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 LAMINATION
A.CELLI NONWOVENS
MORE THAN
BACKSHEET
FRONTAL TAPE
MEDICAL
HOT-MELT
THERMOBONDED
IN-LINE PRINTING

Meet us at CIDPEX 2018, Nanjing - China, April 18 - 20, hall 8, booth n° 8D21
Pictures are shown for illustrative purposes only; actual products may vary due to A.Celli’s R&D activities.

flexible, reliable, high-performance,

A.Celli turnkey lamination line
The complete turnkey solution for high throughput lamination line.
Flexible line configuration including unwind stands for film and nonwo-
vens, lamination unit and in-line slitting winders with a line speed up to
800 m/min.
Thanks to the automatic mother rolls loading and shaft & core handling
system, the lamination line is capable of granting a high level of produc-
tivity. The ability to integrate printing equipment, hotmelt coating units,
thermobonding units, wrapping and labelling system complete the offer.

acelliNON0718.indd 2 7/11/18 1:40 PM

ACN pages 17-18.indd 2 09/01/18 12:50
 AUGUST 2018 • VOLUME 49 • NUMBER 8

Table of
Contents

Feature Articles
32

26 The Medical Market

Hospitals and other healthcare institutions continue to rely on single-use, nonwoven-based medical products.

32 Geotextiles Market Reprot

The use of nonwovens in civil engineering continues to grow across the globe.

40 The Rise of Industry 4.0 in the Nonwovens Industry

Suppliers are at the forefront of adopting the latest IoT framework in their equipment and machinery.

46 2018 Machinery & Equipment Review

The biggest suppliers of nonwovens and related machinery discuss their latest technologies.

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nutraceuticals world and medical products outsourcing. Printed in the U.S.A.

4 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

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 AUGUST 2018 • VOLUME 49 • NUMBER 8

Table of Editor
Contents Karen McIntyre, kmcintyre@rodmanmedia.com

Associate Editor
Tara Olivo, tolivo@rodmanmedia.com
Columns & Departments Editorial Director
Tom Branna, tbranna@rodmanmedia.com

Marketing Manager
Paul Simansky, psimansky@rodmanmedia.com
8 Editors Page
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Art Department
Tyler Natale
tnatale@rodmanmedia.com

12 Top News Contributing Editors

Gabriele Bertocchi, Susan Stansbury,
Fitesa Buys Majority Stake in CNC International Ed Homonoff, Peter Mayberry, Kin Ohmura

Editorial Advisory Board

Pricie Hannah, Phil Mango,
14 Nonwovens News Peter Mayberry, Behram Pourdeyhimi,
Essity, Renewi Form Recycling Partnership David Price,
Rob Smith, Susan Stansbury

President/Publisher
22 Capitol Comments Rodman J. Zilenziger, Jr.,
rod@rodmanmedia.com
First Miscellaneous Tarriff Bill Vetted
Executive Vice President
Matthew Montgomery,
mmontgomery@rodmanmedia.com
72 Suppliers News
Andritz To Buy Xerium Publisher
Matt Carey, mcarey@rodmanmedia.com

National Sales Managers

74 New Products Brian Barnes, bbarnes@rodmanmedia.com
Kathleen Scully, kscully@rodmanmedia.com
Gelok Launches Absorbent Core
Production Manager
Cheryl Coviello, ccoviello@ rodmanmedia.com

75 People Circulation Manager

Rich DeVoto, rdevoto@rodmanmedia.com
PF Nonwovens Announces Board Changes
Audience Development Manager
Joe DiMaulo, jdimaulo@rodmanmedia.com
76 Patents European Sales Representative
A look at recently issued patents Ria Van den Bogaert, BVBA Vandenbo
Treft 27, 1853 Strombeek-bever, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 569 8905; Fax: +32 2 569 8906
Mobile: +32 497 05 0754; ria@rodmanmedia.com
79 Calendar To renew/subscribe/update subscription information, please visit
A rundown of industry events www.nonwovens-industry.com and click on subscription services.
Or contact: circulation@rodmanmedia.com,
201-825-2552 ext. 356; Fax: 201-391-1010.

82 Company Cameo
A profile of Fibrix
INDUSTRY
A Rodman Media Publication
25 Philips Pkwy, Suite 200
69 Literature Showcase Montvale, NJ 07645 USA
Tel: 201-825-2552 | Fax: 201-391-1008
80 Classifieds E-mail: nonwovens@rodmanmedia.com
Website: www.nonwovens-industry.com
81 Ad Index

6 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

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Untitled-2 2 7/27/18 10:55 AM
 Editor’s
Page

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

W
e are living in the age of big data. People track how many steps they take per day, the
quality of their sleep, calorie intake, energy outputs—you name it. Harvesting all of this
data and then analyzing it is supposed to help you live your best life, be healthy and
happy. Whether or not it works depends on who you ask.
In the manufacturing segment, data collection and analysis has also emerged as an impor-
tant trend during the past couple of years and equipment suppliers have begun offering their
customers the opportunity to collect and catalog information. Known as Industry 4.0, the
increased use of data collection and automation in manufacturing settings is designed to help
companies make better products, reduce costs, increase energy savings and more.
Machinery suppliers throughout the nonwovens industry supply chain have been increas-
ing their focus on Industry 4.0 in recent years. Some companies have created special divisions
dedicated while others are partnering with other companies on new initiatives. It seems every-
one doing business in machinery has stepped up efforts in this area and, while the approaches
maybe be different, they all have the same goal to help customers save time and money in
developing the most quality product available.
On page 40, associate editor Tara Olivo discusses Industry 4.0 with some of the top machin-
ery suppliers to the nonwovens and hygiene markets. Not only do these efforts help create a
better product, they also take the guesswork out of manufacturing. When something works
well once, it is easy to go back in time to see what factors led to this success—and then repeat
them.
As one machinery manufacturer says, “This means that the quality will be constant and re-
petitive and will no longer depend on the human factor or external conditions and the analysis
of the data will have the objective of productive efficiency in terms of throughput, quantity of
waste, energy consumption, etc.”
While Industry 4.0 may be a recent development, machinery innovation is nothing new in
nonwovens. Manufacturers are constantly updating their offerings to cater to the needs of a
diverse and ever-changing customer base. Also in this issue, we present our annual machinery
and equipment review on page 46. Check out what some of the industry’s largest equipment
suppliers have to offer.
As always, we welcome your comments.

