06.08.11
INDEX 2011
A look at what exhibitors showcased at INDEX 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland.
For another edition, INDEX 11 closed its doors with record-breaking results, confirming its title as“The world’s leading nonwovens exhibition,” with a diversity of products and services on offer, from all sectors of the market—from machinery and raw materials to converted products.
More than 12,600 visitors made their way through the doors of the Geneva Palexpo exhibition center, intent to see the 530 exhibitors from 43 countries in over 21,600 square meters of stand space across 50,000 square meters of exhibition halls.
Visitors attending the show, which ran from April 12-15, 2011 were able to engage with a larger portion of the industry than ever before, as well as take advantage of the special events organized during the exhibition.Special events focused on innovation, nonwovens in packaging and product presentations, as well as introductory lunchtime tutorials to provide an overview of the world-famous EDANA training courses.
“For an industry which has just started to show signs of recovery—now finally rising to levels above those recorded before the global financial crisis, we can be incredibly proud.This challenging commercial context spurred the nonwovens industry, already renowned for its creativity and development, to be even more innovative, and companies are investing in sustainable activities which not only bring a positive effect to the world we live in but also secure the industry for the future,” said Pierre Wiertz, general manager of EDANA, the sponsor of INDEX.
A. Celli Nonwovens
At INDEX, A.Celli Nonwovens presented a new printing machine. Alessandro Celli, CEO told Nonwovens Industry, “We are printing with UV technology. This is the first time UV technology is employed with nonwovens. The machine is very flexible. It can print UV with UV technology or water-based or solvent-based inks. The most important thing is that this is the first time that this technology is being used. It gives a very high quality product. It gives very high quality printing. It is easier for maintenance. You can print on nonwovens, plastic film or tissue paper.”
AccuSentry
At INDEX, AccuSentry promoted its SingleCull Package that can reduce waste for absorbent hygiene manufacturers via Adaptive Phasing Technology that is available on the newest version of AccuSentry’s Sentry 9000 inspection systems. The patent pending technology effectively synchronizes reject signals from multiple inspection points and accurately pinpoints the delay timing to reject only the defective product as detected by the system. According to AccuSentry executives, the technology can decrease material scrapping from process defects in diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene production by 66-80%. Currently three to five products are scrapped per incident as operators have trouble accurately synchronizing the delay timing of the reject gate at full production speeds.
The SingleCull technology builds on AccuSentry’s deep commitment to the nonwoven and absorbent hygiene industries. It complements AccuSentry’s Centerlining technique, first introduced at Insight in 2010, which delivers operators vital realtime data on a screen of control graphs measuring product attributes like position, length, width and other parameters during full speed production. When the product is being produced within a specified target range, the graphs are white; when the product begins to drift out of range they turn yellow and when things are bad, they are red so the operator needs to take only one look at the screen to see there is a problem.
Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a high performance materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. At INDEX, the company highlighted its products, which are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, wall coverings, wipes, flooring, labels and food packaging. Ahlstrom has a leading market position in the businesses in which it operates.Ahlstrom’s Building and Energy Business Area serves customers mainly in the building (flooring, roofing, wallcovering and various other building applications), transportation, marine, windmill and fabric care industries.In filtration, Ahlstrom has two business units: Transportation Filtration and Advanced Filtration.
Ahlstrom’s Food and Medical Business Area serves customers in the infusion, food packaging, tape and specialty, medical and healthcare markets.And, in the Home and Personal Business Area manufactures the widest range of wipe materials available on the market. Applications are numerous and diverse but can be grouped into four main wipes market segments
Andritz Nonwoven
At INDEX, Andritz Nonwoven announced it concluded a contract with BG Filter in China for a spunjet machine, 6.6 meters wide. The new Spunjet line sold to Shanghai BG Filter will have a total capacity of 19,000 tons per year. The line will be hydroentangled PP and PET continuous mono filaments, from an in-line spunbond tower.
This line is dedicated to filtration and geotextile markets and will be delivered on December 2011 for a start-up during the first quarter of 2012.
This line is the widest hydroentanglement line ever delivered, while the former widest lines were in the range of five meters wide.
Asahi Kasei Corporation
At INDEX Asahi Kasei Corporation highlighted dECOb environmentally-friendly bag filters, engineered to offer electricity savings of up to 20%. The filter material was developed with Asamasu. The material is Asahi’s Smash polyester spunbond nonwoven with a fine concave/convex surface pattern. The pattern is designed to increase the dust collection volume and reduce pressure drop, resulting in energy savings compared to conventional filter bags.
Smash polyester spunbond has the formability of a thermoplastic and can be easily heat-press moulded. Asahi Kasei also introduced Bemliese, a cellulosic continuous filament nonwovens with ultra low lint generation, superior liquid absorbency, thermal stability, pick-up, purity and biodegradability. Applications for Bemliese include cleanrooms, agricultural and horticultural mats and covers, filters for teabags and other food products cosmetic pads and cloths for hospitals and clinics.
Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison showcased its portfolio of medical and personal care products that meet the needs of manufacturers and end-users worldwide. The company exhibited nonwoven solutions for baby diapers and adult incontinence and feminine hygiene items, as well as surgical, wound care and ostomy applications.
Avery Dennison supports diaper manufacturers with a comprehensive diaper closure portfolio that satisfies the needs of baby diapers and adult incontinence products in both emerging and mature markets, and for high and economic-product tiers.
Several new Avery Dennison nonwoven diaper closure innovations that were displayed at INDEX11 were designed and developed based on input from mothers and fathers.
Avery Dennison highlighted its technology platforms for medical devices that meet manufacturer and end-user requirements for reliability, innovation and quality. Products on display included surgical drape tapes that fill a wide range of skin adhesion needs that are available as bordering tapes, fenestration tapes and OP strips. The tapes can be produced with proprietary adhesives such as Wet stick, which adheres securely to skin even when the drape becomes wet during surgery.
Also on display were surgical Incise Films that provide breathability required for virtually any procedure, even in difficult to drape areas. Efficient application systems, such as handling bars and adhesive-free areas, make the films easy to position and apply. The films offer superior adhesion in difficult and moist conditions throughout the procedure.
The company also showed Ultra-Thin Hydrocolloids that offer benefits for wound care applications, including increased comfort and flexibility, longer wear time, gentle removal and reduced skin softening and irritation.
Barnhardt Manufacturing
At INDEX, Barnhardt Natural Fibers Group, Charlotte, NC, and Japan’s Marusan Industry announced the formation of a joint collaboration for a broad range of business activities including technical and process improvements, global raw material procurement and marketing of products from their bleached cotton divisions. This collaboration is being formed to further the development of cotton products globally. Both companies bring a long history and passion for cotton.
BASF
BASF presented new products and customer-orientated applications at INDEX 2011.BASF experts informed and advised business professionals about BASF’s comprehensive service and product range in the field of fiber bonding, additives and superabsorbents. BASF addressed customers from the hygiene and nonwoven industry and all companies that require environmentally friendly binding agents and liquid-absorbing polymers for their products.
Binding agents for fibrous materials in the form of dispersions and reactive resins have become part of our daily life. They hold together a large number of products that simplify our everyday life in many ways.
When used in nonwovens, they make roofing membranes tear-proof and ensure that PVC floors keep their shape. Thanks to such dispersions, waterproof cellulose substrates can be turned into highly efficient decorative paper, filters or nonwoven wallpaper. Natural fibers are used to produce light-weight construction material or floor coverings.
At this year’s INDEX, one focus in the field of dispersions for fiber bonding was on the ecologically compatible reactive resins of the Acrodur brand. As a water-based, formaldehyde-free system,
Acrodur offers an environmentally friendly alternative to solvent based or formaldehyde-containing resins and consequently guarantees safe and simple handling. It is, for example, used as a bonding agent for nonwovens made of polyester and glass fibers in construction applications such as PVC floors and insulating mats.
Another focus is on Acronal-branded acrylate dispersions. Apart from conventional applications for polyester and glass nonwoven fabrics, the bonding agents are also suitable for cellulosic substrates.
