but somethingthat has resonance in every layer of life. “Society stopped, and that is new. In

the Hong Kong virus of the 1970s inwhich many thousands of people alsodied, nobody would have thought of juststopping everything. The dynamics ofchange are that for every trend thereeventually comes a counter trend leadingto the next step of the process, wheresomething different has to happen. Thisis where we are.”

GlocalizationGlobalisation, he added, has had “areally heavy run, with just-in-timeproduction and continuous outsourcing

to places where labour is cheaper, but ithas now created a new nationalism.“The concept of “glocalization” has

started to make a lot of sense to manypeople in 2020 and we think a lot ofstructures will start to follow the patternof local autonomy while retaining openconnections to a wider world.Outsourcing is over and nearshoring willbe the result.”Adding weight to this, Horx said, was

the movement of work to more mobileand virtual structures that has beenforced into daily routines in 2020, and asecond trend of the move away fromdense urban areas to suburbs withsufficient local amenities for makinglockdown situations tolerable. It wasnow also clear the internet had moved inthe wrong direction but for the first time



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Gas Diffuison layer.

in 2020, Facebook and other majorplayers have had to make interventionsto correct its path.As far as energy, he said, we are at the

end of the fossil age with more thanenough energy to be harvested from thesun, the wind and the waves.“We have experienced an

anthropause,” Horx concluded,presenting four potential views for whatthe world could look like in 100 yearstime – from the familiar dystopian desertto a greener utopia. “I believe it ispossible to actually make the worldgreener. It’s called progress and I stillbelieve in it. Sometimes a crisis isnecessary to point the way forward.”

New business modelsA roundtable discussion on the optionsfor the direction new mobility shouldtake involved Tim Horsenfeldt of Tier 1automotive supplier Schaeffler AG, UlfGroos, head of fuel systems at theFraunhofer ISE and Hugo Spowers,founder of Riversimple, the developer ofhydrogen-powered fuel cell electricvehicles based in Wales, UK.The general consensus was that it will

involve a combination of battery electricvehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles andbiosynthetic fuels, with the infrastructureto make them viable perhaps moreimportant than developing thetechnologies further.Spowers proposed an entirely new

business model involving a systemsapproach, looking at the lifetime cost ofa vehicle and not just the build cost,with a circular supply chain for parts inwhich systems like Blockchain couldprove instrumental.

InnovationsFour of the latest FreudenbergPerformance Materials products werethen presented. Tobias Speth explainedthe company’s new friction inserts forjoints, consisting of a 20 micron carriermaterial studded with 10-115 micronharder particles to create a microinterlocking system between parts whileadding no additional tolerance.This product addresses challenges with

new electric vehicles in terms of NVH(noise, vibration and harshness) whilehave no negative impact on corrosion.

The 100% inert materials increase thefriction coefficient of the part whileleading to reduced scrap rates, withbolted connections able to replace laserwelding processes for parts, requiringmuch reduced quality inspection for carmanufacturers and allowing higher torquefor lighter weight designs to be achieved.Jan Ketterman and Klemen Pokrivac

charted the development of acousticpads from the shoddy with chemicalbinders of the 1970s to latest threelayered Freudenberg solutions based onthree layered combinations of polyesterstaple fibres and a meltblown core.Similarly, Dr Arun Venugopal explained

how underbody parts had progressedfrom metal, to plastic and on to glassand polypropylene fibre based products,prior to the latest 100% polyesterlightweight Freudenberg designs. The company uses a proprietary

polyester spunbond which in compositeform delivers an improved acousticperformance along with much highertemperature resistance, while being100% recyclable and extremely easy tomould to shape.