Karen McIntyre
Editor
kmcintyre@rodmanmedia.com

8 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

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 Index to
Companies
A listing of companies in this issue
• This index gives the starting page for a
department or feature with a significant
reference to a company. Subsidiaries
are in­dexed under their own names.
Companies found in listings, New Prod-
ucts, Patent Review and show informa-
tion are not included in this index.
A.Celli.................................40, 46
ACM Engineering...................46
Aeris Group.............................46
Ahlstrom-Munksjö...........14, 26
Albaad......................................14
Alliance Machine....................46
Andritz...................12, 40, 46, 72
Asahi Kasei..............................14
Autefa Solutions......................46
Barnhardt.................................72
Berry Global.............................32
Beta Machinery........................46
Bicma........................................72
Brückner...................................72
BST North America.................75
BST eltromat International.....46
Canalair....................................40
COMING NEXT MONTH
in the September issue...
International Top Companies Report
10 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
10 Index 0818.indd 10
Catbridge Machinery..............46
CB Packaging...........................46
Chase Machine..................46, 72
CNC International..................12
Componex...............................46
Cormatex..................................46
Dan-Web..................................46
Dell’Orco&Villani...................46
Diamond Wipes.......................14
Diatec.......................................12
Dilo Group...............................46
Domtar.....................................14
Edelmann.................................46
Essity.........................................14
Fibrix.........................................82
Fife............................................46
Filcon Fabrics...........................46
Fitesa........................................12
Fives..........................................46
Freudenberg.............................26
GDM........................................72
Godreg.....................................14
Hills Inc....................................46
Hyperion..................................46
Investkonsult Sweden............46
Jacob Holm..............................26
Kansan Machinery..................46
Kimberly-Clark.......................14
Low & Bonar...........................32
Lydall........................................12
MAGPOWR.............................46
Mann + Hummel....................14
Menges Roller.........................46
Mitsui Chemicals....................14
Mondon...................................46
NDC.........................................72
NDC Technologies..................46
Nobel Hygiene........................14
Nordson...................................46
Ontex........................................14
Optima Nonwovens...............46
Orvec........................................26
Osprey................................40, 46
Peixin........................................72
PF Nonwovens........................75
PF System................................46
Precision Custom Coatings....12
Prisma Renewable Com-
posites...............................14
Procter & Gamble...................14
Propex......................................32
Ramina.....................................46
Renewi......................................14
Sage Automotives...................14
Sonobond................................46
Southeast Nonwovens...........75
Spoolex.....................................46
Suominen.................................26
TechFab India...........................32
Technology Transfer Services.46
TECHNOplants.......................46
Teknoweb Converting......40, 46
TenCate Geosynthetics
Americas..............................32
Tenowo.....................................14
Thrace Linq..............................75
Tidland.....................................46
Tri-Dim Filter 14
Truetzschler Nonwovens........46
Tsujikawa.................................46
TWE Group..............................26
Valley Roller.............................46
Valmet.......................................40
Webex.......................................46
Xerium......................................72
8/1/18 9:35 AM
maxcessNON0818.indd 2 7/31/18 12:25 PM
 Top Of
The News

Fitesa Buys Majority Stake in CNC International

F
itesa will acquire a majority stake in CNC International, a Rayong, Thailand-based company with
two spunmelt sites in Rayong and one sales office in Tokyo, Japan. CNC, which will be known as
FitesaCNC, will focus on the hygiene market in line with the rest of the Fitesa business.
CNC’s last major investment was a 24,000-ton Reicofil 4 production line in 2013 and its current capac-
ity is thought to be about 40,000 tons per year. Owned by the CPPC Group, which falls under the um-
brella of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), the largest agriculture-based conglomerate in Thailand, CNC
was founded in 1994 when CPPC decided to diversify into nonwovens. Nonwovens production began in
1996 and a second line was added in 2001.
Originally founded as a 50/50 joint venture company between Fiberweb and CPPC, CPPC purchased
all of the shares of CNC in late 2006. At the time of this purchase, executives referred to the move as a
clear example of CPPC’s intention of having CNC grow along with its key customers in the region.
Owned by Petropar, Fitesa has spunmelt assets in North and South America as well as Europe. Until
the CNC acquistion, the company’s only Asian operation was in China where it has air through bonding
and airlaid capabilities.

Lydall Acquires Filtration Business from PCC

Lydall, Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary Lydall Performance Materials, will acquire the Precision
Filtration division of Precision Custom Coatings based in Totowa, NJ.
Precision Filtration is a long-time producer of high-quality air filtration media principally serving the
commercial and residential HVAC markets with MERV 7 – 11 products. The addition of these products
and capabilities enables Lydall to provide its customers with a full range of air filtration media from low
efficiency MERV 7 through high-performing ULPA. Additionally, this acquisition further enhances Ly-
dall’s flexibility in manufacturing, planning and logistics for its new and existing customers. Full integra-
tion into Lydall is expected by the end of 2018.
Lydall has been focused on investment in recent years. It most recently acquired German needlepunch-
er MGF Gutsche in late 2016. Previous acquisitions include Texel, a Canadian needlepuncher in July 2016,
and baghouse filtration operations of Andrew Industries in 2015.

Andritz Buys Diatec

International machinery specialist group Andritz has acquired a 70% stake in Diatec S.R.L., a leading
manufacturer of converting machines for the hygiene and food packaging industries based in Collecor-
vino, Italy. The remaining 30% will stay in the hands of the two current shareholding families.
Diatec designs and manufactures a wide range of special machines and technological solutions, mainly
for the production of baby diapers and other absorbent hygiene products, but also for food packaging.
With this acquisition, Andritz complements its product portfolio in nonwovens and is now able to offer
the complete supply and value chain—from the raw material, to webfoming, finishing, and converting—
in the hygiene market
The Diatec owners and managers, who will continue to work in the company, acknowledge that An-
dritz is the best partner to support the company’s long-term growth and – together with employees and
suppliers – to create synergies that can satisfy the demands of its customers.
Andreas Lukas, division manager for Andritz Nonwoven, says:“We are very excited about this comple-
mentary acquisition that extends our market coverage, process technology and product range within the
nonwovens industry.”
Diatec’s general manager, Luigi Mancini, comments:“With Andritz, we have found our ideal partner to
strengthen our international market position and we are looking forward to growing further within this
collaboration.” n