Birla Cellulose
Birla Cellulose, a world leader in cellulosic fibers, participated in a large way in the recently concluded INDEX 2011, presenting its innovative range of Eco Life fibers—fibers made from pure nature, that enrich a wide range of nonwoven fibers. These 100% natural based fibers, made from the choicest of wood pulp, add the Nature’s Magic Touch to nonwovens, making them softer, greener, gentler and more skin friendly. Birla Purocel, the specialized nonwoven viscose fiber offering of Birla Cellulose, is manufactured with a unique ICU concept manufacturing that ensures highest levels of purity, hygiene and safety.These unique properties make the fiber an excellent ingredient for close-to-skin personal care applications like skincare wipes, baby wipes, feminine hygiene, medical masks and caps.
A next generation advanced cellulosic fiber, called Birla Excel, was another unique offering of Birla Cellulose that combines the features of viscose and adds on strength to them, making it suitable for industrial applications as well.This fiber sets new standards in eco-friendliness with a closed loop manufacturing process that minimizes byproducts. Birla Spunshades, the colored, dope-dyed viscose fiber offering came as a new innovation in colored fibers, that are dyed at the fiber stage itself, reducing dyeing costs down the value chain. The fiber has 14 shades that find intense use in the nonwovens sector.
Bostik
Bostik showcased Relyance, the olefin-based adhesive platform that was launched in 2009 and recognized as an outstanding new product by the IDEA10 Achievement Awards in 2010. Relyance provides outstanding performance when compared to a traditional SBC-based adhesive and is unmatched by any other olefin product on the market. Relyance was uniquely designed to reduce supply and price volatility while maintaining robust performance and exceptional processability. Customers are finding that converting to Relyance is seamless as it performs well on traditional equipment. “The development of the Relyance platform is one more example of Bostik’s commitment to solutions that combine technological performance, ease of use and sustainable innovation,” said Courtney Korselt, communications and insight manager, Nonwovens/Tape and Label Business Unit. “It is just the latest in Bostik’s long line of industry-leading innovations that include Securance and ZeroCreep.”
Cotton Incorporated
Cotton, the world’s most plentiful, natural fiber, is soft, absorbent, hypoallergenic and annually renewable. Consumers know and love cotton; 90% believe it’s the safest fiber for the environment. In its virgin state, cotton is hydrophobic; after scouring, hydrophilic. At the end of its life, cotton biodegrades. At INDEX 11, Cotton Incorporated shared test results showing that cotton biodegrades under composting, anaerobic, and aerobic conditions with a better than 90% mass loss in only four weeks. Cotton Incorporated also featured a new swatch card containing samples and ideas for using virgin, cleaned and bleached cotton fiber. Lastly, new, commercially available cotton nonwoven products were highlighted.
ES Fibervisions
ES Fibervisions unveiled PTC Bounce fiber. The fiber is created to provide improved resilience, bulk and softness properties. Developed for customers who use ultrasonic welding to bond nonwovens the bico PTC polypropylene fiber has a polyester core.
The PET core provides PTC Bounce-based nonwovens enhanced bulk and resilience. The PP sheath gives superior bonding capabilities to the fiber.
The fibers are available in 2.2-6.7 dtex and many aspects can be customized including the liquid acquisition properties using ES Fibervisions’ finishing technology.
Fameccanica
At INDEX, Fameccanica showcased several new ideas and technologies in its machinery and process.Fameccanica’s equipment reaches the highest production speeds and outstanding process performances due to the new features.The company introduced the new high speed range of machines, including a new baby diaper line and an adult incontinence line, both designed to prioritize efficiency and waste levels aimed at the lowest unitary finished product cost, simplify the retrofitting of future upgrade kits with short delivery time and reduced installation efforts.
The baby diapers machine model FA-X P10, features a production speed of 1000 pieces/minute or linear speed of 450 meters/minute, along with high efficiency and low scraps levels. The adult incontinence machine model FIX P5, features a production speed of 500 pieces/minute or 400 meters/minute, whichever comes first, and can manufacture multi-piece products with either shaped or rectangular side-panels.
Fameccanica also introduced the new “U”- Forming System” design, capable of producing ultra-thin pads with high SAP content; thanks to the most accurate pressing technology installed, the pad also maintains very high integrity and a very low weight variation.
In the machinery theme, Fameccanica also included the new Paksis N-12 packaging unit for lady sanitary napkins, panty-liners and light-inco pads, flat or tri-folded, thin or thick. It can also accommodate an incoming pace from 1000 to 1600 products per minute and deliver from 90 to 120 bags per minute.
Fatra
Fatra’s hygiene division manufactures breathable films and laminates. At INDEX, the company emphasized its Sontek F PE films and Sontek L breathable laminates. These materials are created to be used as a backsheet in the manufacturing of disposable sanitary products such as baby diapers and sanitary towels.
The materials can be embossed and printed in up to eight colors. Breathability can be adjusted to meet customer’s specifications. Fatra, which is located in Central Europe also demonstrated its extra soft breathable and bicomponent breathable laminates.
Fibervisions
Fibervisions unveiled a new unique line of fine fibers at INDEX 2011 which will help nonwovens producers continue their evolution toward high-performance lightweight and soft nonwovens. FiberVisions has developed cost effective polypropylene (PP) fine fibers in response to the continuing need to make carded nonwoven fabrics more cost effective. Finer fibers allow the nonwoven fabric manufacturers to produce lightweight fabrics maintaining fabric strength and fabric coverage while improving fabric uniformity and softness. Developed for drylaid, wetlaid and airlaid fiber formation, the new range of fine dtex polypropylene (PP) staple fibers offers unmatched softness and coverage, high nonwoven tensile strength and low density (ca. 0.9 g/cm³) for uniform, thinner and lighter nonwoven fabrics. They also provide higher efficiency for filtration products. This creates new opportunities for customers to source fibers from as low as 1.0 dtex to 1.7 dtex for their nonwovens applications.
Ginni Nonwovens
Ginni Nonwovens rolled out a new spunlace that has improved performance and that is made from 1.2 den and 0.9 den polyester fibers. Ginni touted that it operates India’s first modern spunlace nonwoven plant and that it is running at 100% capacity of 10,000 metric tons annually.
The company has its own power plant and generates electricity from compressed natural gas.The plant also has its own microbiology lab for raw materials and manufactured products’ testing.
GKD
At INDEX, GKD highlighted process belt solutions, which are engineered to meet the increasing demands of nonwovens production. GKD’s solutions are custom made to overcome and mesh designs of stainless steel, steel and bronze or composite meshes of metal and plastic.
Debondo, a non-stick coated process belt for impregnation processes is temperature resistant up to 250°C. Its silicon coating prevents the build-up of disruptive deposits and it makes cleaning easier.
The new plastic spiral belts made from PPS or PEEK offer particular flexibility in thermal bonding processes and can be seamlessly joined and designed to be magnetic or electrostatic-conducive.
GDM
GDM’s new START technological platform is being offered to all producers who wish to consolidate and increase their production volumes through selling high service competitive products at low production costs. For baby products, this includes machines designed to produce traditional or winged products at speeds of 500 ppm while for the adult incontinence segment, there is a line for hospital pads or adult diapers at speeds of 200 ppm. Meanwhile in incontinence, the X3M AT machine at 450 m/min is able to make multi-piece diapers for adults with rigid and elastic panels.
Also at INDEX, GDM presented its single culling process systems solution, which will enable waste reduction when changing raw materials of only one product and its new DISCovery platform based on an innovative rotating process which joins some distinctive elements of this new platform concept. The first machine based on this new platform will be made for the lady sector. It enables production capacities of up to 1500 ppm in fluff or airlaid configurations to make feminine products, panty liners and products for light incontinence.
Hangzhou Creator Machinery Manufacture Co. Ltd.
Hangzhou Creator Machinery Manufacture manufactures machines for adult diaper, baby diaper, sanitary napkin, under pad, pull up. The company works with a famous Italian company and uses Italian technology to build up the most sophisticated machines for customers worldwide. Hangzhou Creator Machinery helps customers in the layout of workshop as well as designing the finished products. The company serves customers from Asia, South Africa, Middle East, Europe and South America. Our customersmainly work for P&G, K-C and SCA.
