Tara Olivo, Associate Editor10.04.22
Converting companies are an integral part of the nonwovens supply chain. For all of the advantages the industry’s products provide, a lot has to happen prior to their end use. Nonwovens need to be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes, scaled down to become a single-use product, as well as printed, packaged and more. Sometimes the process is simple, and sometimes more complex, with converting companies using the latest technology to add value to products and make them easier to use. The following is a compilation of capabilities and services of some the nonwovens industry’s leading converters.
www.americanflexpack.com
www.athea.com
A new low tension unwind control system enables more effective unwinding of narrower and fragile materials. Newly designed master controls are being implemented in most laminating machines to improve capabilities and user friendliness for laminating crews.
Beckmann Converting is making use of a new slitter/rewind machine that can handle materials up to 80” wide. With ongoing supply chain disruptions, various raw materials may arrive that are all at different widths. On occasion it is best to slit/trim these materials down to the same width to facilitate the laminating process. Finished laminates impacted by the thermal processes of ultrasonics may need up to a few days to return to steady state dimensions before slitting. As an alternative to inline slitting, the company can slit using a secondary operation.
The U.S.-based company converts continuous, wide web, roll-to-roll customer owned technical materials into multiple layer high performance textile composites. Ultrasonic laminating lines process raw materials up to 126 inches wide with finished product incorporating two to seven layers of nonwovens, films, knits, wovens, meshes and other materials. Beckmann Converting operates on a fully registered ISO9001:2015 Quality Management Program.
A new Laminating Sampler is being offered by the company as a supplement to the Virtual Swatchbook, a critical tool on its website. https://www.beckmannconverting.com/resources/virtual-swatchbook/
The Sampler shows each of the eight different bonding roll patterns available for use as they appear on nonwoven materials. These impactful tools are driving shorter Go To Market timetables for new products. Request a copy of the Sampler by contacting Beckmann Converting.
www.beckmannconverting.com
And now Organyc has gone another step in its respect for the earth. Not only does it use geothermal and solar energy to power its Milan manufacturing facility, now it is partnering with Plastics for Change (www.plasticsforchange.org) in a sustainability empowerment initiative. This partnership goes beyond a cleanup campaign, to help empower women who work to repair the earth and oceans, providing economic stability and lifting them up out of poverty. A new logo will begin appearing on packaging this month announcing this exciting action.
www.corman.it
The past two+ years of working through the changes and challenges throughout the industry have been difficult and caused many businesses to reassess or even close. For Kleen Test Products, however, the pandemic has increased the focus on core business and strengthened relationships with customers through the commitment to consistently deliver high quality products to meet expectations. In order to deliver against this customer commitment, KTP has made significant investment in upgrading and automating manufacturing facilities, increasing production capacity and improving delivery and shipping logistics.
For example, at KTP’s Strasburg, OH, facility, the company has completed two major expansion projects. The first expansion was completed in May, 2021, and provides enhanced capability for bleach and peroxide products as well as adding truck docks to improve transportation logistics. The second expansion was completed earlier this year. Together, these expansions will almost triple the size of KTP’s manufacturing footprint in Strasburg and add a total of 12 new truck docks.
KTP’s continued focus on manufacturing high quality products to meet or exceed customer expectations and the long-term valued relationships with suppliers and technology partners have allowed KTP to not only survive the pandemic, but to strengthen core capabilities. As a result, the company is well positioned for growth and business success over the next several years and beyond.
www.kleentest.com
Contract Microcreping is at the core of its business. Running a wide range of materials improves Micrex’s grasp of market needs and informs its R&D. As it has no product except its technology, Micrex will never be a competitor to its contract converting customers.
Micrex performs product development through the Micrex Innovation Lab. This integrates with contract Microcreping services for those firms whose current needs do not yet require the purchase of a dedicated Micrex/Microcreper system. Micrex is prepared to support projects from initial development through large scale production. All configurations of Micrex/Microcreper are available for contract production.
No-cost lab scale screening trials are available to qualified customers. For information about this program please see: http://micrex.com/screening-trials/
www.micrex.com
www.nationalwiper.com
Bill Lutz, vice president, Sales & Marketing for Premier Care states, “In 2020 and early 2021 the wet wipes industry experienced unprecedented demand for disinfecting and sanitizing wet wipes to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. The aftermath was a slowdown in the industry as the customer better understood how to deal with the pandemic and worked through their wet wipe inventories. As the marketplace normalizes, we believe Premier Care Industries is best positioned to service the needs of the marketplace as we head into 2023.”
Lutz adds, “Premier Care is excited about its growth prospects over the next 10 years with its manufacturing expertise based on core values and the highest standards. We will continue to expand our capabilities with investments in people, product development, cutting-edge technologies, and added capacities to better service our portfolio of customers and the ever-growing demand in the marketplace.”
www.precare.com
“During the pandemic, worldwide logistical interruptions forced U.S. and EU-based companies to consider onshoring significant portions of their supply chain as a hedge against future problems,” says Ed Martins, vice president of Web’s Industrial & Consumer business unit. “As the aftershocks of Covid continue to rock the industry, these companies are seeing the importance of having reliable regional partners that can keep market channels stocked regardless of global conditions.”