12 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

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 Nonwovens
News
Essity, Renewi Form Recycling Partnership
I
nternational waste-to-product com-
pany, Renewi plc and Essity, a lead-
ing hygiene and health company, are
developing an innovative solution for the
processing of used baby nappies and in-
continence materials from the care sector
and municipalities in the Netherlands.
Renewi and Essity, a producer of well-
known branded products such as TENA
and Libero, are developing a sustainable
solution to recycle nappies and incon-
tinence materials in an effort to reduce
the amount of these products sent to in-
cineration in the Netherlands each year.
Currently, about 400,000 tons of absor-
bent products, between 5-8% of residual
waste, is sent to incineration per year.
The recycling of these nappies and incon-
tinence materials would make a signifi-
cant contribution to the ambitious goals
of the Dutch government which aims to
increase recycling rates for household
waste to 75% in 2020 and to achieve a
full circular economy without any waste
by 2050.
Renewi has been working on a method
to process and recycle incontinence ma-
terials for the last few years with a focus
to recover the valuable raw materials in-
cluding a high quality cellulose fibre. Re-
newi will reuse the cellulose recovered in
the recycling process as a secondary raw
material for the chemical industry, where
cellulose is widely used.
This partnership allows Renewi to
work with one of the largest producers
of nappies and incontinence products in
the world. Essity will provide knowledge
about these products and their specific
markets. Renewi will be responsible for
the source segregation and collection of
these materials from the customer base
and the further development of a recy-
cling solution that will enable the recov-
ery of the cellulose. The focus of the part-
nership is to maximise recycling and close
the materials value chain.
Eric Segers, director Specialties in Re-
14 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
14-21 Non News 0818.indd 14
newi’s Netherlands Commercial Division
says, “We are always looking for new, in-
novative ways to process waste streams
into valuable raw materials. The amount
of nappies currently sent to incinera-
tion is not sustainable, we look forward
to working with Essity to recycle more of
these materials and achieve our ‘waste no
more’ vision.”
Godreg Sells Snuggy Brand
Godreg Consumer Products has sold its
diaper brand Snuggy to Nobel Hygiene
for an undisclosed amount, exiting the
baby care segment that it entered 15 years
ago. GCPL acquired the brand from Sho-
gun Diapers, one of three leading players
in the Indian diaper market, in 2003.
“A baby diaper is also one of the most
technologically complex products in its
price range,” says Kamal Johari, a founder
of Nobel Hygiene which is a leader in the
adult category wither its brand Friends.
“With our ability to deliver a consistent
high-quality product for over seven years
of manufacturing, we aim to leverage the
same expertise for Snuggy.”
Currently, Procter & Gamble controls
about half of the diaper market with its
Pampers brand and Unicharm’s Mamy
Poko is in second place. For Godrej, the
category has been a non-focus area for the
past decade since it began concentrating
on high margin products like household
insecticides, personal wash and hair care.
The penetration of disposable diapers
in India is less than 2%.
Nobel has been involved in the diaper
market since 2000 and also has a diaper
brand called Teddy.
Hero Wipes Acquires Rescue
Wipes
Hero Wipes, a leading innovator of prov-
en, protective wipes for first responders,
announced it has acquired Rescue Wipes,
the original decontamination wipe for
firefighters. Rescue Wipes will retain its
unique branding and is now part of the
Hero Wipes product line. The Hero Wipes
brand portfolio also includes Hero Wipes
EMS, which is formulated to reduce in-
fection risks from bloodborne pathogens.
“The acquisition of Rescue Wipes is
an exciting development for our growing
portfolio of products for first respond-
ers,” says Eve Yen, founder and CEO of
Diamond Wipes International, Inc., which
owns Hero Wipes. “We see a real oppor-
tunity to intensify the level of education
and awareness about how truly effective
on-scene decon is in fighting exposure to
cancer-causing toxins.”
Rescue Wipes’ origin dates back to 2013
when team members of the yet-to-be
formed company participated in a panel
with the Firefighter Cancer Support Net-
work studying the prevalence of cancer in
the fire service. The panel’s findings de-
termined that dermal absorption was a
leading cause of cancer. It was indeed this
stunning finding that led to the creation
of Rescue Wipes, the first on-scene decon
wipe formulated for the specific needs of
first responders.
Swedish Fem Hy Study Reveals No
Cause for Concern
A study conducted by a Swedish Chemi-
cals Agency has confirmed the safety of
feminine hygiene products. A report re-
leased this week by the Swedish Chemi-
cals Agency (KEMI) confirmed that the
risk of negative effects on health from
chemicals in menstrual products is low.
The study determined and analyzed the
chemical substances in 35 different sani-
tary towels, tampons, panty liners and
menstrual cups.
Part of the Swedish government’s as-
signment to map hazardous chemical
substances in products and articles that
are available to the general public, the
agency conducted a survey of hazardous
chemical substances in feminine hygiene
products.
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teknowebNON0818.indd 2 7/23/18 12:55 PM
 Nonwovens
News
In the survey the agency conducted
studies of literature and qualitative and
quantitative chemical analyses of 35 dif-
ferent feminine hygiene products, study-
ing what hazardous chemical substances
the products contain and in what concen-
trations. A total of 62 chemical substances
were analyzed. Among these were 21
hazardous chemical substances mainly
used in low concentrations. Reference
to “low concentrations” in this report
mean concentrations of less than 0.1% by
weight.
“In our judgement, the risk to health
from using the menstrual products and
other feminine hygiene products that we
have investigated is low. Anyone who
uses these products can continue to do
so without being concerned about nega-
tive effects on health from chemicals,”
says Amanda Rosen, an inspector at the
Swedish Chemicals Agency.
The Swedish Chemicals Agency has
not found any residues of the pesticide
glyphosate or its degradation product
AMPA in the products analyzed.
“Our conclusion on the basis of our
own analyses and earlier studies is that
there is no reason to be concerned about
glyphosate in for example tampons and
sanitary towels,” Amanda Rosen contin-
ues.
For its survey the Swedish Chemicals
Agency purchased feminine hygiene
products in Swedish shops and on the
web. In addition to sanitary towels, tam-
pons and menstrual cups, the survey in-
cluded products that are used outside of
menstruation such as panty liners and in-
continence products. The Swedish Chem-
icals Agency looked for 62 hazardous and
suspected hazardous chemical substances
in the products. Of these, 21 substances
were detected during the analyses, almost
exclusively in low concentrations. None
of the substances are prohibited in these
types of products.
P&G Reportedly Closing Nigerian
Diaper Plant
Procter & Gamble is reportedly in the
process of shuttering its multi-billion
dollar Nigerian diaper plant just one
16 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
14-21 Non News 0818.indd 16
year after it decided to enter the market
there. In June, P&G started the facil-
ity which makes diapers and feminine
hygiene items. The company has not yet
made a statement regarding the closure
but sources say that about 120 employees
are being laid off, according to a report in
Nigerian business journal Nairametrics.
The Nigerian diaper market has been
characterized by stiff competition. There
are currently more than a dozen brands
on the market including Pampers, Molfi,
Always Nice Baby, Angle, Dry Love, Hug-
gies and more. Other challenges include
government regulations and inadequate
access to raw materials.
Currently, Molfix, a brand owned by
Hayat Kimya Group, is leading the mar-
ket with a 44% marketshare while P&G
has a 36.3% share.
K-C Considering Conway Closure
Kimberly-Clark officials told the Conway
Chamber of Commerce in July that the
company is considering closing its mill
in Conway, AR as part of its 2018 Global
Restructuring Program. The program, an-
nounced in January, will save up to $550
million by 2021 and includes a 12-13%
workforce reduction and the closure of 10
manufacturing sites around the world.
K-C has two plants in Arkansas—Con-
way and another in Maumelle—which
together employ about 700 people. Local
and state officials were hopeful that these
plants would both be spared from the
restructuring program because of recent
expansion and investment initiatives. The
Conway site underwent a multi-million
dollar, three-year expansion beginning in
2010, which allowed it to make products
formerly not made in the U.S. The Mau-
melle site, which makes baby wipes, un-
derwent a $68 million expansion in 2015,
bringing its workforce to 500.
K-C plants in Fox Crossing and Neen-
hah, WI and Fullerton, CA are reportedly
among those being shut down as part of
the restructuring program.
PAI Ups Offer for Ontex
Following the rejection of its initial bid,
PAI Partners has upped its offer for diaper
maker Ontex Group NV, reportedly clear-
ing the way for it to start going over its
books. Ontex, which confirmed last week
it had rejected a takeover bid because the
cash offer significantly undervalued the
company, has now allowed PAI to start
due diligence while not being in a posi-
tion to recommend the revised proposal
of €27.50 per share.
Ontex’s largest shareholder, billionaire
Albert Frere, is in favor of the deal, ac-
cording to reports, as is its CEO Charles
Bouaziz who is recused from the dis-
cussions because he sits on the advisory
board of PAI.
Ontex has seen its share price drop sig-
nificantly in 2018 amidst increased com-
petition in its core markets, but the an-
nouncement of PAI’s counteroffer sent it
soaring 41%, more than any full-day gain
since the company started trading pub-
licly in June 2014
P&G Expected to Employ 900 at
WV Plant
According to a report in the Herald-Mail,
Procter & Gamble and companies do-
ing business with the consumer-goods
multinational are expected to eventually
employ about 1500 people at P&G’s new
Tabler Station, WV plant when it is fully
operational.
So far nearly 500 people have been
hired by P&G to work at the 458-acre
manufacturing site, including workers
transferring from other plants in North
America.
According to the report, more than 900
workers are expected to be employed at
the plant which will produce Dawn, Joy,
Gain and Ivory hand dishwashing prod-
ucts; Ivory and Gillette body washes;
Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Aussie and
Herbal Essences shampoos and condi-
tioners; Olay and Old Spice body washes;
Swiffer; and Bounce, officials said.
Companies that make packaging for
P&G products, Technimark and Logo-
plaste, are expected to hire roughly 270
people at the complex, which remains
under construction. Officials say about
70 P&G workers currently are working
at the plant, which has been producing
7/30/18 3:30 PM
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Untitled-3 2 7/24/18 1:49 PM