GDLThe Freudenberg gas diffusion layer(GDL) for fuel cells successfully meets anumber of contradictory demands in fuelcell stacks that can be in assemblies ofup to 300-400, said Dr Volker Barnhardt.Within the single fuel cell stack, it is

positioned between the biopolar anodeand cathode plates at either side of thecatalyst coated membranes.The material has to be both thin and

stiff, porous but thermal and electricallyconductive, and keep water out whileensuring the membranes in the fuel cellremain wet.The GDLs are produced in a roll to roll

system with 100% camera-based surfaceinspection at Freudenberg.“The GDL is non-fragile and can be

easily processed, wound and converted,”Barnhardt said. “It has a superiormagnetic polishing liquid (MPL) surfacethat is crack free and smooth, with itsmorphology designed for customisedapplications. It has a high specific powerdensity and customers confirm it is theonly product available on the market witha thickness of just 120 microns.” SNW

AUTOMOTIVE


100% polyester lightweight underbody parts.

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aterial matters Material Matters Matters Material Matters Material Mial Matters Material Matters Mats Material Matters Mial Matters Material Matters Mattters Material Matters Material Ma Material Matters M

on this ambitious plan butare committed to developingthe best possible productsthat meet our consumers’ever-changing demands.”

The announcement followsKimberly-Clark’s 2019 pledgeto eliminate plastics from itsHuggies brand of baby wipesover the next five years, partof a wider plan to removesignificant amounts of plasticfrom its products by the endof the 2020 in its UK market.

Elsewhere, Huggies hasalso made significantprogress against the othergoals that make up its ‘TiniestFootprint’ Mission including: • Removing 359 tonnes

of plastic from its totalbaby wipes portfolio(on an annual basis)

• Removing 17 tonnes ofplastic a year from theHuggies Extra Careportfolio (on anannual basis)

• Removing the internalplastic bags within its largepack boxes, a saving of43 tonnes of plastic(on an annual basis)

LONDON - Kimberley Clarkhas launched its Huggies PureBiodegradable wipes in theUK. The plastic-free wipes aremade with 100% naturallyderived fibres withindependent testing showingthat they will biodegrade inlandfill conditions after 15days, making them the brand’sfirst biodegradable product.

“We know thisannouncement will be

welcome news for parentswho rely on these wipes asan everyday childcareessential but are also tryingto reduce their impact on theplanet,” said Ori Ben Shai,Vice President & ManagingDirector Kimberly-Clark UK &Ireland. “No parent shouldhave to compromise betweencaring for their baby andcaring for the environment,so we’re proud to be able to

offer them an affordable andsustainable solution, withbaby’s skin care at its core.

“Launching our firstbiodegradable product bringsus ever closer to fulfilling thegoals made in our ‘TiniestFootprint’ Mission. We knowwe still have a long way to go


Toray expands Livmoa rangeTOKYO – Toray Industries is to augment its Livmoa range of single-useprotective clothing with Livmoa 4000 for high pressure and waterresistance and an upgraded version of Livmoa CL sterilized clothingfor cleanrooms. The introductions will first be in Japan, becoming availableoverseas later.Livmoa 4000 is breathable and complies with the JIS Type 5 and 6standards for chemical protective clothing. It employs a proprietarySMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwoven fabric, protectswearers from dust and can also withstand a water pressure of1,000mm H2O, which is hard to achieve with regular SMS fabric. Themeltblown layer keeps dust and water out while delivering an airpermeability of around 10 cc/cm2/sec. Toray is building a stable productsupply system by manufacturing the fabric at its plant in Japan.Livmoa 4000 can be worn where water resistance is necessary, such as waste disposal sites that are essentially limits to Livmoa 2000 and 3000 clothing, which are also breathable. Participants in a testing program rated Livmoa4000 very highly for its exceptional comfort and soft fabric. The product was upgraded based on feedback from usersat public research and academic institutions. Originally launched in 2019 under the supervision of the Foundation forBiomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, its usability has been expanded, with an integrated mask cover, anoptimized hood opening for a better fit with goggles and slimmer sleeves and legs to improve mobility.

Huggies launchesbiodegradable wipesin UK market

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LEEDS - The UK’s NonwovenInnovation & ResearchInstitute (NIRI) has launched anew Surfaceskins infectioncontrol pull handle.