Hills Inc.
At INDEX, Hills, Inc., a world leader in multi-component fiber extrusion technology presented its latest innovations in fiber extrusion technology resulting from unique polymer distribution and control for such varied process and products as spunbond, meltblown, and staple fibers.Hills showed a number of samples that have been produced on Hills lines including: High Island Count Islands-In-The-Sea Fibers, Nano MB 7000 Meters Per Minute Spinning Speed Spunbond, Hepa Filters, Halar Samples, Logo Fibers, winged fibers – 64 Segment Pie courtesy of Allasso Industries, and leather substrates.
Isra Vision
Isra Vision touted its portfolio for optical in-line inspection at INDEX. Its portfolio includes intelligent tools for process optimization and a range of innovations for zero-defect production along the whole processing chain.
ITW Dynatec
On display at INDEX was ITW Dynatec’s hot melt and cold glue industrial adhesive applicators. The company highlighted its Vector Metering system, UFD Fiberized Spray Technology and DeltaFx Fiberized Spray system.
The Vector System accommodates slot, spray and strand coating applications. Its metering station is intended to offer cost savings and increased efficiency.
ITW Dynatec also showcased its DeltaFx system, an adhesive applicator with the capability of coating up to 12 inches wide with a single nozzle.
KNH Enterprises
KNH Enterprises presented a host of capabilities to attendees including nonwoven: air through, airlaid, calender bond, composite airlaid, meltblown, circular needlepunch and spunlace. The company also highlighted personal and environmental care. In the latter category, the company emphasized filter media, face mask and wastewater treatment. Kirk Hwang president said, "We are nonwovens roll good suppliers. We are a vertically integrated company in terms of technology. We serve diapers and sanitary napkins clients. We have an in-house capability for personal care as well."
Kraton Polymers
At INDEX 2011, Kraton Polymers showcased its latest innovations in adhesives, elastic nonwovens and NEXAR polymers for performance fabrics.
Kraton scientists and executives discussed the features, benefits and applications of Kraton's latest innovations in the following end uses: Elastic Nonwovens for Single-Use Disposables and Durable Fabrics: Kraton Polymers' new polymer technology offers superior softness, bi-axial stretch and solid durability breaking through the process barriers of conventional styrenic block copolymers. The competitive advantage lies in the design and optimization of the copolymer while still being suitable for high speed processing. These elastic nonwovens are proven to be drapeable and non-tacky enabling the creation of products that are soft, quiet and discreet. Kraton polymers impart the stretch and flexibility required in personal care products and offer improved comfort in items such as scrub suit apparel, medical gown laminates and wound care dressings. These polymers paired with polyester and nylon make interesting fabrics for uniforms, outdoor apparel and furnishings.
NEXAR Polymers (Performance Fabrics): NEXAR polymers' selectively permeable membranes and coatings provide a unique solution that addresses the needs of textile innovators for high performance and breathable fabrics. They can be used in sports apparel, outdoor apparel and gear, military and industrial uniforms, as well as medical and geotextile applications. NEXAR polymers are lightweight and flexible, offer selective permeability in a nonporous membrane, deliver an excellent moisture transmission rate, do not require special equipment or processes, provide high strength in wet and dry environments and are chemical and chlorine resistant.
Lenzing
At INDEX, Lenzing’s fibers were highlighted. Made from the renewable resource wood, Lenzing’s fibers offer customers a way to balance the convenience of wipes and other disposable items with environmental consciousness.Wolfgang Plasser, vice president Business Unit Nonwovens, said: “Our aim is to optimize the synergy between functionality and environmental sustainability. This allows consumers to use convenience products with a clear conscience.”
Lenzing fibers are naturally absorbent and pure, like the cellulose from which they are derived. Tencel meets the highest demands: The New Age fiber combines enhanced performance with gentleness to the skin. Lenzing Viscose and Tencel are ideally suited for sensitive applications such as wipes, hygiene or medical products. Beyond this, they are tailored to provide optimized performance in technical applications. After use, Lenzing fibers can biodegrade fully.
The global trend in sustainability clearly supports Lenzing’s intention to grow both in traditional and emerging markets. Driven by the increasing awareness of consumers, the industry places more and more emphasis on environmentally responsible raw materials such as Lenzing Viscose and Tencel.
Mogul
At INDEX, Mogul showcased its polypropylene, PET, spunbond, meltblown, SMS, spunlace and peva film. “We have a wide range of spill control products. We have wide width crop covers up to 16 meters. We have PE/PP extrusion coated fabrics and aluminum coated fabrics. We have also developed some new grades with stitchbond reinforce of our spunbond and spunlace fabrics,” said Serkan Gogus, commercial director.
Nanliu Enterprises
At INDEX Chinese nonwovens producer Nanliu Enterprise Co. Ltd. unveiled Silk Soft Natural, a bio-degradable low-lint spunlace entirely made of PLA and wood pulp materials, which decompose naturally.
Paul Cheng, general manager said, “Silk Soft Natural is based on corn and wood pulp. It is ideal for surgical gowns and drapes and industrial low-lint wipes. Our repellent fabrics are for gowns and drapes and our absorbent is for industrial wipes.”
To prove this product’s ability to biodegrade, at INDEX the company had photos of the material three and six months after disposal. By six months, the material was nearly completely biodegraded.
Norafin
Norafin presented its nonwoven fabric for window shades.The fabric offers up to 98% reflection of infrared light. Norafin has been working on spunlacing of flax fibers with its partners Van Robaeys Freres and TDA.
Spunlaced flax is the basis of the new shading material which can contribute to a reduction in air conditioning due to the material’s ability to block infrared light up to 98% and ultraviolet up to 99%, without raising the lighting consumption. Sound absorption benefits are also accrued when using shades created from the new material.
Norafin also highlighted Komanda for durable protective apparel markets. Based on a combination of custom-engineered composite spunlaced materials and advanced chemical treatments, Komanda is suitable for arc-flash protective clothingindustrial flame retardant workwear and military uniforms. Norafin also touted its filter media for air and liquid filtration.
Oerlikon Neumag
Oerlikon Neumag is the market and technology leader for complete turnkey lines for the production of BCF carpet yarn and synthetic staple fiber. Additionally Neumag is the first supplier for major Nonwoven processes: carding, airlaid and spunbond.
With its proven technology in polyester staple fiber and more than 25 established production lines of 200 tons per day capacity, Oerlikon Neumag has taken the next step in increasing the capacity. The 300 tons per day line generates various scale advantages as reduced operation costs.
Specialty fibers such as PET recycling, acrylic, bicomponent and aramid can be processed on Neumag’s smaller one and two step plants. Oerlikon Neumag offers a comprehensive nonwoven technology portfolio which includes spunbond, meltblown, airlaid and carding technology. Besides the traditional machine supply Oerlikon Neumag offers customized solutions consisting of different web forming processes.
In spunmelt Oerlikon Neumag is focusing on competence in spinning to address the need for technical applications through advanced processes like bicomponent technology. Oerlikon Neumags’ advantages in spinning a wide range of alternative polymers such as PLA and PET have been further strengthened by constant development efforts in the pilot line in Neumünster. In meltblown development efforts are focused on fine denier material for high quality filtration products.
At INDEX 2011, Oerlikon Neumag announced that that the company received an order for an airlaid plant with a capacity of 7000 tons per year in March 2011. The contract of the airlaid equipment was concluded with Selcuk Group in Turkey who is a leading producer of yarns and textiles in the region of Gaziantep.
Osprey
Osprey introduced Blue-Sky filter . Over two years of research and testing have gone into the Blue-Sky filter.According to Osprey’s head of product development Marty Price, “The Blue-Sky filter was developed for customers with increasing line speeds and higher SAP contents in mind. This new filter provides HEPA quality air filtration without the use of an Osprey final filter or disk section.”
The Blue-Sky filter advantages include: highest filtration level available, lower initial equipment cost, reduced explosion risk, higher safety rating, new seal and media design, no compressed air required, lower energy costs and new high capacity pockets. Additionally, a patented Phoenix design is available.