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 Nonwovens
News
Bounce dryer sheets since late February.
The plant is expected to be fully opera-
tional in early 2020.
Mitsui Looking to Expand in Asia
According to reports, Mitsui Chemicals,
the Japanese-based maker of spunbond
nonwovens, is eyeing several Asian coun-
tries for its next investment opportunity.
The company has recently expanded its
Japanese output with the addition of a
new line and currently has foreign opera-
tions in China and Thailand, but sources
familiar with the company say it is now
weighing its options in India, Thailand
and Indonesia.
India, with its rapidly growing diaper
market, is the more likely choice. An in-
vestment would likely add 15,000 tons
to its global capacity which is currently
115,000 tons.
Mann + Hummel Acquires U.S.
HVAC Company
The Mann+Hummel Group has entered
into a definitive agreement to acquire the
Tri-Dim Filter Corporation, a U.S.-based
air filtration company. Terms of the deal
were not disclosed. With headquarters
in Louisa, VA, Tri-Dim is the single larg-
est privately-held air filtration company
in North America. With approximately
800 employees, Tri-Dim is a provider of a
full-line of HVAC filtration products and
services, including air and liquid filtration,
heating/air conditioning supplies, clean-
room filtration, air purification equip-
ment, gas phase filtration and air testing
& remediation.
The acquisition of Tri-Dim provides
Mann + Hummel greater access to the
USA/Canadian markets of air filtration
and provides extensive growth opportu-
nities. Both companies each have deep
historical roots and share strong commit-
ments to technical leadership and cus-
tomer service.
Domtar Acquires Majority Interest
in Prisma Renewable Composites
Domtar has acquired a majority interest
in Prisma Renewable Composites, LLC,
a company focused on developing ad-
18 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
14-21 Non News 0818.indd 18
vanced materials from lignin and other
natural resources.
With its investment, Domtar will help
commercialize the process of using lignin
to make engineered plastic compounds
such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(ABS) and other high-value fiber and lig-
nin applications.
Lignin – the natural glue that holds
wood fibers together – is a byproduct of
the Kraft pulping process that has tradi-
tionally been burned to provide energy to
a mill. However, it also has the potential
to be used in a wide range of industrial
applications as a sustainable and biode-
gradable alternative to petroleum and
other fossil fuels. Domtar is a leader in
lignin separation and the development
of lignin-based materials. The company
recently installed a demonstration plant
in Ontario, Canada, to show how lignin
pellets can potentially be used as a bio-
alternative to plastic, chemicals and other
petroleum-based products.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö Expands
Beverage Business
Ahlstrom-Munksjö has reinforced its po-
sition by modernizing its production plat-
form in the beverage and casing business
through the purchase of a second-hand
Voith paper making line. The state-of-
the-art line will be dismantled and trans-
ferred to Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Chirnside,
U.K. site where the company already has
extensive knowledge in the manufactur-
ing of tea and coffee filter paper and fi-
brous meat casing materials. The benefit
of this €28 million investment will in-
crease the site’s manufacturing capacity
and production efficiency. The machine
should be fully operational in the begin-
ning of the fourth quarter of 2019.
The new production line will strength-
en product capabilities and, combined
with Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s extensive of-
fering of biodegradable and compostable
solutions, enables growth in the attrac-
tive tea and coffee markets. The invest-
ment also addresses also the constrained
capacity situation in all three segments;
coffee, tea and casing and enables the
company to respond to growing end-use
demand.
In the tea bag materials market, where
sustainable and plastic free alternatives
are driving demand, Ahlstrom-Munksjö
has a leading position with its Fiber+ of-
fering, which is a plastic-free and com-
postable solution made without oil-based
heat seal fibers. In the single-serve coffee
market, the company is a niche supplier
with a leading position in the sustainable
and compostable segment in Europe and
is making good progress on the U.S. mar-
ket.
“The investment shows our long-term
commitment and our ambition to main-
tain a leading position in coffee, tea and
casing papers. I’m also encouraged that
sustainability and plastic-free solutions
are in strong demand because it gives
us a strategic opportunity to leverage
our competence and innovation capabil-
ity, differentiate our offering of advanced
custom-made fiber based materials, and
strengthen our relationship with our cus-
tomers,”states Omar Hoek, Executive vice
president of Business Area Specialties.
Asahi Kasei to Buy Sage
Automotives
Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. has formed
a definitive agreement to sell Sage Auto-
motive Interiors to an affiliate of Asahi
Kasei Corporation. The transaction is
subject to customary closing conditions
and regulatory approvals.
Sage is a leading global supplier of spe-
cialty designed, high-performance tech-
nical textiles and microfiber suedes for
the automotive industry.
During Clearlake’s four-year owner-
ship, Sage executed on an investment
thesis focused on transforming the com-
pany into a diversified global platform. In
partnership with management, Clearlake
implemented its O.P.S. framework. Or-
ganic growth initiatives at Sage focused
on expanding the company’s product of-
fering and sales reach in Europe and Asia.
These were supplemented by successfully
executing several strategic acquisitions,
including the acquisitions of Miko S.r.l.
and Apollo S.p.A. in Italy, which enabled
the company to expand its technical ca-
7/30/18 3:30 PM
Untitled-1 2 11/14/17 9:09 AM
 Nonwovens
News
pabilities, product offerings, European
manufacturing resources and further
penetrated key OEM customers. In ad-
dition, the company invested further in
its Sage Wuhan joint venture in China to
drive more rapid growth in Asia.
The combination of these organic and
inorganic initiatives drove Sage’s sig-
nificant expansion and growth during its
partnership with Clearlake.
Under its Cs for Tomorrow 2018 medi-
um-term strategic initiative, Asahi Kasei
is focused on expanding automotive-re-
lated business as a priority in the material
sector. The company is currently working
across the sector to strengthen relation-
ships with vehicle manufacturers and
their suppliers while expanding opera-
tions globally.
Asahi Kasei supplies Lamous microfi-
ber suede to Sage, and the two companies
have a long-standing mutually beneficial
business relationship. A leader in the de-
velopment and manufacture of material
for automotive interiors, Sage holds the
No. 1 global share for vehicle seat fabric.
Sage has established a strong presence
among vehicle manufacturers and their
suppliers based on its comprehensive
proposal capabilities, advanced design
capabilities, and processing technology
related to automotive interior material.
Tenowo Expands in Mexico
Tenowo, Inc. and Tenowo GmbH, both
subsidiaries of Hoftex Group AG and
manufacturers of engineered nonwo-
vens, will expand into Mexico. The com-
pany has announced the formation of a
new addition to the company, Tenowo de
Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., which will ini-
tially include the establishment of a sales
office and warehouse in the city of San
Luis Potosí, Mexico.
The new entity is jointly owned by Te-
nowo Inc. in the U.S. and Tenowo GmbH
in Germany. It was established in re-
sponse to increased demand for Tenowo’s
automotive products in the Mexican mar-
ket and will house materials manufac-
tured both in the U.S. and Germany.
“This location provides Tenowo, Inc.
with a footprint in a fast-growing geo-
20 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
14-21 Non News 0818.indd 20
graphic part of our market and is hope-
fully the first step towards further expan-
sion. San Luis Potosí is a thriving city in
the heart of the Bajio region of Mexico
and has access to four major ports. In
addition, it is within a few hours of the
major automotive manufacturing hubs in
Mexico,” states Chris Peart, president and
CEO of Tenowo, Inc. “It is the ideal loca-
tion for our needs.”
Harald Stini, global managing direc-
tor for Tenowo comments, “Tenowo con-
tinues to have strong growth prospects
worldwide and this is part of our efforts
to capitalize on new opportunities. We
hope that this venture will enable us to
support our global customers with loca-
tions in Mexico and gain new regional
customers.”
Albaad Receives Incentives for NC
Expansion
Rockingham County and Reidsville, NC
have approved $2.3 million worth of in-
centives related to Albaads’ expansion in
North Carolina. The country will provide
a total post-performance incentive to
Albaad of $1.2 million to be paid out in
annual installments in five phases over a
12-year span. The city will pay up to $1.1
million. The company must meet invest-
ment and job requirements to each phase
to receive payments.
A multinational manufacturer of wet
wipes, Albaad will invest $45 million in
its North Carolina facility, a move that
will create 302 new jobs. Albaad has been
manufacturing goods in North Carolina
since 2004.
IDEA Award Nominations Sought
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven
Fabrics Industry and Nonwovens Indus-
try Magazine announce the opening of
nominations for the prestigious IDEA
Achievement Awards. IDEA is the tri-
ennial global event for the nonwovens
+ engineered fabrics conference and ex-
position to be held at the Miami Beach
Convention Center in Miami Beach, FL,
March 25-28, 2019.
The IDEA19 Achievement Awards hon-
or leading companies and new products
(since IDEA16) in the global engineered
fabrics industry in six categories. Nomi-
nations now open for acceptance from
the categories of equipment, roll goods,
raw materials, converted products (short-
life), and converted products (long-life),
and entrepreneur. Submission deadline is
December 13, 2018. Details on the IDEA
Achievement Awards criteria and eligi-
bility are available on: http://www.inda.
org/awards/IDEA-Achievement-Award.
html. To nominate a company please visit
https://www.nonwovens-industry.com/
idea19-achievement-awards.
IDEA2016 Achievement Award Win-
ners included; ITW Dynatec’s Ultra
Strand Coating System; BASF’s SAVIVA
SAP Technology; Jacob Holm’s SoftLite
lightweight nonwovens; WipeMeWorld’s
WipeMe flushable wipe on a roll; Impos-
sible Objects, LLC’s Composite-Based
Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) 3D
printed pieces; Mogul Nonwovens and
Diaper Recycling Technology/MobiAir.
Details on the IDEA Achievement
Award criteria and eligibility are available
on: http://www.inda.org/awards/IDEA-
Achievement-Award.html. For informa-
tion on exhibiting at IDEA2016 contact
Joe Tessari, jtessari@inda.org, 919-459-
3729 or visit: inda.org. To nominate
an IDEA19 Achievement Award visit:
https://www.nonwovens-industry.com/
idea19-achievement-awards. For ques-
tions on the IDEA Achievement Awards
contact: Deanna Lovell, Education Coor-
dinator, dlovell@inda.org.
Techtextil India to Partner with
World of Composites
Techtextil India, the international trade
fair for technical textiles and nonwovens
in India, has launched the World of Com-
posites, a special pavilion dedicated to
the composites industry from India and
around the world.
Raj Manek, executive director and
board member of MesseFrankfurt Asia
says, “While there is a great scope for the
composites industry to cater to the global
market, the most significant growth driv-
er for the trade and technology of com-
posites is the huge untapped potential of
7/30/18 3:30 PM
 the domestic market, which will gain momentum through this
platform.
The composites market is growing globally, fueled by the
increasing use of these materials in wind energy, aerospace,
automobile and defense applications. The Indian composites
market is expected to reach $2 billion by 2021 with major indus-
try growth drivers being government projects like smart cities
development, sanitation and water infrastructure development
projects and renewable energy projects.
The combination of World of Composites and Techtextil India
will offer opportunity for exploring new business ventures with
such manufacturing sectors as automobile, wind energy, aero-
space and defense, construction, marine, electrical and electron-
ics. Techtextil India 2019 will be held November 20-22, 2019 at
the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India.

