WELCOME TO TECHNICAL-TEXTILES.NET, the web's most comprehensive source of information about the world of performance and technical textiles. Full membership gives access to: unique feature articles; relevant, edited and verified news; events and more, to keep you up to date with the latest developments in materials, technologies, processes, patents and research, and business and markets

Performance Nonwovens

Smaller, longer-lasting and more efficient filter media

A survey of recent patents related to nanofibres and filtration allows Adrian Wilson to share some insights into research trends among major US and European manufacturers aiming to create improved filter media.

Norafin Industries (Germany) GmbH has announced plans to build its first manufacturing plant in the USA.

Ahlstrom Corp, a leading manufacturer of nonwovens with its headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden-based Munksjö Oyj, a specialist in paper products, are to merge.

How will high-performance nonwovens transform your business?

What are high-performance applications for nonwovens and why are they proliferating? From this vast array of opportunities, how can manufacturers choose the right market for their business? Adrian Wilson describes a unique event that will provide the answers.

A new range of colour and functional additives for use in high-performance, spunbond fibres used in medical applications, such as surgical gowns and masks, sterilization bags, filtration products,

At the Hygienix personal care conference held in Orlando, Florida, USA, in October 2016, Suominen showcased its range of spunlaced nonw

Adult incontinence pads capable of monitoring for urinary tract infections (UTIs) were featured at the Hygienix personal care conference

Danish flexographic technology provider Tresu Group has developed a multicolour flexographic printing unit for applying patterns to nonwoven disposable sanitary napkins.

ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: performance nonwovens

More and more, nonwoven manufacturers are looking to make fabrics for technical applications and machinery builders are responding by developing equipment to meet their specific needs. Nick Butler reviews those about to be exhibited in Shanghai.

Italian spunmelt manufacturer Union Industries has purchased a Reicofil production line to make nonwovens for speciality hygiene applications.

Disposable diapers comprising breathable elements made of low-cost nonwoven webs with improved barrier properties are disclosed by Procter & Gamble.

Freudenberg Performance Materials has launched an open innovation competition for the development of next-generation nonwovens.

German companies Norafin Industries GmbH of Mildenau, the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration (IZM) in Berlin and the hardware and software company ESYS GmbH, also of Berlin,

A method for increasing the skin or wound compatibility of a hygiene or wound care product that includes a cellulose nonwoven fabric is disclosed by BSN Medical in US Patent 9 387 130.

Johns Manville of Denver, Colorado, USA, has announced it is making a "substantial" investment in the technology for one of its lines producing glass fibre nonwovens in Wertheim, Germany.

Following a surge in sales in the UK and Ireland, Elliott Absorbent Products is launching its Bulksorb medical absorbent pad to clinical sectors globally.

What IDEA 2016 exposed about the global nonwovens industry

Discussions and presentations made during IDEA 2016 (held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, on 2–5 May 2016) highlighted the fluctuating fortunes for players in different regions of the world and different sectors of the industry. Adrian Wilson summarizes what was said.

A survey of packaging for wet wipes reports that the industry has largely adopted voluntary guidelines for the labelling of products that require careful disposal by consumers.

Pegas Nonwovens has chosen its production plant in Znojmo-Primetice, Czech Republic, as the site for its new spunmelt line, overturning its original selection of another existing facility in 6

Pegas Nonwovens is reconsidering its decision to install a second spunmelt line at its plant in 6th of Oc

Solving problems for the performance nonwovens industry

On a recent visit to Leeds, UK, Nick Butler learned how a university spin-out is differentiating itself and the product-development services it offers, while making the best possible use of the surrounding resources on the campus.

Mogul Nonwovens of Gaziantep, Turkey, has invested in three hydroentanglement lines, two for its new plant in Luleburgaz, Turkey, and one for its new North American facility in Gray Court, South Ca

Freudenberg Performance Materials is to introduce its latest lightweight nonwovens for use in industrial wipes during the IDE

Mogul has launched a range of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nonwovens, which it will sell as part of its Elastex brand.