Optima Group
Optima Group showed INDEX attendees its new linear conveyor system. The system has substantial advantages for the packaging process. The new stacker integrates a pioneering transport system that uses the principle of a linear servo drive—similar to that of a magnetic levitation train.Optima Group also presented INDEXattendees with its new Amotek FB2 packaging machine that impresses with outstanding packaging quality and high output. The flowbagger is suitable for paper hygiene products, such as baby diapers and femcare products, Optima Group also unveiled the EX-Factor, which shows machine technology in 3D and allows you to go deep inside the process of new modules and features.
Phoenix Machinery
Phoenix Machinery introduced its hygiene product machines and touted its expertise in design, manufacturing and retrofitting of various types of applicators, stretch ears, pad forming units, cut and place units for feminine napkins, baby and adult diaper machines, and prepackaging line stacker-compactor.
Pantex International
An Italian roll goods producer of premium materials for the hygiene market at INDEX11. Pantex International showcased it broad range of topsheets, acquisition distribution layers and elastics for waistbands and side panel applications. Pantex put the spotlight on its new ultrasoft topsheets designed with special fibers which enhance the softness, the opacity and the whiteness of the nonwoven.
The company also featured its program of basis weight reduction: new grades of the cloth-like composites as light as 20 gsm with comparable or even improved product performance in terms of fluid handling, masking and softness. This program along with the use of zero emission bonding and perforation technology responds also to the demand to minimize the environmental impact.
“We continue to invest in R&D and in particular for products that are natural, renewable as well as biodegradable,”said CEO Gianlugi Fornoni. In fact the company offered samples of its new eco thermal bonded product, 100 % made of PLA with good coverage and uniformity, fast acquisition, low rewet and good tensile strength.
Pantex is also committed to social responsibility with a number of projects involved in international solidarity, such as supporting children from less privileged countries.
Reicofil
At INDEX, Reicofil from the Reifenhauser Gruppe unveiled Reicofil RF 4 state-of- the-art technology.“Our technology has the potential in regard to speed, throughput, and lower fabric weight. With Our technology we can deliver the required product properties to its lowest cost with material and energy,” said the company's service sales manager Jorg Linden.
Reifenhäuser Reicofil offers customized combined heat and power plants (CHP) for new and existing Recofil spunbonding and composite lines that enable a new generation of electric power and an optimal use of the resulting waste heat, depending on the configuration of the lines. The new energy concept was presented by Reicofil at INDEX 2011.
Under optimal conditions, customized combined heat and power plants can achieve an overall efficiency of over 90%, far more than common central power stations. Producers disposing of their own CHP are able to produce part of the required electricity and at the same time they can utilize the waste heat in a targeted way on different temperature levels. For example, high temperatures can be used to generate hot compressed air for the melt blown process or for heating calenders and driers, while low temperature levels are suitable for pre-heating of process air or secondary air or for space heating. In combination with an absorption refrigerator, they are even appropriate for process air cooling and air conditioning of buildings.
According to Hans-Georg Geus, technical director of Reicofil, combined heat and power plants offer essential advantages: “The targeted utilization of waste heat resulting from a combined generation of heat and power enables the users of such plants to reduce their production costs while at the same time their production will become more sustainable and resource conserving.”
Sandler
At INDEX, Sandler introduced Bio textile. The company’s newest spunlace technology enables it to achieve even lower basis weights at low energy usage while the well-proven quality is maintained. Consequently, raw material consumption and CO2 emissions resulting from energy utilization are being minimized. The lightweight wipes substrates also decrease the amount of waste after use.
The wipes substrate, Bio textile, was developed in cooperation with one of the company’s raw material suppliers. It is composed of 100% viscose fibers, making it fully biodegradable. The product features excellent absorbency and softness atlow basis weights. Both the fibers utilized as well as the nonwoven substrate are certified according to the PEFC standard, which stands for a sustainable handling of wood and products made of it. The fibers are of European origin, thus minimizing the overall carbon emissions in transportation and positively affecting the carbon footprint of the product. The Sandler Bio Wipe substrate is also equipped with a unique hydro-embossing design with design elements illustrating the manufacturer’s commitment to sustainability.
Techadhesion
TechAdhesion, a leader of hot melt adhesive application system in Asia-Pacific showcased a new TMS mini swirl module for elastic. The nozzle has an individual string so customers can change the nozzle tip. The module has a high speed of over 1000 cycles per minutes.
Teknoweb
Carl Cucuzza, president of Teknoweb North America, was at INDEX showcasing his company’s six lane Futura wet wipes converting machine.
“What's new is the speed capability. We are demonstrating a machine that is running at 900 cuts per minute. These numbers mean we continue to try to provide advantages that allow our customers to produce more good products in the same amount of time. We’re running an airlaid material and a spunlace to show the flexibility of the machine for very different substrates,” he said.
Texol
At INDEX, Texol introduced a new version of its Extreme film for the femcare sector. Extreme 3 is a double perforated film with the softness of cotton and dryness of net. The product comes on the heels of Texol’s success with Extreme 1.
Texol’s Michela Clini, customer service was on hand to tell INDEX attendees, “Texol’s technology in DNA follows all of its customers’ needs.”
Ms. Clini said Extreme 3’s main enhancement is the implementation of elliptical holes rather than round ones, which together with a newly developed blend and a series of process modifications has resulted in many benefits. These include increased film softness as well as better masking and acquisition.
Texol also presented INDEX attendees with its Ela-tri high stretch for baby diapers and Ela-tri standard stretch for both baby and adult diapers.”
Texsus
Texsus introduced the new Velvtouch line produced with a special technology aimed to give enhanced features to regular substrates. With this innovative process, many different materials can be treated including perforated plastic film, plastic film, spunbonded and elastic film. A variety of synthetic fibers can be combined with many personalized patterns to offer a unique custom-made layer.
Texsus recently doubled its AirThrough bonding production capacity adding an additional line fully equipped with the latest modern technologies, the new capacity is mainly dedicated to the production of High Loft ADL, including high grammage and multilayers materials and Soft Topsheets. Texsus also announced it has improved its packaging services thanks to two modern spooling lines.
Tredegar Film Products
Tredegar Film Products unveiled a number of new products at INDEX11. Tredegar’s new innovations include additions and enhancements to its topsheets, acquisition distribution layers and elastic product lines.
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of topsheets, Tredegar introduced several new topsheet grades at INDEX11, including one of Tredegar’s latest premium topsheet concepts—SoftAire apertured film.A new grade of this project was available at the show.Tredegar also presented the latest innovations in its FreshFeel apertured film platform, ComfortAire apertured laminate topsheets,ComfortFeel laminate topsheets, and the latest breakthrough generation of our AquiDry acquisition distribution layers.
Tredegar’s protective films provide the cleanliness and ease of removal required to protect against defects in optical materials. Tredegar’s no-adhesive technology is compatible with smooth, matte, coated, and textured surfaces.Advanced process technology and clean room manufacturing provide industry-leading quality assured low defect counts.
Trützschler Nonwovens
At INDEX Trützschler Nonwovens presented its latest developments in the fields of hygienic appplications and light webs. Technological developments in these fields includes lines for chemical bonding including the new Fleissner Double Roller Unit for liquid and foam impregnation, lines for thermal bonding (through-air bonding/thermobonding that reduce energy consumption and spunlace lines.
The foam impregnation padder and the liquid impregnation padder from Fleissner’s product range have been redeigned as part of the company’s constant efforts to adapt the products of the Trützschler Nonwovens Group to the market’s requirements.
Wellman International
Wellman International showcased Sensifil HY range of polyester fibers for the hygiene sector. The asthma and allergy friendly fiber offers benefits for skin contact related conditions.
Wellman also highlighted its new range of Profile HY fibers. They are designed with greater surface area to weight ratio and enhanced liquid distribution properties.The fiber shape allows for maximized lobe dimensions and allows for a greater hydrophilic surface area and improved liquid management. The company’s HY ranges for hygiene applications include Softflex, Fillwell, Wellbond, Profile and Wellblend.