K-C Launches Sustainability Report

Kimberly-Clark Corporation has reported its progress toward
achieving its Sustainability 2022 strategy to create social, envi-
ronmental and business value.
“We continue to make strides in our efforts to create positive
social and environmental change,” said Thomas J. Falk, Kimber-
ly-Clark’s chairman and CEO. “That’s why we are committed to
an ambitious set of sustainability goals that will have a lasting
impact on the people we serve around the world and the com-
munities we touch.”
Kimberly-Clark’s 2017 Global Sustainability Report outlines
the company’s strategies and results in greater detail, and is or-
ganized and presented in accordance with the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards, Core level.
Key outcomes relate to social impact, forest and fibers, waste
and recyclings, energy and climate and supply chain. :
• Social Impact –In the first two years, the lives of 4.3 mil-
lion people in need worldwide have benefited through
programs that increase access to sanitation, help children
thrive and empower women and girls.
• Forests & Fiber –Sourced 89% of the fiber used in tissue
products from environmentally preferred sources, including
FSC certified virgin fiber and recycled fiber.
• Waste & Recycling –Further increased the amount of waste
diverted from landfills (includes both manufacturing and
non-manufacturing facilities) to 95 %.
• Energy & Climate –Lowered our absolute greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions by 18 percent (from 2005 baseline)
through improved energy efficiency and increased use of
alternative energy sources.
• Supply Chain –Invested in watershed analyses, as well as
water treatment and recycling technologies, to further re-
duce our water consumption in water stressed areas.
In addition, Kimberly-Clark announced expanded program-
ming in several key areas including Scope 3 GHG emissions and
waste reduction. n