Studies show that up to 80per cent of infections aretransmitted by hands. Whilegel dispensers and handwashing make hands clean,Surfaceskins technology wasdeveloped at NIRI as a way ofproviding touch protectionwhen touching doors andeliminating the transmissionof germs.

In its initial format, it wasavailable as push pads withthe pull handles now addedas an alternate form ofprotection. When touched,the pull handles and pushpads release alcohol gel,

which self-cleans the handlein seconds, ensuring thesurface is clean and ready forthe next user immediately.

Surfaceskins work inconjunction with geldispensers and handwashing, a vital infectioncontrol measure designed tocomplement existing handhygiene practices andprotocols, breaking thetransmission chain.

Each time the Surfaceskinspad is pressed, the surfaceself-disinfects, releasing asmall quantity of antibacterialgel via the micro-valved topsheet and providing a self-sterilizing surface to protectevery door user.

Independent NHSLaboratory in-vitro trials haveproven kill rates of secondsagainst E.Coli, Salmonella,Norovirus, S.Aureus andE.Faecalis, compared to themany hours taken to achievea similar germ-kill level byalternative products. Trialshave also demonstrated thatSurfaceskins improves handhygiene compliance byincreasing hand washing andgel usage.

Surfaceskins are said to beideal for hospitals, SCBU’s,HDU’s, ICU, elderly wards,

3M launchesnew siliconeadhesive forwearablesST PAUL - 3M has launched a newsilicone adhesive that is designedto improve the lives of patientsusing wearable medical devicesneeding longer wear.Acrylate and silicone havedominated the medical adhesive market for years. But the adhesivescurrently available require device engineers to choose between strengthand wear duration, or comfort and pliability. To fill the gap in the market,3M has developed the next generation of silicone adhesives, 3M Hi-TackSilicone Adhesive Tapes. The first of its class is the 2480 3M Single Coated Medical Nonwoven Tapewith Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive on Liner, featuring longer wear times,supporting heavier devices and offering more secure adhesion, whileproviding all the traditional benefits of 3M’s base silicone adhesive portfolio. “Medical devices are essential, and engineers need confidence theiradhesive is strong enough to secure a heavier device for longerduration without causing trauma to the patient’s skin upon removal,”said Marcello Napol, vice president of 3M Medical Device Solutions.“We leveraged 3M’s 55+ years of skin adhesive know-how to push theenvelope of silicone adhesives and create a new product that bridgesthis gap. The 2480 3M Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive is the first of its kindto offer the repositionable, gentle properties of silicone and achieve upto a four-day wear time, supporting heavier, more complex devices.” The new 2480 3M Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive has been designed toprovide increased sheer performance, higher tack, stronger adhesionand longer-wear duration. The adhesive is repositionable, flexible andconformable to work well with various medical devices, includingcontinuous glucose monitoring systems, wearable monitors, sleep andincontinence devices. It is strongly bonded to the backing to minimizeresidue on both skin and production equipment. The 2480 3M Hi-TackSilicone Adhesive is compatible with ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization. The new adhesive is part of a larger portfolio, with additional siliconeadhesives to be introduced in 2021.

Surfaceskins launchnew infection control pull handle

food preparation, washroom,toilet, factory, schools, officesand other high risk trafficareas, across multiple sectors.They are now in use,protecting staff and visitors, infactories, offices, premiershipfootball clubs, F1 racingteams, international airports,laboratories, restaurants,hospitals and schools.

Globally-patented, thetechnology behindSurfaceskins has won a raft

of awards since launchingincluding: MedilinkInnovation in HealthcareAward; Shell LiveWIRE GrandIdeas Award; VenturefestInnovation Showcase Award;Innovation of the Year(Yorkshire Post Excellence inBusiness Awards), and was afinalist at The SpectatorDisruptor of the Year Awards.