A look at what exhibitors showcased at INDEX 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland.
For another edition, INDEX 11 closed its doors with record-breaking results, confirming its title as“The world’s leading nonwovens exhibition,” with a diversity of products and services on offer, from all sectors of the market—from machinery and raw materials to converted products.
More than 12,600 visitors made their way through the doors of the Geneva Palexpo exhibition center, intent to see the 530 exhibitors from 43 countries in over 21,600 square meters of stand space across 50,000 square meters of exhibition halls.
Visitors attending the show, which ran from April 12-15, 2011 were able to engage with a larger portion of the industry than ever before, as well as take advantage of the special events organized during the exhibition.Special events focused on innovation, nonwovens in packaging and product presentations, as well as introductory lunchtime tutorials to provide an overview of the world-famous EDANA training courses.
“For an industry which has just started to show signs of recovery—now finally rising to levels above those recorded before the global financial crisis, we can be incredibly proud.This challenging commercial context spurred the nonwovens industry, already renowned for its creativity and development, to be even more innovative, and companies are investing in sustainable activities which not only bring a positive effect to the world we live in but also secure the industry for the future,” said Pierre Wiertz, general manager of EDANA, the sponsor of INDEX.
A. Celli Nonwovens
At INDEX, A.Celli Nonwovens presented a new printing machine. Alessandro Celli, CEO told Nonwovens Industry, “We are printing with UV technology. This is the first time UV technology is employed with nonwovens. The machine is very flexible. It can print UV with UV technology or water-based or solvent-based inks. The most important thing is that this is the first time that this technology is being used. It gives a very high quality product. It gives very high quality printing. It is easier for maintenance. You can print on nonwovens, plastic film or tissue paper.”
AccuSentry
At INDEX, AccuSentry promoted its SingleCull Package that can reduce waste for absorbent hygiene manufacturers via Adaptive Phasing Technology that is available on the newest version of AccuSentry’s Sentry 9000 inspection systems. The patent pending technology effectively synchronizes reject signals from multiple inspection points and accurately pinpoints the delay timing to reject only the defective product as detected by the system. According to AccuSentry executives, the technology can decrease material scrapping from process defects in diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene production by 66-80%. Currently three to five products are scrapped per incident as operators have trouble accurately synchronizing the delay timing of the reject gate at full production speeds.
The SingleCull technology builds on AccuSentry’s deep commitment to the nonwoven and absorbent hygiene industries. It complements AccuSentry’s Centerlining technique, first introduced at Insight in 2010, which delivers operators vital realtime data on a screen of control graphs measuring product attributes like position, length, width and other parameters during full speed production. When the product is being produced within a specified target range, the graphs are white; when the product begins to drift out of range they turn yellow and when things are bad, they are red so the operator needs to take only one look at the screen to see there is a problem.
Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a high performance materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. At INDEX, the company highlighted its products, which are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, wall coverings, wipes, flooring, labels and food packaging. Ahlstrom has a leading market position in the businesses in which it operates.Ahlstrom’s Building and Energy Business Area serves customers mainly in the building (flooring, roofing, wallcovering and various other building applications), transportation, marine, windmill and fabric care industries.In filtration, Ahlstrom has two business units: Transportation Filtration and Advanced Filtration.
Ahlstrom’s Food and Medical Business Area serves customers in the infusion, food packaging, tape and specialty, medical and healthcare markets.And, in the Home and Personal Business Area manufactures the widest range of wipe materials available on the market. Applications are numerous and diverse but can be grouped into four main wipes market segments
At INDEX, Andritz Nonwoven announced it concluded a contract with BG Filter in China for a spunjet machine, 6.6 meters wide. The new Spunjet line sold to Shanghai BG Filter will have a total capacity of 19,000 tons per year. The line will be hydroentangled PP and PET continuous mono filaments, from an in-line spunbond tower.
This line is dedicated to filtration and geotextile markets and will be delivered on December 2011 for a start-up during the first quarter of 2012.
This line is the widest hydroentanglement line ever delivered, while the former widest lines were in the range of five meters wide.
Asahi Kasei Corporation
At INDEX Asahi Kasei Corporation highlighted dECOb environmentally-friendly bag filters, engineered to offer electricity savings of up to 20%. The filter material was developed with Asamasu. The material is Asahi’s Smash polyester spunbond nonwoven with a fine concave/convex surface pattern. The pattern is designed to increase the dust collection volume and reduce pressure drop, resulting in energy savings compared to conventional filter bags.
Smash polyester spunbond has the formability of a thermoplastic and can be easily heat-press moulded. Asahi Kasei also introduced Bemliese, a cellulosic continuous filament nonwovens with ultra low lint generation, superior liquid absorbency, thermal stability, pick-up, purity and biodegradability. Applications for Bemliese include cleanrooms, agricultural and horticultural mats and covers, filters for teabags and other food products cosmetic pads and cloths for hospitals and clinics.
Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison showcased its portfolio of medical and personal care products that meet the needs of manufacturers and end-users worldwide. The company exhibited nonwoven solutions for baby diapers and adult incontinence and feminine hygiene items, as well as surgical, wound care and ostomy applications.
Avery Dennison supports diaper manufacturers with a comprehensive diaper closure portfolio that satisfies the needs of baby diapers and adult incontinence products in both emerging and mature markets, and for high and economic-product tiers.
Several new Avery Dennison nonwoven diaper closure innovations that were displayed at INDEX11 were designed and developed based on input from mothers and fathers.
Avery Dennison highlighted its technology platforms for medical devices that meet manufacturer and end-user requirements for reliability, innovation and quality. Products on display included surgical drape tapes that fill a wide range of skin adhesion needs that are available as bordering tapes, fenestration tapes and OP strips. The tapes can be produced with proprietary adhesives such as Wet stick, which adheres securely to skin even when the drape becomes wet during surgery.
Also on display were surgical Incise Films that provide breathability required for virtually any procedure, even in difficult to drape areas. Efficient application systems, such as handling bars and adhesive-free areas, make the films easy to position and apply. The films offer superior adhesion in difficult and moist conditions throughout the procedure.
The company also showed Ultra-Thin Hydrocolloids that offer benefits for wound care applications, including increased comfort and flexibility, longer wear time, gentle removal and reduced skin softening and irritation.
Barnhardt Manufacturing
At INDEX, Barnhardt Natural Fibers Group, Charlotte, NC, and Japan’s Marusan Industry announced the formation of a joint collaboration for a broad range of business activities including technical and process improvements, global raw material procurement and marketing of products from their bleached cotton divisions. This collaboration is being formed to further the development of cotton products globally. Both companies bring a long history and passion for cotton.
BASF
BASF presented new products and customer-orientated applications at INDEX 2011.BASF experts informed and advised business professionals about BASF’s comprehensive service and product range in the field of fiber bonding, additives and superabsorbents. BASF addressed customers from the hygiene and nonwoven industry and all companies that require environmentally friendly binding agents and liquid-absorbing polymers for their products.
Binding agents for fibrous materials in the form of dispersions and reactive resins have become part of our daily life. They hold together a large number of products that simplify our everyday life in many ways.
When used in nonwovens, they make roofing membranes tear-proof and ensure that PVC floors keep their shape. Thanks to such dispersions, waterproof cellulose substrates can be turned into highly efficient decorative paper, filters or nonwoven wallpaper. Natural fibers are used to produce light-weight construction material or floor coverings.
At this year’s INDEX, one focus in the field of dispersions for fiber bonding was on the ecologically compatible reactive resins of the Acrodur brand. As a water-based, formaldehyde-free system,
Acrodur offers an environmentally friendly alternative to solvent based or formaldehyde-containing resins and consequently guarantees safe and simple handling. It is, for example, used as a bonding agent for nonwovens made of polyester and glass fibers in construction applications such as PVC floors and insulating mats.
Another focus is on Acronal-branded acrylate dispersions. Apart from conventional applications for polyester and glass nonwoven fabrics, the bonding agents are also suitable for cellulosic substrates.