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 21

14-21 Non News 0818.indd 21 7/30/18 3:30 PM

 Capitol
Comments
First Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Vetted
Under Reform Process Stalled in Senate
Proposed legislation impacts imported goods not available from U.S. producers.
By Dawnee Giammittorio, Associate Director at The Franken Group,
LLC, a government and public affairs consulting firm based in Arlington, Virginia.
M
ore than two years ago, Congress passed legislation that
overhauled the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process,
formalizing it to create a more transparency and consis-
tency. That bipartisan bill, the American Manufacturing Competi-
tiveness Act of 2016, addressed many concerns of critics and requires
interested parties to initiate the MTB process by submitting a peti-
tion to the International Trade Commission (ITC) through an online
portal rather than by a request to the office of an individual congres-
sional member. At the time of writing, the first bill to undergo this
rigorous new process sits stalled in the Senate.
For three decades, Congress supported U.S. manufacturing by
suspending or reducing import taxes on necessary manufacturing
inputs that are not available domestically or in sufficient quantity
and therefore, must be imported from other countries. By reducing
or eliminating the tariff, the American manufacturer is able to avoid
paying a higher cost on inputs than was paid by a foreign manufac-
turer to make a competitive finished product. Supporters contend
that the MTB boosts the global competitiveness of American manu-
facturers by cutting production costs in the U.S., without harming
other domestic producers.
The previous process was less formal and often depended on a
relationship with a member of Congress who would shepherd or
sponsor the request for duty relief. To receive a waiver, companies
and industry groups submitted requests to one of their members of
Congress, who sent them to the ITC staff for review. Commission
staff then vetted the various requests to confirm the duty suspen-
sions or reductions met three key criteria: (1) no competing domestic
production existed; (2) the tariff revenue relinquished by the U.S. did
not exceed $500,000 and 3) must be capable of being administered
by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). After the ITC review, the
verified requests were packaged in an omnibus MTB for congressio-
nal approval and were typically effective for three years.
For the domestic nonwovens industry, the MTB has become in-
creasingly important. Since the 2005 closure of Liberty Fibers, the last
remaining domestic producer of rayon, American companies have ben-
efited from MTB duty relief on imported viscose rayon staple fibers. In
fact, during the last MTB process initiated in October 2016, companies
submitted 19 petitions seeking relief for viscose rayon staples fibers.
For many years, Congress routinely passed omnibus MTBs, and
until 2010, the MTB easily passed through Congress receiving strong
22 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
22-24 Cap Comments 0818rev.indd 22
bipartisan and bicameral support. In fact, the House passed the 2010
MTB, the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act (H.R. 4380), by a
vote of 378–43, and the Senate by unanimous consent. This MTB
package was estimated to support 90,000 domestic manufacturing
jobs, increase U.S. production by $4.6 billion and expand U.S. GDP
by $3.5 billion.
After House Republicans campaigned on and adopted a ban on
earmarks in 2010, some lawmakers were concerned that the MTB
process could be likened to earmarks. When MTB benefits were set
to lapse at the end of 2012, the long-established process became
embroiled in the controversy over earmarks. Proponents of the
MTB argued that the benefits were available to all importers up to
the $500,000 limit, so were not special favors to constituents, and
therefore not earmarks. Even the same House Republicans, who had
campaigned on banning earmarks in 2010, agreed that the MTB was
not one. Negative media attention and a bill sponsored by former
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) to revamp the process, however, persuaded
Senate Republicans and some Democrats to sit out the process that
year and left many companies scrambling to find sponsors for their
petitions. As a result, Congress went through the petition process
but never moved the MTB forward and allowed the benefits to ex-
pire on December 31, 2012 and remain lapsed for years. The Nation-
al Association of Manufacturers (NAM) estimated that the lapsed
duties cost businesses almost $750 million a year.
In 2016, Congress finally enacted legislation overhauling the
MTB process to address the earmark concerns. The reform law gave
the ITC and the Department of Commerce responsibility for vetting
petitions and as opposed to individual members of Congress. Un-
der the reform law, the petitions are primarily vetted to determine
whether: (1) there is any opposition from an American producer or
member of Congress; and (2) the total estimated revenue loss for
each reduction or suspension be at or less than $500,000. The law
sets out a complicated set of deadlines for notices, petition submis-
sion, public comments, preliminary reports and final reports, many
of which are submitted and viewable on an ITC website portal. The
process takes at least 10 months from the time the petition process is
launched until the ITC issues its final report. After Congress receives
the report, it must then write and pass the MTB legislation.
The ITC accepted almost 2600 petitions during the period from
Oct. 14 to Dec. 12, 2016, including, as mentioned above, nineteen for
7/30/18 2:38 PM
Untitled-1 2 5/10/18 11:52 AM
 Capitol
Comments
viscose rayon staple fibers. In August, the ITC sent its final report to
Congress with recommendations for duty suspensions and reduc-
tions. In November 2017, the Miscellaneous Tariff Act (H.B. 4318
and S. 2108) was introduced in Congress and contained ten provi-
sions for viscose rayon staple fibers.
The House passed the MTB unanimously on January 16, and the
bill has languished in the Senate ever since. Recently the Senate has
been trying to “hotline” the MTB, a process that leadership can use
to move a bill quickly, under unanimous consent, as long as there
are no objections during the hotline process. Just before the July 4
recess, the hotline process failed due to unexpected and unexplained
“holds”or objections by two Republican Senators.
Although the resident has been especially vocal on trade issues,
emphasizing domestic manufacturing and chastising companies that
move manufacturing abroad, his administration has not commented
publicly on the MTB. One could reasonably expect the President
to favor the MTB--lowering tariffs to benefit American manufactur-
ers, leveling the playing field so that they can compete, and allow-
ing them to obtain inputs not available domestically. However, the
President’s trade agenda emphasizes domestic manufacturing, and
he has not hesitated to impose tariffs to support his agenda.
While the intent of the MTB has remained the same, in practice,
the impact has changed. Critics argue that what began as a targeted
way to help U.S. manufacturers has transformed in recent years into
sprawling packages of tariff reductions that weaken domestic pro-
ducers by including finished goods. ProPublica estimates 750, and
the NAM estimates 400, of the 1662 products in the current bill are
finished goods. For comparison, the 2004 MTB contained fewer
24 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
22-24 Cap Comments 0818rev.indd 24
than 40 finished goods. Opponents of the MTB argue including
finished goods benefits retailers and importers not manufacturers,
and therefore undermines the intent of Congress. Supporters coun-
ter that the tariff waivers help companies stay in business, allow-
ing them to maintain some American manufacturing, and benefits
consumers. With stakeholders on one side arguing that American
manufacturers benefit from the inclusion, and on the other from the
exclusion, of finished goods in the MTB, until the President himself
weighs in, it is impossible to predict his position.
Further complicating any progress of the MTB or its application if
the Senate does eventually move it forward, are the ongoing “trade
wars” in which the U.S. is currently engaged. President Trump has
targeted thousands of Chinese products for additional tariffs due to
perceived trade violations. It is safe to assume there is overlap be-
tween items on the target lists and those in the MTB. Because the
fate of the MTB is uncertain, companies should be sure to monitor
opportunities to comment on the tariff target lists and apply for ex-
clusions when the chance arises.
Whatever the reason for the hold-up of the MTB in the Sen-
ate, Congress spent four years overhauling the process to make it
transparent and fair. The ITC and Commerce spent 10 months thor-
oughly vetting thousands of petitions and reviewing comments, and
now a bill unanimously passed by the House still awaits a vote in
the Senate. The NAM estimates that, since the beginning of 2018,
companies have paid almost $1 million a day in tariffs on inputs not
available in the U.S. The overhaul may have made the petition pro-
cess more transparent, but as to how and when Congress will actu-
ally pass the MTB, is still as opaque as ever. n
7/30/18 2:38 PM
Untitled-3 2 2/9/18 9:52 AM
 Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s PureArmor is a next
generation tri-laminate nonwoven that has
extremely low lint.
The Medical Market
Hospitals and other healthcare institutions continue to rely on single-use, nonwoven-based medical
