Nonwovens

A recurring theme at the 63rd Global Fibre Congress at Dornbirn from 11–13 September was recycling and the associated circular economy. It stressed on the urgent need for everyone in the value chain, from machine manufacturers to manufacturing and retail, to find a common denominator—the only way to provide the consumer with products which are sustainable and affordable.

INDEX 23, the biggest trade event of the global nonwovens industry, came to a close on 21 April with a showcase of the latest breakthroughs and innovative developments across nonwovens’ applications.

Researchers at the University of Bayreuth in Germany have presented novel electrospun nonwovens that exhibit an unusual combination of high electrical conductivity and extremely low thermal conductivity. The nonwovens are being described as a breakthrough in materials research.

Research and development of fibres in Finland has received a boost, with Business Finland granting €1.6 million to fibre manufacturer Spinnova. The project is meant to explore possibilities of fibre utilisation in new application areas and product segments such as composites and nonwovens.

Nike has a recyclable winner on its hands. Half a decade of intense research has ensured that use of first gen material, moving away from traditional knit and woven processes, and doing away with trims has contributed to an average of 75% reduction in carbon footprint. The finished product—made with the Nike Forward process—is composed of 70% recycled content by weight.

Kelheim Fibres GmbH from Kelheim in Bavaria and the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI) in Chemnitz have been awarded the Techtextil Innovation Award in the 'New Concept' category for the development of novel, thermally bonded nonwovens based on cellulose for the production of reusable products with high absorbency.

Less than a month from now, the world of technical textiles and nonwovens as well as the processing of textile and flexible materials will finally meet again at Techtextil and Texprocess. Michael Jänecke, Director - Brand Management - Technical Textiles and Textile Processing, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, wraps up the last two years and tells texfash.com which way the industry is headed.