Birla Cellulose, a world leader in cellulosic fibers, participated in a large way in the recently concluded INDEX 2011, presenting its innovative range of Eco Life fibers—fibers made from pure nature, that enrich a wide range of nonwoven fibers. These 100% natural based fibers, made from the choicest of wood pulp, add the Nature’s Magic Touch to nonwovens, making them softer, greener, gentler and more skin friendly. Birla Purocel, the specialized nonwoven viscose fiber offering of Birla Cellulose, is manufactured with a unique ICU concept manufacturing that ensures highest levels of purity, hygiene and safety.These unique properties make the fiber an excellent ingredient for close-to-skin personal care applications like skincare wipes, baby wipes, feminine hygiene, medical masks and caps.
A next generation advanced cellulosic fiber, called Birla Excel, was another unique offering of Birla Cellulose that combines the features of viscose and adds on strength to them, making it suitable for industrial applications as well.This fiber sets new standards in eco-friendliness with a closed loop manufacturing process that minimizes byproducts. Birla Spunshades, the colored, dope-dyed viscose fiber offering came as a new innovation in colored fibers, that are dyed at the fiber stage itself, reducing dyeing costs down the value chain. The fiber has 14 shades that find intense use in the nonwovens sector.
Bostik
Bostik showcased Relyance, the olefin-based adhesive platform that was launched in 2009 and recognized as an outstanding new product by the IDEA10 Achievement Awards in 2010. Relyance provides outstanding performance when compared to a traditional SBC-based adhesive and is unmatched by any other olefin product on the market. Relyance was uniquely designed to reduce supply and price volatility while maintaining robust performance and exceptional processability. Customers are finding that converting to Relyance is seamless as it performs well on traditional equipment. “The development of the Relyance platform is one more example of Bostik’s commitment to solutions that combine technological performance, ease of use and sustainable innovation,” said Courtney Korselt, communications and insight manager, Nonwovens/Tape and Label Business Unit. “It is just the latest in Bostik’s long line of industry-leading innovations that include Securance and ZeroCreep.”
Cotton Incorporated
Cotton, the world’s most plentiful, natural fiber, is soft, absorbent, hypoallergenic and annually renewable. Consumers know and love cotton; 90% believe it’s the safest fiber for the environment. In its virgin state, cotton is hydrophobic; after scouring, hydrophilic. At the end of its life, cotton biodegrades. At INDEX 11, Cotton Incorporated shared test results showing that cotton biodegrades under composting, anaerobic, and aerobic conditions with a better than 90% mass loss in only four weeks. Cotton Incorporated also featured a new swatch card containing samples and ideas for using virgin, cleaned and bleached cotton fiber. Lastly, new, commercially available cotton nonwoven products were highlighted.
ES Fibervisions
ES Fibervisions unveiled PTC Bounce fiber. The fiber is created to provide improved resilience, bulk and softness properties. Developed for customers who use ultrasonic welding to bond nonwovens the bico PTC polypropylene fiber has a polyester core.
The PET core provides PTC Bounce-based nonwovens enhanced bulk and resilience. The PP sheath gives superior bonding capabilities to the fiber.
The fibers are available in 2.2-6.7 dtex and many aspects can be customized including the liquid acquisition properties using ES Fibervisions’ finishing technology.
Fameccanica
At INDEX, Fameccanica showcased several new ideas and technologies in its machinery and process.Fameccanica’s equipment reaches the highest production speeds and outstanding process performances due to the new features.The company introduced the new high speed range of machines, including a new baby diaper line and an adult incontinence line, both designed to prioritize efficiency and waste levels aimed at the lowest unitary finished product cost, simplify the retrofitting of future upgrade kits with short delivery time and reduced installation efforts.
The baby diapers machine model FA-X P10, features a production speed of 1000 pieces/minute or linear speed of 450 meters/minute, along with high efficiency and low scraps levels. The adult incontinence machine model FIX P5, features a production speed of 500 pieces/minute or 400 meters/minute, whichever comes first, and can manufacture multi-piece products with either shaped or rectangular side-panels.
Fameccanica also introduced the new “U”- Forming System” design, capable of producing ultra-thin pads with high SAP content; thanks to the most accurate pressing technology installed, the pad also maintains very high integrity and a very low weight variation.
In the machinery theme, Fameccanica also included the new Paksis N-12 packaging unit for lady sanitary napkins, panty-liners and light-inco pads, flat or tri-folded, thin or thick. It can also accommodate an incoming pace from 1000 to 1600 products per minute and deliver from 90 to 120 bags per minute.
Fatra
Fatra’s hygiene division manufactures breathable films and laminates. At INDEX, the company emphasized its Sontek F PE films and Sontek L breathable laminates. These materials are created to be used as a backsheet in the manufacturing of disposable sanitary products such as baby diapers and sanitary towels.
The materials can be embossed and printed in up to eight colors. Breathability can be adjusted to meet customer’s specifications. Fatra, which is located in Central Europe also demonstrated its extra soft breathable and bicomponent breathable laminates.
Fibervisions
Fibervisions unveiled a new unique line of fine fibers at INDEX 2011 which will help nonwovens producers continue their evolution toward high-performance lightweight and soft nonwovens. FiberVisions has developed cost effective polypropylene (PP) fine fibers in response to the continuing need to make carded nonwoven fabrics more cost effective. Finer fibers allow the nonwoven fabric manufacturers to produce lightweight fabrics maintaining fabric strength and fabric coverage while improving fabric uniformity and softness. Developed for drylaid, wetlaid and airlaid fiber formation, the new range of fine dtex polypropylene (PP) staple fibers offers unmatched softness and coverage, high nonwoven tensile strength and low density (ca. 0.9 g/cm³) for uniform, thinner and lighter nonwoven fabrics. They also provide higher efficiency for filtration products. This creates new opportunities for customers to source fibers from as low as 1.0 dtex to 1.7 dtex for their nonwovens applications.
Ginni Nonwovens
Ginni Nonwovens rolled out a new spunlace that has improved performance and that is made from 1.2 den and 0.9 den polyester fibers. Ginni touted that it operates India’s first modern spunlace nonwoven plant and that it is running at 100% capacity of 10,000 metric tons annually.
The company has its own power plant and generates electricity from compressed natural gas.The plant also has its own microbiology lab for raw materials and manufactured products’ testing.
GKD
At INDEX, GKD highlighted process belt solutions, which are engineered to meet the increasing demands of nonwovens production. GKD’s solutions are custom made to overcome and mesh designs of stainless steel, steel and bronze or composite meshes of metal and plastic.
Debondo, a non-stick coated process belt for impregnation processes is temperature resistant up to 250°C. Its silicon coating prevents the build-up of disruptive deposits and it makes cleaning easier.
The new plastic spiral belts made from PPS or PEEK offer particular flexibility in thermal bonding processes and can be seamlessly joined and designed to be magnetic or electrostatic-conducive.
GDM’s new START technological platform is being offered to all producers who wish to consolidate and increase their production volumes through selling high service competitive products at low production costs. For baby products, this includes machines designed to produce traditional or winged products at speeds of 500 ppm while for the adult incontinence segment, there is a line for hospital pads or adult diapers at speeds of 200 ppm. Meanwhile in incontinence, the X3M AT machine at 450 m/min is able to make multi-piece diapers for adults with rigid and elastic panels.
Also at INDEX, GDM presented its single culling process systems solution, which will enable waste reduction when changing raw materials of only one product and its new DISCovery platform based on an innovative rotating process which joins some distinctive elements of this new platform concept. The first machine based on this new platform will be made for the lady sector. It enables production capacities of up to 1500 ppm in fluff or airlaid configurations to make feminine products, panty liners and products for light incontinence.
Hangzhou Creator Machinery Manufacture Co. Ltd.
Hangzhou Creator Machinery Manufacture manufactures machines for adult diaper, baby diaper, sanitary napkin, under pad, pull up. The company works with a famous Italian company and uses Italian technology to build up the most sophisticated machines for customers worldwide. Hangzhou Creator Machinery helps customers in the layout of workshop as well as designing the finished products. The company serves customers from Asia, South Africa, Middle East, Europe and South America. Our customersmainly work for P&G, K-C and SCA.