products.
By Tara Olivo, Associate Editor
T
he total consumption of nonwovens in medical applica-
tions is expected to reach 351,000 tons by the end of this
year, up from 264,000 in 2012, according to research firm
Smithers Pira. Consumption is expected to rise to 427,000 tons
in 2023. The value of this market in 2018 is $1.33 billion, rising to
$1.54 billion in 2022.
Surgical drapes and gowns, wound dressings, underpads, head
and shoe covers, CSR wrap, face masks, blood filters, implanta-
bles, and even sutures and sponges can all be made with medical
nonwovens. According to Smithers Pira’s report, The Future of
Global Nonwovens to 2022, the largest single use for disposable
nonwovens in the medical market is surgical drapes and gowns;
but as the fear of infectious diseases continue to grow worldwide,
other applications, like face masks, are expected to grow rapidly.
Medical nonwovens for would care applications are also expected
to experience growth in the future.
The prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
is also driving growth for medical nonwovens. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one
in 25 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated
infection on a given day. In fact, HAIs can significantly delay
recovery, increase the cost of a hospital stay, can result in death
in some cases, while also costing healthcare institutions bil-
lions of dollars annually.
The global surgical gowns market is growing at a consider-
able rate due to the rising number of high-risk surgeries and
technological advancements in the medical field. Ahlstrom-
Munksjö anticipates the use of nonwovens to continue to
26 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
26-31 Medical Nonwovens 0818.indd 26
grow to assist with infection control, patient and healthcare
staff protection, according to Jason Beard, Platform Leader -
High Performance Medical.
“In emerging markets we often hear that doctors who are
trained abroad and educated on the benefits of single-use solu-
tions are also helping to drive growth. When they go back home,
you see adoption of these solutions that may not have been used
previously,” he says.
Jacob Holm has seen increasing pressure to reduce and ul-
timately eliminate hospital infections, but has also noted that
governments have increased their involvement in health care
budget reduction. “Our health care innovation efforts have
shifted to address these needs,” says Martin Mikkelsen, Jacob
Holm Group CEO.
From a regional point of view, Jacob Holm anticipates major
growth in South and Latin America due to changing regula-
tions and the low penetration rate of disposable material. “We
have seen an increased demand for the replacement of reusable
gowns, drapes, masks and other materials in the OR,” Mikkelsen
points out.
Globally, advanced wound care is also seeing significant
growth due to increasing prevalence of surgical wounds and ul-
cers, an aging global population, and increased demand for evi-
dence-based advanced wound care products and extended wear
materials suitable for monitoring devices, he adds.
In the medical market, Jacob Holm’s Sontara spunlace is
made without the use of binders or chemicals and is friendly to
sensitive skin. Sontara is being used for gowns, drapes, patient
8/1/18 11:08 AM
Untitled-7 2 7/23/18 12:31 PM
 and staff apparel, wound dressing, tapes and bandages includ-
ing extended wear, compression devices, orthopedics, patches
and towels.
“The strength of our nonwoven fabric from the proprietary
production process makes it resistant to wear and tear which is
critical in delicate situations,” says Mikkelsen. “The low linting,
softness, breathability and drapeability of our medical fabrics
provide maximum comfort and peace of mind for the patient and
physicians in longer-lasting critical procedures.”
Most recently, Jacob Holm added 100% sustainable fabric for
medical apparel to its product portfolio. These product options
are produced with fibers made with 100% renewable resources.
“Sustainability is important at Jacob Holm, and we are working
diligently to provide eco-friendly products to all of our segment
portfolios,” Mikkelsen says.
Also new from Jacob Holm is a stretch fabric for wound care
applications. Sontara nonwoven stretch products are breath-
able, soft and extensible. The company offers varying degrees of
stretch and recovery as well as a variety of nonwovens blends
and gauges.
For its part, Finnish nonwovens producer Suominen is wit-
nessing strong growth in Latin America where it recently invest-
ed at its plant in Paulínia, Brazil.“The investment has enabled us
to supply medical products from the plant as well,” says Marika
Mäkilä, product manager, Medical at Suominen. “We are seeing
there replacement of traditional textiles but also totally new ap-
plication areas.”
Suominen’s Fibrella product family has launched in the South
American markets in recent years, including Fibrella Wrap,
a new material for undercast paddings and cushions used in
wound care.
Other unique products under the Fibrella portfolio include Fi-
brella Zorb+, which is designed for surgical drapes and provides
rapid absorbency around drape fenestration and reduces post-
operative clean-up time. Meanwhile, the Fibrella Perf product
family is developed for wound care products where its softness,
skin-friendliness and absorbency are valued.
When it comes to the benefits of single-use nonwoven-based
medical products compared to reusables in the medical space,
Mäkilä says it is important to pay attention first to the specific
purpose of the material. The primary purpose of a nonwoven
for gowns and drapes is to create a barrier between a patient
and the healthcare professional, preventing bacteria and viruses
from spreading, keeping them both safe, she says. In wound
care, the liquid management features are the key as the material
has to be absorbent, anti-bacterial, and liquid repellent – and
soft, she adds.
“If we compare single-use nonwovens with traditional reus-
able materials in gowns and drapes, we will see that the ben-
efits of nonwovens are clear,” Mäkilä explains. “Even though the
reusable materials have evolved, studies still favor disposable
gowns and drapes as having a more solid, reliable and reproduc-
ible bacterial impermeability. With reusable gowns, these proper-
28 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
26-31 Medical Nonwovens 0818.indd 28
ties seem to fade with wetting or repeated wash. Moreover, the
single-use materials are easy-to-use, safe to dispose and also
economical solution.”
Even within nonwovens itself, the functionality and features
of medical nonwovens vary remarkably from one technology to
another. “In drapes, our Fibrella Zorb+ material is used in drape
fenestration areas thanks to its excellent properties: its absorp-
tion capacity is twice as fast as competitor’s products made of
spunbond. This way it reduces post-operative clean-up time. It is
also easily drapable and conformable, which is a great benefit for
example when compared to airlaids.”
For decades, Ahlstrom-Munksjö has been making high per-
formance medical fabrics that are used in sterile barrier systems,
drapes, gowns and facemasks. Its product folio consists of single-
use fabrics that are used in the operating room, cleanroom and
sensitive environments. Its breathable viral barrier (BVB) fabrics
have an innovative tri-laminate technology that provides breath-
able impervious protection guarding patients and health care
staff against viruses, bacteria and fluids.
One of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s newer fabrics, PureArmor, is a
next generation tri-laminate nonwoven that has extremely low
lint, making it suitable for environments that are sensitive to
particle contamination. The proprietary manufacturing process
welds bicomponent spunbond fibers together, which makes the
fabric less prone to shedding without sacrificing softness.
The barrier film layer at the center of the tri-laminate fabric is
a membrane, which has a nonporous monolithic structure that
provides an impervious barrier, thus blocking the passage of vi-
ruses, bacteria, fluids and particles. The structure of the film lets
moisture vapor to pass through, allowing the wearer to remain
comfortable while providing the highest level of protection.
“PureArmor is an evolution leveraging the insights we learned
making high performance fabrics used in the operating room. We
took that same technology and created a fabric that would be ide-
al for many applications outside the operating room,” Beard says.
PureArmor works to stop particles from being emitted into
the cleanroom—keeping them encapsulated within the apparel
made with PureArmor and not emitting them into the clean-
room, he explains. “With it being a film based tri-laminate, par-
ticles are prevented from passing through the fabric.”
According to the company, most nonwoven fabrics available for
cleanroom applications have particle filtration efficiency between
94-98%, meaning that the fabric allows hundreds of thousands of
particles to be released into the cleanroom environment in addi-
tion to potential blood borne pathogens. PureArmor’s monolithic
film design makes it impervious to particles and potential blood
borne pathogens.
“There are other film based fabrics out there that try to do this,
but most often they are non-breathable causing them to have
comfort issues,” Beard says.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö has been in the breathable viral barrier mar-
ket for surgical gowns for over 15 years, and in the third quarter of
this year, a next generation breathable viral barrier fabric will roll out.
8/1/18 11:08 AM
 Cotton-Nonwovens-Clean-8x10.75-112917.pdf 1 12/4/17 2:37 PM

cotton does clean.