It was also a finalist in theIDEA 19, Short-Life ProductAchievement Award.




STOCKHOLM - Hygiene and health company Essity is launching newranges of washableabsorbent underwear within its feminine care and incontinenceproducts categories.

The underwear is said tooffer invisible protection forup to eight hours, providingusers with a moresustainable option thandisposable protection.

The launch includes TENASilhouette WashableAbsorbent Underwear forwomen with light bladderweakness and with a focuson discretion while in itsfeminine care category,Essity has developed a lineof period underwear calledIntimawear under theLibresse, Bodyform andNana brands. The twoproducts have differentgusset lengths and come in

different styles and withdifferent types of lace.

“Essity has always been atthe forefront of sustainableinnovation and been fast inresponding to the changingneeds of consumers,” saidTuomas Yrjölä, president,Global Brand, Innovationand Sustainability at Essity.“Therefore, we are veryexcited about our mostrecent innovation; thelaunch of absorbent andwashable underwear. Theseproducts take wearingcomfort to the next leveland also demonstrate ourcommitment to sustainabilityby providing our consumerswith a sustainable, re-usable solution.”

The launch of the productshas commenced in LatinAmerica and will continue inother markets in selectedstores and online during thefirst quarter of 2021.

Autoneum launches front trunk based on Ultra-SilentWINTERTHUR - Autoneum has developed a front trunk made of Ultra-Silent, its lightweight, noise-reducing and sustainable technology initiallydesigned for vehicle underbodies. With demand for electric cars growing sharply, the need for lightweightcomponents that enable a greater driving range for this category ofvehicles is rising as well. Branded as frunk, this addition to its range ofautomotive components has been designed to meet this demand.“With its innovative frunk for electric vehicles, Autoneum now offers theoptimal solution for more storage space and longer driving pleasure,”the company said. “The multifunctional frunk – short for front trunk –out of Ultra-Silent is particularly light thanks to its textile fibres andreplaces the heavier plastic solutions consisting of several individualcomponents that are common in electric vehicles today.”With its lightweight frunk, Autoneum says that its electric cars save onaverage three kilograms in weight, which results in lower electric energyconsumption and higher driving range.At the same time, the Ultra-Silent-based frunk also improves vehicleacoustics. “Contrary to popular belief, noise-reducing components areessential for electric models, too,” the company said. “Because there isno engine noise, external and internal sound sources such as the e-motor and compressors as well as tire noise are more audible. Thanks totheir sound-absorbing textile material composition, the Ultra-Silentcomponents reduce annoying noises at the source.” Additionally, synergies with other acoustic components have a positiveimpact on the vehicle’s overall acoustic comfort. The frunk made ofUltra-Silent is highly sustainable as well; it is made entirely of PET andcontains up to 70% of recycled material.The Frunk is currently in pre-development for a model of a new electricvehicle manufacturer and available in Europe, North America and China.