Hills Inc.
At INDEX, Hills, Inc., a world leader in multi-component fiber extrusion technology presented its latest innovations in fiber extrusion technology resulting from unique polymer distribution and control for such varied process and products as spunbond, meltblown, and staple fibers.Hills showed a number of samples that have been produced on Hills lines including: High Island Count Islands-In-The-Sea Fibers, Nano MB 7000 Meters Per Minute Spinning Speed Spunbond, Hepa Filters, Halar Samples, Logo Fibers, winged fibers – 64 Segment Pie courtesy of Allasso Industries, and leather substrates.
Isra Vision
Isra Vision touted its portfolio for optical in-line inspection at INDEX. Its portfolio includes intelligent tools for process optimization and a range of innovations for zero-defect production along the whole processing chain.
ITW Dynatec
On display at INDEX was ITW Dynatec’s hot melt and cold glue industrial adhesive applicators. The company highlighted its Vector Metering system, UFD Fiberized Spray Technology and DeltaFx Fiberized Spray system.
The Vector System accommodates slot, spray and strand coating applications. Its metering station is intended to offer cost savings and increased efficiency.
ITW Dynatec also showcased its DeltaFx system, an adhesive applicator with the capability of coating up to 12 inches wide with a single nozzle.
KNH Enterprises presented a host of capabilities to attendees including nonwoven: air through, airlaid, calender bond, composite airlaid, meltblown, circular needlepunch and spunlace. The company also highlighted personal and environmental care. In the latter category, the company emphasized filter media, face mask and wastewater treatment. Kirk Hwang president said, "We are nonwovens roll good suppliers. We are a vertically integrated company in terms of technology. We serve diapers and sanitary napkins clients. We have an in-house capability for personal care as well."
Kraton Polymers
At INDEX 2011, Kraton Polymers showcased its latest innovations in adhesives, elastic nonwovens and NEXAR polymers for performance fabrics.
Kraton scientists and executives discussed the features, benefits and applications of Kraton's latest innovations in the following end uses: Elastic Nonwovens for Single-Use Disposables and Durable Fabrics: Kraton Polymers' new polymer technology offers superior softness, bi-axial stretch and solid durability breaking through the process barriers of conventional styrenic block copolymers. The competitive advantage lies in the design and optimization of the copolymer while still being suitable for high speed processing. These elastic nonwovens are proven to be drapeable and non-tacky enabling the creation of products that are soft, quiet and discreet. Kraton polymers impart the stretch and flexibility required in personal care products and offer improved comfort in items such as scrub suit apparel, medical gown laminates and wound care dressings. These polymers paired with polyester and nylon make interesting fabrics for uniforms, outdoor apparel and furnishings.
NEXAR Polymers (Performance Fabrics): NEXAR polymers' selectively permeable membranes and coatings provide a unique solution that addresses the needs of textile innovators for high performance and breathable fabrics. They can be used in sports apparel, outdoor apparel and gear, military and industrial uniforms, as well as medical and geotextile applications. NEXAR polymers are lightweight and flexible, offer selective permeability in a nonporous membrane, deliver an excellent moisture transmission rate, do not require special equipment or processes, provide high strength in wet and dry environments and are chemical and chlorine resistant.
Lenzing
At INDEX, Lenzing’s fibers were highlighted. Made from the renewable resource wood, Lenzing’s fibers offer customers a way to balance the convenience of wipes and other disposable items with environmental consciousness.Wolfgang Plasser, vice president Business Unit Nonwovens, said: “Our aim is to optimize the synergy between functionality and environmental sustainability. This allows consumers to use convenience products with a clear conscience.”
Lenzing fibers are naturally absorbent and pure, like the cellulose from which they are derived. Tencel meets the highest demands: The New Age fiber combines enhanced performance with gentleness to the skin. Lenzing Viscose and Tencel are ideally suited for sensitive applications such as wipes, hygiene or medical products. Beyond this, they are tailored to provide optimized performance in technical applications. After use, Lenzing fibers can biodegrade fully.
The global trend in sustainability clearly supports Lenzing’s intention to grow both in traditional and emerging markets. Driven by the increasing awareness of consumers, the industry places more and more emphasis on environmentally responsible raw materials such as Lenzing Viscose and Tencel.
Mogul
At INDEX, Mogul showcased its polypropylene, PET, spunbond, meltblown, SMS, spunlace and peva film. “We have a wide range of spill control products. We have wide width crop covers up to 16 meters. We have PE/PP extrusion coated fabrics and aluminum coated fabrics. We have also developed some new grades with stitchbond reinforce of our spunbond and spunlace fabrics,” said Serkan Gogus, commercial director.
Nanliu Enterprises
At INDEX Chinese nonwovens producer Nanliu Enterprise Co. Ltd. unveiled Silk Soft Natural, a bio-degradable low-lint spunlace entirely made of PLA and wood pulp materials, which decompose naturally.
Paul Cheng, general manager said, “Silk Soft Natural is based on corn and wood pulp. It is ideal for surgical gowns and drapes and industrial low-lint wipes. Our repellent fabrics are for gowns and drapes and our absorbent is for industrial wipes.”
To prove this product’s ability to biodegrade, at INDEX the company had photos of the material three and six months after disposal. By six months, the material was nearly completely biodegraded.
Norafin
Norafin presented its nonwoven fabric for window shades.The fabric offers up to 98% reflection of infrared light. Norafin has been working on spunlacing of flax fibers with its partners Van Robaeys Freres and TDA.
Spunlaced flax is the basis of the new shading material which can contribute to a reduction in air conditioning due to the material’s ability to block infrared light up to 98% and ultraviolet up to 99%, without raising the lighting consumption. Sound absorption benefits are also accrued when using shades created from the new material.
Norafin also highlighted Komanda for durable protective apparel markets. Based on a combination of custom-engineered composite spunlaced materials and advanced chemical treatments, Komanda is suitable for arc-flash protective clothingindustrial flame retardant workwear and military uniforms. Norafin also touted its filter media for air and liquid filtration.
Oerlikon Neumag is the market and technology leader for complete turnkey lines for the production of BCF carpet yarn and synthetic staple fiber. Additionally Neumag is the first supplier for major Nonwoven processes: carding, airlaid and spunbond.
With its proven technology in polyester staple fiber and more than 25 established production lines of 200 tons per day capacity, Oerlikon Neumag has taken the next step in increasing the capacity. The 300 tons per day line generates various scale advantages as reduced operation costs.
Specialty fibers such as PET recycling, acrylic, bicomponent and aramid can be processed on Neumag’s smaller one and two step plants. Oerlikon Neumag offers a comprehensive nonwoven technology portfolio which includes spunbond, meltblown, airlaid and carding technology. Besides the traditional machine supply Oerlikon Neumag offers customized solutions consisting of different web forming processes.
In spunmelt Oerlikon Neumag is focusing on competence in spinning to address the need for technical applications through advanced processes like bicomponent technology. Oerlikon Neumags’ advantages in spinning a wide range of alternative polymers such as PLA and PET have been further strengthened by constant development efforts in the pilot line in Neumünster. In meltblown development efforts are focused on fine denier material for high quality filtration products.
At INDEX 2011, Oerlikon Neumag announced that that the company received an order for an airlaid plant with a capacity of 7000 tons per year in March 2011. The contract of the airlaid equipment was concluded with Selcuk Group in Turkey who is a leading producer of yarns and textiles in the region of Gaziantep.
Osprey
Osprey introduced Blue-Sky filter . Over two years of research and testing have gone into the Blue-Sky filter.According to Osprey’s head of product development Marty Price, “The Blue-Sky filter was developed for customers with increasing line speeds and higher SAP contents in mind. This new filter provides HEPA quality air filtration without the use of an Osprey final filter or disk section.”
The Blue-Sky filter advantages include: highest filtration level available, lower initial equipment cost, reduced explosion risk, higher safety rating, new seal and media design, no compressed air required, lower energy costs and new high capacity pockets. Additionally, a patented Phoenix design is available.
