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Medical and hygiene textiles

A flexible, thin-film moisture-sensor that can be incorporated into diapers has been developed by Toray of Tokyo, Japan.

An antioxidant and antibacterial nanofibre coating, which could be used to make cotton bandages that fight infection and help wounds heal quickly, is being developed by researchers at Cornell Unive

Berry Global is to spin-off the majority of its Health, Hygiene and Specialties (HH&S) segment, including its Global Nonwovens and Films business, and merge it with Glatfelter, to create a new 

A range of nonwovens made from polylactic acid (PLA) has been developed by PFNonwovens, of Prague, Czechia, using its Reifenhäuser Reicofil RF5 technology.

A chemical-resistant and breathable polyurethane (PU)-coated fabric has been developed for the production of hospital-mattress covers by Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics. 

A porous tubular textile ring that can be used to introduce sterile, particle-free air to a surgical site and can thereby reduce the occurrence of infections during operations is being developed by

Milliken & Co has changed the name of its healthcare business from Milliken Healthcare Products to Ovik Health. 

An extra-wide carding machine and opening/blending line has been started-up by Andritz Group at Albis International Srl's facility in Roasio, Italy, where it will be used to produce nonwovens for h

A range of fibres for the production of bio-based absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) are being presented at the 62nd edition of the Dornbirn Global Fibre Congress (GFC) by Kelhei

The European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA)'s Quality and Audit Programme (QAP) – a voluntary initiative for the hygiene-product industry – is now available in the USA following the

The UK Government has written to manufacturers of wet wipes to express concerns about the number of their products that are flushed down toilets in the country – 2.1–2.9 billion each year – and to

A line for the production of soft and drapeable nonwovens for the hygiene industry is being presented by Reifenhäuser Reicofil, of Troisdorf, Germany, at INDEX.  

A range of fibres for the production of bio-based absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) will be showcased at INDEX by Kelheim Fibres, of Kelheim, Germany.

A complete a wetlaid/hydroentanglement (wetlace) line from Andritz for the production of nonwoven roll goods for biodegradable, plastic-free wet wipes has been started-up by Lotus Teknik Tekstil AŞ

A wide range of adhesives for the production of nonwovens for the hygiene industry, and an online tool that provides information regarding the adhesives, will be shown by H.B. Fuller at INDEX. 

A three-layer nonwoven (Fibrella Strata) that demonstrates a good combination of strength and softness has been launched primarily for hygiene applications by Suominen of Helsinki, Finland. 

Reifenhäuser Reicofil GmbH & Co KG has sold an RF5 line for the production of spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond (SMMS) fabrics to PFNonwovens for its production facility in Cape Town, South

Essity has competed its purchases of developers and sellers of washable leakproof apparel for periods and incontinence, Modibodi and Knix Wear Inc. 

Ontex Group NV has opened a facility in Stokesdale, North Carolina, USA, for the manufacture of baby diapers. 

Essity has agreed to buy developer and seller of washable leakproof apparel for periods and incontinence, Modibodi, for AUS$140 million, and has purchased a majority shareholding in another, Knix W

A washable, re-usable diaper made from bio-based and biodegradable materials is to be launched by Sumo of Berlin, Germany. 

Re-usable and biodegradable underwear that performs the functions of tampons and panty liners (so-called period pants) has been developed by a researcher working with viscose fibres at Hof Universi

Ukrainian manufacturer of household and hygiene products, Biosphere Corp, has ordered a high-capacity hydroentanglement line from Andritz Group.

An application for mobile devices that records the key characteristics of a wound, generates an assessment and helps healthcare professionals to select the appropriate dressing for its treatment ha

Tissue paper is being produced from wheat-straw pulp on a large scale for the first time by Essity at a plant in Mannheim, Germany.

Bio-based feedstocks are being used by Nippon Shokubai Europe (NSE) NV of Antwerp, Belgium, to produce a superabsorbent polymer (SAP).

As the European Union's Single-use plastics directive (SUPD) comes into force, EDANA of Brussels, Belgium, and its member companies have committed to revise the labelling on the packaging

A biodegradable and compostable natural-fibre nonwoven has been launched for use in personal care and baby products (such as cosmetic and baby wipes) by Suominen of Helsinki, Finland.  

The Albaad Group of Massuot Yitzhak, Israel, is investing around €50 million in a line for the production of biodegradable nonwovens from natural fibres—for use in flushable wipes for a variety of

A flushable, biodegradable pregnancy test has been launched by Lia Diagnostics Inc of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA.

A wetlaid–hydroentanglement (wetlaid-spunlace, WLS) line has been installed at the factory of Spanish paper manufacturer Papel Aralar, where it is being used for the manufacture of plastic-free, bi

A test method that can be used to detect trace amounts of chemicals in such as baby diapers, sanitary products and tampons has been developed by SGS France of Arcueil and EDANA of Brussels, Belgium

Approximately 1.4 Mt of fabrics have been consumed by the global nonwoven wipes industry in 2020, according to a recent report from Smithers, which values the current market for such products at US

An adhesive that allows manufacturers of disposable hygiene products to switch confidently from synthetic to natural substrates, such as those made from cotton, has been launched by H.B.

Technologies for the recycling of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) from used disposable diapers are being developed by a trio of companies in Japan.

A process based on the use of electrical fields to drive dry powders into substrates developed by Fibroline is to be used in the development of wipes, pads and cosmetics. 

A re-usable digital sensor that can notify caregivers of when an incontinence product needs to be changed has been launched by Essity of Stockholm, Sweden. 

A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) that can absorb liquid rapidly and retain it, preventing leakage, has been developed by Nippon Shokubai of Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. 

A variety of nonwovens will be the first for the hygiene industry to be produced from certified recycled plastics, according to one of their developers, SABIC of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has revealed the three finalists for the Hygienix Innovation Award, which will be presented during the sixth edition of Hygienix

In response to increasing demand for its products from the hygiene industry, Fibertex Personal Care Group is to invest approximately €33.6 million (DKK250 million) in two production lines—a special

Technology that enables liquid to be transported quickly from the surface of a diaper has been introduced by Ontex.

Kimberly-Clark of Irving, Texas, USA, has introduced enhancements to its Silhouette and Real Fit products, part of its Depend adult incontinence range.

Nonwovens producer Takween Advanced Industries of Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, is planning to start talks with Shandong Jofo Nonwoven of Dongying, China, regarding the sale of its subsidiary, Saudi Ara

SABIC has announced it is delivering large volumes of polypropylene (PP) polymers for manufacturing nonwovens used in medical disposables, such as surgical gowns, face masks and hygiene products, i

Ontex Group is to begin operations at a new personal hygiene manufacturing plant in Rockingham County, North Carolina, USA, in mid-2021.

Johns Manville has started production of nonwoven fabric at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA, for the manufacture of disposable medical gowns that can be used to control the spread of

A company in New Zealand has launched a wool-based acquisition–distribution layer (ADL) for single-use hygiene products and woundcare products.

Aspen Surgical Products of Caledonia, Michigan, USA, a supplier of disposable surgical products, has acquired Precept Medical Products of Arden, North Carolina, USA, a manufacturer of single-use no

Greensboro, North Carolina, USA-based Burlington Barrier Fabrics has increased production of its Maxima Medical Barrier fabrics in response to the human coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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