After securing onshored supply chains, the next challenge for these companies is finding offshore-like cost-efficiencies from domestic suppliers. That’s where Web Industries’ unmatched converting scale, innovative slitting/spooling formats, and wide-width multi-color flexographic printing options can provide real business advantages.
“Web has some of the largest converting lines in the world, and we’ve developed highly-automated solutions for producing large format and extra-large-format spooled output,” Martins continues. “Spooled slit materials offer significant runtime advantages versus traditional slit pads, and Web’s largest spools provide nearly twice the capacity of regular spools.”
Backed by years of expertise, Web’s proprietary spooling design optimizes tension control to convert thinner, extensible and high-loft nonwovens with precision while maintaining material integrity.
For brands looking to secure their manufacturing base through onshoring, Web’s co-located converting and printing operations simplify the process of rationalizing a regionalized supply chain.
www.webindustries.com/markets/personal-home-care/
American FlexPack
American FlexPack is located in Green Bay, WI. Since 2000, the company has contract packaged single-use packettes and towelettes for a variety of brand leaders and private labelers. Customers benefit from its extensive expertise to bring the best in production, as well as total support. With 124,000 square feet housing more than 30 efficient horizontal form, fill and seal pouch machines, American FlexPack’s team of packaging experts are here to successfully launch its customers’ nonwoven towel programs.www.americanflexpack.com
Athea Laboratories
With over 55 years of experience, Athea Laboratories is the leader in wet wipe and liquid contract manufacturing and packaging. Its expertise and experience give customers an extensive variety of product formulas to serve numerous end user markets with a private labeled product. As an EPA and FDA facility, Athea’s manufacturing capabilities include custom wipe converting, custom formula development, blending services, on-site chemists, formula-substrate compatibility testing, graphics, and technical support. Athea can offer customers a turnkey solution to their private label needs at low minimums.www.athea.com
Beckmann Converting
Beckmann Converting, Inc, a toll laminator serving customers who make textile products for diverse industries and applications, is delivering ultrasonic laminating services to its customers while continually improving its technical capabilities. Investing in sophisticated machine control systems ensures the company meets demanding requirements for new products their customers are designing, including higher value niche products needed to compete in growing markets.A new low tension unwind control system enables more effective unwinding of narrower and fragile materials. Newly designed master controls are being implemented in most laminating machines to improve capabilities and user friendliness for laminating crews.
Beckmann Converting is making use of a new slitter/rewind machine that can handle materials up to 80” wide. With ongoing supply chain disruptions, various raw materials may arrive that are all at different widths. On occasion it is best to slit/trim these materials down to the same width to facilitate the laminating process. Finished laminates impacted by the thermal processes of ultrasonics may need up to a few days to return to steady state dimensions before slitting. As an alternative to inline slitting, the company can slit using a secondary operation.
The U.S.-based company converts continuous, wide web, roll-to-roll customer owned technical materials into multiple layer high performance textile composites. Ultrasonic laminating lines process raw materials up to 126 inches wide with finished product incorporating two to seven layers of nonwovens, films, knits, wovens, meshes and other materials. Beckmann Converting operates on a fully registered ISO9001:2015 Quality Management Program.
A new Laminating Sampler is being offered by the company as a supplement to the Virtual Swatchbook, a critical tool on its website. https://www.beckmannconverting.com/resources/virtual-swatchbook/
The Sampler shows each of the eight different bonding roll patterns available for use as they appear on nonwoven materials. These impactful tools are driving shorter Go To Market timetables for new products. Request a copy of the Sampler by contacting Beckmann Converting.
www.beckmannconverting.com
Corman
Corman S.p.A., the manufacturer and marketer of the Organyc brand, continues to honor its commitment to women that they should Expect Respect from Organyc products; respect for their bodies, respect for their sensitive skin, and respect for the earth on which we all live. As the only Clinically-Proven Protection offered to women in both the feminine care and adult care categories, Corman fully meets its promise to respect their sensitive skin, and their bodies, using only 100% Certified Organic cotton in the construction of its pads, liners and protective underwear.And now Organyc has gone another step in its respect for the earth. Not only does it use geothermal and solar energy to power its Milan manufacturing facility, now it is partnering with Plastics for Change (www.plasticsforchange.org) in a sustainability empowerment initiative. This partnership goes beyond a cleanup campaign, to help empower women who work to repair the earth and oceans, providing economic stability and lifting them up out of poverty. A new logo will begin appearing on packaging this month announcing this exciting action.
www.corman.it
Kleen Test Products
Kleen Test Products is a family owned, financially strong business founded in 1943. KTP is one of five subsidiaries of Meridian Industries, Inc. and is headquartered in Port Washington, WI. With five manufacturing locations in Wisconsin and two in Ohio, KTP has become a trusted production partner to CPG companies both large and small. Known for innovation and strong relationships with suppliers and technology partners, KTP consistently delivers high quality products in the Home Health, Personal Care and Home Cleaning segments.The past two+ years of working through the changes and challenges throughout the industry have been difficult and caused many businesses to reassess or even close. For Kleen Test Products, however, the pandemic has increased the focus on core business and strengthened relationships with customers through the commitment to consistently deliver high quality products to meet expectations. In order to deliver against this customer commitment, KTP has made significant investment in upgrading and automating manufacturing facilities, increasing production capacity and improving delivery and shipping logistics.