Essity launches washableabsorbent underwear


MATERIAL MATTERS


Nanosensors detect infectionsin smart bandageKINGSTON – Researchers at University of Rhode Island (URI) havedeveloped a smart bandage that can detect and monitor an infection ina wound via the integration of single-walled carbon nanotubes.The carbon nanotubes are able to identify an infection in the wound bydetecting concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and until now, thechallenge with using nanotubes for this purpose was in immobilisingthem in a biocompatible manner to stay sensitive to their surroundings. “The microfibres that encapsulate the carbon nanotubes accomplishthis,” said assistant professor Daniel Roxbury. “The nanotubes do notleach from the material, yet they stay sensitive to hydrogen peroxidewithin the wounds.”The smart bandage is monitored by a miniaturised wearable device,which wirelessly (optically) detects the signal from the carbonnanotubes. The signal can then be transmitted to a smartphone orsimilar device to automatically alert the patient or a health care provider.“This device will solely be used for diagnostic purposes,” said Roxbury.“However, the hope is that the device will diagnose an infection at anearly stage, necessitating fewer antibiotics and preventing drasticmeasures, such as limb amputation. We envisage it being particularlyuseful for those with diabetes, where the management of chronicwounds is routine.”Roxbury’s NanoBio Engineering Laboratory used several advancedtechnologies to make the bandage a reality.A microfabrication process to precisely place nanosensors inside theindividual fibres of the fabric was designed and optimised, advancedmicroscopes were employed to study the structure of the materials and anear-infrared spectrometer – home-built by former URI graduate studentMohammad Moein Safaee, now at the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT) – was used to optimise the optical features of the fabric.“The cells we’ll be using are known as fibroblasts and macrophages(white blood cells) that produce hydrogen peroxide in the presence ofpathogenic bacteria,” said Roxbury. “If all goes well, we’ll move to ‘invivo’ testing in mice. At that point, we would find a collaborator whospecialises in these animal wound models.“Testing has focused on small samples, but there really is no limitationin terms of the size. In fact, this technology will be most useful in largebandages which can be more of a nuisance to remove and reapply.Ours won’t need to be removed to enable detection.”

NEW YORK – First QualityProducts, Inc. has introducedIncognito by Prevail, a line of3-in-1 feminine pads withmulti-fluid technology toprovide protection anddiscretion. The company is alsooffering an experienced eNurseteam, for women who requireadvice over bladder issues.

As the company notes, it’scommon for women in their30s and 40s to start experi-encing bladder leaks, withpregnancy and childbirthtriggering the condition. Atthe same time, they needprotection for menstrual careand daily freshness.

They also need support.Research shows it takeswomen up to six years to getcomfortable discussing bladderchanges with their doctors.

“Women’s bodies gothrough various changesbetween pregnancy andmenopause,” said First QualityGlobal Clinical DirectorMichele Mongillo, RN, BSN,MSN, RAC-CT. “The bladdermay be affected with thesechanges, and women may besurprised to experienceincreased urinary leakage. OureNurse team is an experiencedand confidential resource tohelp women navigate thistime of change.”

Incognito 3-in-1 padsprotect against bladder leaks,menstrual leaks and dailydischarge. They feature asuperabsorbent core thatlocks in more wetness than astandard feminine hygienepad while neutralizing odors.All Incognito products are100% breathable, hypoal-lergenic and free from dyesand harsh ingredients.

The product line is made

First Quality introduces3-in-1 feminine pads

up of five items: Liner fordaily wear, three Ultra-ThinPads for more active days,and the Maternity Pad, whichin addition for useimmediately after childbirthcan also address extra-heavyovernight needs.

“Our goal was to combinethe best core innovation toprovide multi-fluid protection,while maximizing discretionthrough ultimate odourprotection and comfort,” saidStephanie Bodle, Prevailbrand manager. “Deliveringall this along with 24/7clinical support meanswomen now have the carethey need to feel confidentand prepared.”



MATERIAL MATTERS

LATHAM – PrimaLoft integratesaerogels into insulation fabricswithin its Cross Core series ofproducts and for Autumn 2021 they will contain up to90% post-consumer recycled(PCR) content.

Silica aerogels are highlyporous, lightweight structuresoriginally developed by NASAscientists and one of theworld’s best insulators. They

are composed of more than95% air and are the lightestsolid materials known to man.PrimaLoft engineers havefound a way to integrate theminto fibres to produce apparelinsulation that withstands theextreme challenges of outdoorgarments. This provides bothenhanced warmth anddecreased weight, whileallowing the freedom to

design both highly technicalapparel and fashionable pieceswith a variety of silhouettes.

“When we first beganexperimenting with the idea ofusing aerogel in insulationfibres, our focus was ongetting the formula right sothat we were delivering a newlevel of thermal performance,”said Vanessa Mason, seniorvice-president of engineering,insulation and polymers.“Once we became the first tocrack that code, we knew weneeded to continue toinnovate on the sustainabilityside and find a way to use asmuch recycled content aspossible, while maintainingthat performance. We’reexcited with our progress andwill continue to explore howwe can introduce additionalsustainable practices to this technology.”