Nonwovens industry to convene in Boston, Massachusetts

Renovation work at its traditional home in Miami, Florida, USA, has forced the relocation of this year’s biggest event for the nonwovens industry. IDEA 2016, will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, on 2–5 May 2016. Adrian Wilson picks his highlights.

A hybrid woven fabric that is highly permeable – making it suitable for use with resin-transfer moulding (RTM) processes – has been developed by Cytec Industries Inc (now Solvay Cytec Group). 

Mogul has introduced meltblown polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) to its nonwovens portfolio for the first time.

Glatfelter has chosen Fort Smith, Arkansas, as the location for its first airlaid manufacturing facility in the USA.

Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota has chosen to soundproof its latest model – the 2016 Prius, which was launched in Japan in December 2015 – with material made using a novel nonwoven fabric.

Revolution Fibres, based in  Auckland, New Zealand, has officially become the first nanofibre producer in the world to meet aerospace industry standards and is introducing its XantuLayr product as

An intumescent mat that can be activated on demand to provide protection without needing to experience the heat of a fire will be shown for the first time at JEC World in Paris, France, on

Berry Plastics and Avintiv—the perfect combination for hygiene?

Suppliers to the absorbent hygiene products industry increasingly need global scale, argues Adrian Wilson. This need is behind the creation of the world’s largest manufacturer of nonwovens and related plastic packaging and components.

Driven by consumer demand for specific products and growing market penetration in developing economies, global demand for nonwovens will reach 11.1 Mt in 2019.

A flame-retardant (FR) spunbond fabric cover can help keep down the manufacturing costs of home furnishings and reduce the toxic gases generated in the event of a fire.

Ahlstrom is to sell its glass nonwovens and fabrics business to Owens Corning for €73 million (about US$79.5 million).

A veil made from fine glass fibres forms part of the crucial thermal insulation for a satellite launched to help monitor the heights of seas around the globe.

Big role for nonwoven filter media in manufacturing applications

Adrian Wilson surveys the applications for nonwoven filter media in the manufacturing industries – including metal fabrication, energy generation and biopharmaceuticals – and concludes that the potential is vast.

Glatfelter has announced it will invest approximately US$80 million to build a new production facility in the USA for its Advanced Airlaid Materials Business Unit. 

Strong demand for nonwovens is predicted for the next five years, according to the latest market study.

A reinforcement for roofing felts that combines the advantages of glass and polyester (PES) fibres, laid scrim and nonwovens in a single integrated material has been co-developed by two European co

More than half (52.5%) of the total sales of nonwovens in 2015 will be accounted for by those used for industrial applications, according to the latest study.

The influence of filter media on investments in nonwovens

The advantages of polyester-based nonwovens in a range of filter media are driving significant investments in production capacity and in the development of innovative materials. Adrian Wilson reports on the recent activities of the industry’s big names.

High-performance nonwovens producer Technical Fibre Products (TFP) has installed a third manufacturing line at its facility in Kendal, UK. 

Pegas Nonwovens is to install a second spunmelt production line at its plant in 6th of October City, Egypt.

Freudenberg Performance Materials has invested €3 million to install a spunlaid pilot line at its plant in Kaiserslautern, Germany, where it aims to develop innovative products and create new marke

Technical Absorbents targets superabsorbent nonwovens

Nick Butler accepted Technical Absorbents Ltd’s invitation to visit its production facilities for superabsorbent fibre, and learn more about the company’s ambitions, in particular its plans for the recently installed needlepunch nonwoven line.

A leading supplier of value-added plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials is to acquire Avintiv Inc of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, the world’s largest manufacturer of nonwovens.

Johns Manville has inaugurated a polyester (PES) spunbond production line at its facility in Berlin, Germany.

Carolina Nonwovens is to invest US$12.25 million to build a plant in Maiden, North Carolina, USA.

XXXX