For example, at KTP’s Strasburg, OH, facility, the company has completed two major expansion projects. The first expansion was completed in May, 2021, and provides enhanced capability for bleach and peroxide products as well as adding truck docks to improve transportation logistics. The second expansion was completed earlier this year. Together, these expansions will almost triple the size of KTP’s manufacturing footprint in Strasburg and add a total of 12 new truck docks.
KTP’s continued focus on manufacturing high quality products to meet or exceed customer expectations and the long-term valued relationships with suppliers and technology partners have allowed KTP to not only survive the pandemic, but to strengthen core capabilities. As a result, the company is well positioned for growth and business success over the next several years and beyond.
www.kleentest.com
Micrex
Micrex is the developer and manufacturer of the Micrex/Microcreper family of compressive treatment machinery for nonwovens, paper, films, composites and textiles. Companies worldwide use Micrex technology to add softness, bulk, drape, absorbency, extensibility and stretch to a wide range of products.Contract Microcreping is at the core of its business. Running a wide range of materials improves Micrex’s grasp of market needs and informs its R&D. As it has no product except its technology, Micrex will never be a competitor to its contract converting customers.
Micrex performs product development through the Micrex Innovation Lab. This integrates with contract Microcreping services for those firms whose current needs do not yet require the purchase of a dedicated Micrex/Microcreper system. Micrex is prepared to support projects from initial development through large scale production. All configurations of Micrex/Microcreper are available for contract production.
No-cost lab scale screening trials are available to qualified customers. For information about this program please see: http://micrex.com/screening-trials/
www.micrex.com
National Wiper Alliance
National Wiper Alliance, a business of Ecolab Inc., is recognized as the largest private-label contract converting operator in the United States. NWA’s expansive 500,000ft² production facility safely houses over 40 converting lines, including 10 new lines. Among these new lines, four are specific to perforated rolls used with canisters or buckets. NWA has built its reputation over the years through its customer-centric focus and unparalleled service. National Wiper Alliance remains an EPA registered facility, and has recently added FDA certification. NWA is registered to ISO 9001:2015 standards. Contact sales@nationalwiper.com for inquiries.www.nationalwiper.com
Premier Care Industries
Family owned company, Premier Care Industries, Hauppauge, NY, continues to lead the industry in quality, service and innovation through its state-of-the-art manufacturing operations. Premier Care Industries has continued to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the marketplace and offers the market every capability in wet wipes to reliably meet its customers’ needs.Bill Lutz, vice president, Sales & Marketing for Premier Care states, “In 2020 and early 2021 the wet wipes industry experienced unprecedented demand for disinfecting and sanitizing wet wipes to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. The aftermath was a slowdown in the industry as the customer better understood how to deal with the pandemic and worked through their wet wipe inventories. As the marketplace normalizes, we believe Premier Care Industries is best positioned to service the needs of the marketplace as we head into 2023.”
Lutz adds, “Premier Care is excited about its growth prospects over the next 10 years with its manufacturing expertise based on core values and the highest standards. We will continue to expand our capabilities with investments in people, product development, cutting-edge technologies, and added capacities to better service our portfolio of customers and the ever-growing demand in the marketplace.”
www.precare.com
Web Industries
As the global nonwovens market works toward a post-Covid recovery, Web Industries offers Personal and Home Care (P&HC) product companies unique capabilities and capacities that ease end-product manufacturing challenges and reduce business uncertainties.“During the pandemic, worldwide logistical interruptions forced U.S. and EU-based companies to consider onshoring significant portions of their supply chain as a hedge against future problems,” says Ed Martins, vice president of Web’s Industrial & Consumer business unit. “As the aftershocks of Covid continue to rock the industry, these companies are seeing the importance of having reliable regional partners that can keep market channels stocked regardless of global conditions.”
After securing onshored supply chains, the next challenge for these companies is finding offshore-like cost-efficiencies from domestic suppliers. That’s where Web Industries’ unmatched converting scale, innovative slitting/spooling formats, and wide-width multi-color flexographic printing options can provide real business advantages.
“Web has some of the largest converting lines in the world, and we’ve developed highly-automated solutions for producing large format and extra-large-format spooled output,” Martins continues. “Spooled slit materials offer significant runtime advantages versus traditional slit pads, and Web’s largest spools provide nearly twice the capacity of regular spools.”
Backed by years of expertise, Web’s proprietary spooling design optimizes tension control to convert thinner, extensible and high-loft nonwovens with precision while maintaining material integrity.
For brands looking to secure their manufacturing base through onshoring, Web’s co-located converting and printing operations simplify the process of rationalizing a regionalized supply chain.
www.webindustries.com/markets/personal-home-care/