Products in the PrimaLoftCross Core series have so farbeen adopted by more than50 brands.

Cintaslaunchesdisinfectingand personalhand wipesCINCINNATI - Hygienecompany Cintas Corporationis now offering disposabledisinfecting wipes that can kill99.9% of germs on washablehard, non-porous surfaces andalcohol-free disposable handsanitizing wipes.

Both are suitable for use ineducational, retail, fitness andfoodservice facilities.

“Our easy-to-use DisinfectingWipes give customers andemployees peace of mind thatdisinfecting options are readilyavailable for use at any time,”said Markus Kuykendoll,marketing manager, Cintas.“Placing Disinfecting Wipesand Sanitizing Wipesthroughout a facility sends amessage that the facility caresabout cleanliness and thehealth and wellness of itspatrons and employees.”

When used according tothe manufacturer’sinstructions, the DisinfectingWipes clean and disinfect inone step, making itconvenient for facilities withhigh foot traffic and single-use areas. The wipes aresuitable for use ondoorknobs, desks, tables andother hard, non-poroussurfaces throughout a facility.

Sanitizing Wipes fast-actingalcohol-free formula are saidto make it easy andconvenient to use. Wipes maybe placed in common areaswith high-touch points, suchas doors, elevators, shoppingcarts, escalators, and more, soemployees and customers cansanitize their hands easilybefore and after contact.

Paper-based packaging for Drylock diapersVIENNA – Mondi has launched the paper-based EcoWicketBag for thebaby diaper ranges of Drylock Technologies, to bring new sustainablepackaging to the hygiene market globally.The global hygiene products manufacturer approached Mondi tocreate a more sustainable alternative to its existing plastic diaperpackaging that would travel well, have strong shelf-appeal, andprotect the product, while also using renewable resources and significantly reducing its CO2 footprint.“We went to Mondi because of their expertise in paper packaging and their extensive knowledge of the globalhygiene market,” said Werner Van Ingelgem, R&D director at Drylock. “Consumers are looking for moresustainable packaging that is kinder to the planet without compromising on the integrity of the product. Withthe EcoWicketBag, they can be confident of product quality and packaging sustainability.” Keys advantage of using paper-based solutions is the recyclability of paper and also that consumers are more likelyto know how to dispose of it correctly. The EcoWicketBag can be placed in existing paper streams, even in countrieswith the strictest recycling regulations. An EcoWicketBag made out of fully compostable materials is also available.Mondi also ensured the EcoWicketBag fits with Drylock Technologies’ existing plant processes, meaning it is thefirst paper wicket bag range that can be filled and sealed on existing machines.“We work closely with our clients using our customer-centric EcoSolutions approach to create packaging that isfit for purpose – using paper where possible and plastic when useful,” said said Claudio Fedalto, COO of thePaper Bags business of Mondi. “With Drylock Technologies it was key to reduce the amount of plastic used,meet our customer’s sustainability targets and protect the products for consumers. By liaising closely and askingthe right questions from the outset, we have been able to deliver on all of the above.”

PrimaLoft achieves 90% PCR with aerogel insulation


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INDA, the Associationof the NonwovenFabrics Industrywarmly remembers IanButler, INDA’s formerDirector of MarketResearch & Statistics, a distinguishedauthority of the nonwovens industry, andmourns his passing on December 3rd, atthe age of 78 in Toronto, Canada.

Butler was recruited by INDA in 1997and created the role of Director ofMarket Research & Statistics. For overthree decades he served the nonwovensindustry by providing valuable marketand business intelligence reports onNorth America, China, and worldwide,as well as providing numeroushandbooks on various technologies.

Under his direction, INDA’s market andbusiness intelligence became renowned foraccuracy, reliability and insightful analysis.Butler was also a frequent speaker at INDAand industry events providing his expertinsights on various market sectors’ growthin the nonwovens industry.

