Karen McIntyre, editor04.12.21
NXTNano, LLC has begun the installation of three additional HYPR-Spun Nanofiber production lines. The first of the lines is expected to be operational in June, and all three will be complete by the end of the year. The new lines will take the Claremore, OK-based company's total line count to six and—similar to existing production lines—the newest equipment will facilitate high volume nanofiber manufacturing up to a maximum roll width of 2.15 meters.
“2020 was an incredible year for NXTNano. We saw rapid adoption of the technology into a number of new markets, and more importantly we have a social obligation to continue serving our mask, respirator and indoor air purification customers who have taken up the fight against COVID. In existing markets, we expected COVID to produce a pronounced slowdown but that never materialized. As a result of the growth and new projects moving to commercial sales, the time has arrived for us to add capacity,” says Andrew McDowell, NXTNano, LLC’s director of sales.
The number of markets commercially consuming nanofiber has continued to exhibit strong growth and according to industry reports, is expected to continue this trend. Industry wide forecasts for CAGR are expected to be above 36% though 2023. This level of growth, combined with a unique focus on application know-how has allowed NxtNano to lead the pack in both innovation and economics based adoption.
“I’ve spent nearly my entire career in nonwovens and filtration, over 30 years now, and the last 9 months have been unique to anything I’ve seen before,” said Alan Smithies, NxtNano’s vice president of technology. “The growth has not been without challenges, but I firmly believe we as a company have stepped forward and embraced them. Our head count is now above 80 people, more than two and a half times what it was in 2019, and we are putting out full truckloads of material every day. Our customers have been absolutely phenomenal in working with us to execute innovative products the market desperately needed, and for that, I must give them credit. These new lines are our commitment to ensuring they continue to succeed.
“2020 was an incredible year for NXTNano. We saw rapid adoption of the technology into a number of new markets, and more importantly we have a social obligation to continue serving our mask, respirator and indoor air purification customers who have taken up the fight against COVID. In existing markets, we expected COVID to produce a pronounced slowdown but that never materialized. As a result of the growth and new projects moving to commercial sales, the time has arrived for us to add capacity,” says Andrew McDowell, NXTNano, LLC’s director of sales.
The number of markets commercially consuming nanofiber has continued to exhibit strong growth and according to industry reports, is expected to continue this trend. Industry wide forecasts for CAGR are expected to be above 36% though 2023. This level of growth, combined with a unique focus on application know-how has allowed NxtNano to lead the pack in both innovation and economics based adoption.
“I’ve spent nearly my entire career in nonwovens and filtration, over 30 years now, and the last 9 months have been unique to anything I’ve seen before,” said Alan Smithies, NxtNano’s vice president of technology. “The growth has not been without challenges, but I firmly believe we as a company have stepped forward and embraced them. Our head count is now above 80 people, more than two and a half times what it was in 2019, and we are putting out full truckloads of material every day. Our customers have been absolutely phenomenal in working with us to execute innovative products the market desperately needed, and for that, I must give them credit. These new lines are our commitment to ensuring they continue to succeed.