Optima Group
Optima Group showed INDEX attendees its new linear conveyor system. The system has substantial advantages for the packaging process. The new stacker integrates a pioneering transport system that uses the principle of a linear servo drive—similar to that of a magnetic levitation train.Optima Group also presented INDEXattendees with its new Amotek FB2 packaging machine that impresses with outstanding packaging quality and high output. The flowbagger is suitable for paper hygiene products, such as baby diapers and femcare products, Optima Group also unveiled the EX-Factor, which shows machine technology in 3D and allows you to go deep inside the process of new modules and features.
Phoenix Machinery
Phoenix Machinery introduced its hygiene product machines and touted its expertise in design, manufacturing and retrofitting of various types of applicators, stretch ears, pad forming units, cut and place units for feminine napkins, baby and adult diaper machines, and prepackaging line stacker-compactor.
An Italian roll goods producer of premium materials for the hygiene market at INDEX11. Pantex International showcased it broad range of topsheets, acquisition distribution layers and elastics for waistbands and side panel applications. Pantex put the spotlight on its new ultrasoft topsheets designed with special fibers which enhance the softness, the opacity and the whiteness of the nonwoven.
The company also featured its program of basis weight reduction: new grades of the cloth-like composites as light as 20 gsm with comparable or even improved product performance in terms of fluid handling, masking and softness. This program along with the use of zero emission bonding and perforation technology responds also to the demand to minimize the environmental impact.
“We continue to invest in R&D and in particular for products that are natural, renewable as well as biodegradable,”said CEO Gianlugi Fornoni. In fact the company offered samples of its new eco thermal bonded product, 100 % made of PLA with good coverage and uniformity, fast acquisition, low rewet and good tensile strength.
Pantex is also committed to social responsibility with a number of projects involved in international solidarity, such as supporting children from less privileged countries.
Reicofil
At INDEX, Reicofil from the Reifenhauser Gruppe unveiled Reicofil RF 4 state-of- the-art technology.“Our technology has the potential in regard to speed, throughput, and lower fabric weight. With Our technology we can deliver the required product properties to its lowest cost with material and energy,” said the company's service sales manager Jorg Linden.
Reifenhäuser Reicofil offers customized combined heat and power plants (CHP) for new and existing Recofil spunbonding and composite lines that enable a new generation of electric power and an optimal use of the resulting waste heat, depending on the configuration of the lines. The new energy concept was presented by Reicofil at INDEX 2011.
Under optimal conditions, customized combined heat and power plants can achieve an overall efficiency of over 90%, far more than common central power stations. Producers disposing of their own CHP are able to produce part of the required electricity and at the same time they can utilize the waste heat in a targeted way on different temperature levels. For example, high temperatures can be used to generate hot compressed air for the melt blown process or for heating calenders and driers, while low temperature levels are suitable for pre-heating of process air or secondary air or for space heating. In combination with an absorption refrigerator, they are even appropriate for process air cooling and air conditioning of buildings.
According to Hans-Georg Geus, technical director of Reicofil, combined heat and power plants offer essential advantages: “The targeted utilization of waste heat resulting from a combined generation of heat and power enables the users of such plants to reduce their production costs while at the same time their production will become more sustainable and resource conserving.”
Sandler
At INDEX, Sandler introduced Bio textile. The company’s newest spunlace technology enables it to achieve even lower basis weights at low energy usage while the well-proven quality is maintained. Consequently, raw material consumption and CO2 emissions resulting from energy utilization are being minimized. The lightweight wipes substrates also decrease the amount of waste after use.
The wipes substrate, Bio textile, was developed in cooperation with one of the company’s raw material suppliers. It is composed of 100% viscose fibers, making it fully biodegradable. The product features excellent absorbency and softness atlow basis weights. Both the fibers utilized as well as the nonwoven substrate are certified according to the PEFC standard, which stands for a sustainable handling of wood and products made of it. The fibers are of European origin, thus minimizing the overall carbon emissions in transportation and positively affecting the carbon footprint of the product. The Sandler Bio Wipe substrate is also equipped with a unique hydro-embossing design with design elements illustrating the manufacturer’s commitment to sustainability.
Techadhesion
TechAdhesion, a leader of hot melt adhesive application system in Asia-Pacific showcased a new TMS mini swirl module for elastic. The nozzle has an individual string so customers can change the nozzle tip. The module has a high speed of over 1000 cycles per minutes.
Teknoweb
Carl Cucuzza, president of Teknoweb North America, was at INDEX showcasing his company’s six lane Futura wet wipes converting machine.
“What's new is the speed capability. We are demonstrating a machine that is running at 900 cuts per minute. These numbers mean we continue to try to provide advantages that allow our customers to produce more good products in the same amount of time. We’re running an airlaid material and a spunlace to show the flexibility of the machine for very different substrates,” he said.
Texol
At INDEX, Texol introduced a new version of its Extreme film for the femcare sector. Extreme 3 is a double perforated film with the softness of cotton and dryness of net. The product comes on the heels of Texol’s success with Extreme 1.
Texol’s Michela Clini, customer service was on hand to tell INDEX attendees, “Texol’s technology in DNA follows all of its customers’ needs.”
Ms. Clini said Extreme 3’s main enhancement is the implementation of elliptical holes rather than round ones, which together with a newly developed blend and a series of process modifications has resulted in many benefits. These include increased film softness as well as better masking and acquisition.
Texol also presented INDEX attendees with its Ela-tri high stretch for baby diapers and Ela-tri standard stretch for both baby and adult diapers.”
Texsus
Texsus introduced the new Velvtouch line produced with a special technology aimed to give enhanced features to regular substrates. With this innovative process, many different materials can be treated including perforated plastic film, plastic film, spunbonded and elastic film. A variety of synthetic fibers can be combined with many personalized patterns to offer a unique custom-made layer.
Texsus recently doubled its AirThrough bonding production capacity adding an additional line fully equipped with the latest modern technologies, the new capacity is mainly dedicated to the production of High Loft ADL, including high grammage and multilayers materials and Soft Topsheets. Texsus also announced it has improved its packaging services thanks to two modern spooling lines.
Tredegar Film Products
Tredegar Film Products unveiled a number of new products at INDEX11. Tredegar’s new innovations include additions and enhancements to its topsheets, acquisition distribution layers and elastic product lines.
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of topsheets, Tredegar introduced several new topsheet grades at INDEX11, including one of Tredegar’s latest premium topsheet concepts—SoftAire apertured film.A new grade of this project was available at the show.Tredegar also presented the latest innovations in its FreshFeel apertured film platform, ComfortAire apertured laminate topsheets,ComfortFeel laminate topsheets, and the latest breakthrough generation of our AquiDry acquisition distribution layers.
Tredegar’s protective films provide the cleanliness and ease of removal required to protect against defects in optical materials. Tredegar’s no-adhesive technology is compatible with smooth, matte, coated, and textured surfaces.Advanced process technology and clean room manufacturing provide industry-leading quality assured low defect counts.
Trützschler Nonwovens
At INDEX Trützschler Nonwovens presented its latest developments in the fields of hygienic appplications and light webs. Technological developments in these fields includes lines for chemical bonding including the new Fleissner Double Roller Unit for liquid and foam impregnation, lines for thermal bonding (through-air bonding/thermobonding that reduce energy consumption and spunlace lines.
The foam impregnation padder and the liquid impregnation padder from Fleissner’s product range have been redeigned as part of the company’s constant efforts to adapt the products of the Trützschler Nonwovens Group to the market’s requirements.
Wellman International
Wellman International showcased Sensifil HY range of polyester fibers for the hygiene sector. The asthma and allergy friendly fiber offers benefits for skin contact related conditions.
Wellman also highlighted its new range of Profile HY fibers. They are designed with greater surface area to weight ratio and enhanced liquid distribution properties.The fiber shape allows for maximized lobe dimensions and allows for a greater hydrophilic surface area and improved liquid management. The company’s HY ranges for hygiene applications include Softflex, Fillwell, Wellbond, Profile and Wellblend.