Butler’s vast nonwovens experienceincluded leadership positions in StearnsCanada, Airform Fabrics, VeratecCanada Inc., International Paper, and hisown company, International NonwovensConsulting, Inc. before subsequentlyjoining INDA.

“INDA is saddened by the loss of anindustry leader who was an integral partof INDA’s growth,” said INDA PresidentDave Rousse. “He was a strongnonwovens advocate who tirelesslyprovided crucial market research ourmembers needed in making key decisionsto advance their business and products.”

Butler received his Bachelor’s degreefrom Concordia University in 1966 and aBachelor’s in Business Administration fromthe University of Toronto in 1972. He issurvived by his wife, Kathryn, his brother,his children, and his grandchildren.

At March’s Annual General Meeting onMarch 25, 2021, the Board of Directorsof Autoneum Holding will propose LianeHirner and Oliver Streuli for election asnew members of the Board of Directors.Peter Spuhler will not stand for re-election. Liane Hirner has been CFO andmember of the Management Board of

Vienna Insurance Group, based inVienna, Austria, since 2018. Previously,she worked for PwC Vienna for 25 yearsin various positions, including Partnerand Managing Director. Oliver Streuli, aSwiss national, has been CEO of PCSHolding, based in Frauenfeld (CantonThurgau), Switzerland, since 2019.

Domtar Corporation has announcedthat John D. Williams, president andchief executive officer, has contractedCovid-19 and is taking a temporarymedical leave of absence.

The company’s Board of Directors has appointed Daniel Buron, senior vice-president and chief financial officer,to assume Mr. Williams’s authority andresponsibility until he returns from hisleave of absence. Mr. Buron willcontinue in his role as Senior VicePresident and CFO.

Jones Family of Companies, amanufacturer of sustainable nonwovensfabrics, has announced the promotion ofDennis St. Louis to vice president ofsales, Bedding and Furniture channel,and the hiring of Anthony Lado ashuman resources director/HR Leader -Talent Acquisition.

The Board ofDirectors of Ontexhas appointedEsther BerrozpeGalindo as newchief executiveofficer, with effect from Jan. 1, 2021.Berrozpe succeeds Mr. Thierry Navarre,who has been acting as interim CEOsince July 30, 2020.

During her long career at Whirlpool,Berrozpe led different business units inNorth America, Europe, the Middle Eastand Africa, driving business turnaround,improving Whirlpool’s competitivenessand strengthening its leadership positionin these regions.

“The Board of Directors unanimouslyapproved the selection of EstherBerrozpe as CEO of Ontex. Her strongblend of skills and experiences combinedwith a profound understanding of Ontexuniquely qualifies her to lead Ontexthrough its ongoing transformation and

to drive the implementation of itsstrategic initiatives,” said Hans VanBylen, chairman of the Ontex board.“We would also like to thank ThierryNavarre for having led Ontex as interimCEO during such a challenging time andfor his great dedication and contributionthroughout his 15 years at Ontex.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Navarrewill remain at Ontex until March 31, 2021.

Lynda Kelly has been appointed seniorvice president for Suominen’s Americasbusiness area as of January 1, 2021.Kelly has a long experience in differentmanagement positions at Suominen.She will continue to report to presidentand CEO Petri Helsky as executive team member.

“I am happy that we were able toappoint an excellent internal candidateto this position utilizing her experienceand versatile expertise in nonwovensbusiness. Lynda is energetic and efficientand she knows the company very well, asshe has worked for Suominen since2014,” Helsky said.

The Center for Baby and Adult HygieneProducts (BAHP) has announced its 2021board of directors, led by newly electedchair Sarah Faye Pierce of Kimberly-Clark.

“I am excited to lead BAHP in 2021and look forward to growing the organi-zation’s membership and elevating thevoice of the industry by purposefullyexecuting an integrated communicationsand public policy strategy,” says Pierce.During BAHP’s Annual Meeting, heldvirtually in November, the membership alsoelected its slate of officers and directors.

Officers serving BAHP in 2021 are: • Chair: Sarah Faye Pierce,

Kimberly-Clark• Vice-Chair: Sharn Sandor, Thinx• Treasurer: Pankaj Nigam,

Edgewell Personal CareDirectors are:• Tom Carlyle, Lenzing• Megan Ekstrom, Procter & Gamble• Jonathan Layer, Fibertex• Bart Watershoot, OntexPierce will take the helm in providingstrategic guidance and valuecreation in alignment with theorganization’s mission.

People

Ian Butler.

Esther Berrozpe.

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TRADE SHOWS AND CONFERENCES

Although every care is taken over the compilation of this diary to ensure accuracy of the dates, these can sometimes be changed due to local circumstances. It is therefore advisable to check with the appropriate organisers before travel arrangements are made.

February 202126 February - 19 MarchEDANA Online Intermediate Course WebinarWeb: www.edana.org/trainings/trainings-calendar

March 20219-12Virtual Intermediate NonwovensTraining CourseMar 9 - Mar 12, 2021Web: https://www.inda.org

10-11EDANA Advanced Courses CardingCETI, FranceWeb: www.edana.org/trainings/trainings-calendar

17-18EDANA Advanced CoursesMeltblown/SpunbondCETI, FranceWeb: www.edana.org/trainings/trainings-calendar

April 2021OUTLOOK 2021The world’s premier nonwovens personal care and hygiene & wipes products conferenceLisbonWeb: https://www.edana.org/events/outlook/outlook-europe

May 20214-7TechtextilFrankfurtGermanyWeb: https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en.html

June 20219-10International Nonwovens SymposiumLyon - Marriott HotelFranceWeb: https://www.edana.org/events/nonwovens-symposium/international-nonwovens-symposium

12-16ITMA Asia + CITME 2020National Exhibitionand Convention Center,ShanghaiChinaWeb: http://www.itmaasia.com

22-26ITM & Hightex 2021IstanbulTurkeyWeb: https://www.itmexhibition.com/itm2021/

July 202112-15World of Wipes 2021International ConferenceAtlanta Marriott MarquisAtlanta, GAUSAWeb: https://www.inda.org/events/calendar.php

19-20Filtrex AsiaShanghai, ChinaWeb: https://www.edana.org/events/filtrex/filtrex-asia

22-24ANEX-SINCE 2021Shanghai World EXPO Exhibition &Convention CenterChinaWeb: https://www.asianonwovens.org/news_detail_18.html

August 202123-25Techtextil North AmericaRaleighNorth CarolinaUSAwww.techtextilna.com

September 20217-10INDEX20INDEX is the world’s leading nonwovensexhibition, and a global showcase for thenonwovens and related industries.GenevaSwitzerlandWeb: https://www.edana.org/events/index

30Circular Nonwovens ForumThis new annual forum creates aplatform for an in-depth engagementwith stakeholders on challenges andopportunities in the pursuit of a circulareconomy for nonwovens.Location: TBCWeb: https://www.edana.org/events/circular-nonwovens-forum


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August 23-25, 2021

International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens

RALEIGH, NC

AcceleratingTechnology

Start planning today to attend the only North American trade show that assembles all vertical aspects of the technical textile industry, from research and development, through raw materials and production processes and finally ending in conversion, further treatment and recycling. Join us on the show floor for three days of education, networking and business development where the world’s leading companies in textile innovation will share their latest products, processes and solutions, highlighting the industry’s contribution to the global manufacturing supply chain through advanced technology.

Visit www.techtextilNA.com for more information.

Documents

SUSTAINABLE NONWOVENSAndritz Nonwoven added: “By adding Laroche’s state-of-the-art products and expertise to our existing capabilities, Andritz Nonwoven will further strengthen