Cotton believes you shouldn’t have to choose between making a better material
and making a better world. A cotton crop captures more CO2 in its soil and fiber
than is used to produce it. Removing carbon dioxide from the air we breathe?
Just another way cotton is part of a healthier and cleaner future.

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Untitled-2 2 7/11/18 1:50 PM

 Wound Care Warriors stages and complexity, energy is saved,
TWE Group’s know-how in the medi- waste avoided and the supply chain sim-
cal market is in fluid management. From plified.”
a strong pedigree in hygiene absorbent The company has also begun ISO
products, TWE has developed a portfolio 13485-compliant series production of
of wound care and padding products in laminates comprising hydrophilic PU
close cooperation with leading medical foams and hydroactive nonwovens in
device companies. the last year.
A prime category is that of pressure Freudenberg Performance Materials’ gelling fiber nonwoven Worldwide, Freudenberg is one of the
distribution and exudate absorption lay- for Advanced Wound Care can be used for minor injuries or few suppliers of materials for modern
ers in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy major post-operative wounds. wound care to manufacture both lami-
(NPWT) composites, according to Jelle nate components – PU foams and hy-
Westerterp, business unit director Hygiene & Healthcare, TWE droactive nonwovens. According to the company, this opens up the
Group. In this instance, TWE’s nonwovens help maintain constant possibility of optimally matching the two components to each other
and even negative pressure and absorb exudates, extending the or modifying them to meet specific customer requirements. “By
change intervals of the media as well as aiding the healing process. combining the foam and nonwoven components, the absorption
“At the same time, the NPWT composite structures may be made and retention of wound dressings can be significantly improved,”
thinner and more flexible, making them easier to apply as well as Heislitz says.
improving patient comfort,”Westerterp adds. Freudenberg offers its customers both MDI- and TDI-based
Meanwhile, TWE’s Exudate Management System (EMS) market foams.“The start of series production marks a further important step
encompasses a wide variety of systems, ranging from sticky plasters in the development of Freudenberg’s portfolio of modern wound
to sophisticated advanced wound dressings. TWE nonwovens may care products,”he adds.
be part of a composite structure, which effectively draws exudate Another innovation from Freudenberg is a gelling nonwoven. For
away from the wound and retains high amounts of it. “Thus, these both minor injuries or major post-operative wounds, wounds need a
laminates provide for reduced dressing frequencies, whilst promot- moist environment for an accelerated and complication-free healing
ing healing and increasing patient comfort in a cost-effective man- process, according to Freudenberg. To achieve that, wound dressings
ner,”Westerterp explains. must not only be able to absorb fluids such as exudates, but must
With conversion facilities of orthopedic and splint cast padding at also retain their stability when moist.“A gelling fiber dressing meets
dual sites, TWE can provide medical device companies with ready- this challenge,”Heislitz says.
made end product. With varying compositions of viscose and poly- The gelling fiber nonwoven for Advanced Wound Care developed
ester fibers, the padding material, its labeling and packaging may be by Freudenberg Performance Materials retains the wound exudate,
tuned to the customers’ desired specification.“All they need to do is which accelerates the healing process. In order to achieve this ef-
integrate the product in to their portfolio and organize the distribu- fect, the wound dressing combines properties that until now were
tion to care takers and clinics, along with the rest of their product seemingly incompatible. The highly-absorbent fibers have superior
range,”Westerterp says. fluid retention, and the material gels when it comes into contact with
When it comes to the market for medical nonwovens, TWE is op- exudates. The dressing maintains its excellent stability when wet and
timistic.“NPWT and advanced EMS composites are growing by 3% does not leak even when the dressing is compressed. The new dress-
to 8% p.a. due to these more sophisticated treatment options helping ing material can absorb over 20% more fluid than other dressings
patients to heal faster and reducing the overall cost of treatment,” currently available, the company says.
Westerterp notes. “Within the overall stable cast padding segment, Thanks to its high wet tensile strength, the dressing has also the
we observe a shift from traditional plaster towards splint casting. benefit of one-piece removal without tearing or disintegrating, and
Shorter treatment reduces costs and the application is less messy.” without leaving any residue in the wound bed. This good mechanical
For Freudenberg Performance Materials, new developments in- performance is due to the base material – a needlepunched staple
clude foams that have a direct coating of silicone adhesives. fiber nonwoven where the fibers are interlocked and bonded. The
These products make it easier to apply the foam dressing to the material is additionally coated with silver, which kills bacteria so that
patient and at the same time achieve a wound adhesive effect. This is the dressing also delivers antimicrobial efficacy. The risk of infection
made possible by the adhesive properties of silicone. is reduced.
“Compared to conventional transfer coatings, this patent-pend-
ing innovation gives the customer several advantages,” explains Dr. Manufacturers Depend on Nonwovens
Frank Heislitz, CEO, Freudenberg Performance Materials.“It helps in Manufacturers of end-use products continue to rely on innovation in
offering wound dressings that are much more flexible than conven- nonwovens to fuel their growth in the marketplace.
tional products and can adapt better to the wound bed. Antibacterial The U.K.-based company Orvec formed in 1976 as a manufacturer
finishes can also be more effective. In addition, by reducing process of disposable coveralls/hazard protection workwear and passenger

30 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

26-31 Medical Nonwovens 0818.indd 30 8/1/18 11:08 AM

 The Medical Market

comfort products. Thirty years later, Or- without the requirement of a second-
vec became part of the Phipps Group ary heat source. Various medical stud-
of companies specializing in passenger ies show maintaining core temperature
comfort products. In 2012, the company above 36 degrees Celsius is crucial to
launched Orvecare, which offers an ad- improving patient outcomes.
ditional range of products primarily fo- Codd says nonwovens offer several
cusing on healthcare, using knowledge benefits to single-use medical products
of nonwoven materials, single-use and over traditional textiles. For the most
recyclable products. Orvecare’s Orve+wrap is a passive warming thermal blanket. part they are recyclable, competitively
Converting a range of nonwovens priced and cost effective, they are easy
technologies, including spunbond, spunlace, SMS and SMMS, to manufacture, leading to cost-effective production costs, and
Orvecare manufactures pillows, pillow covers, curtains, sheets, they offer patient-specific, seamless/hem-less technology that im-
blankets, a recently developed hypothermia bag, as well as its own proves infection control issues.
Orve+wrap passive warming thermal blanket utilizing the very lat- They also offer a whole host of properties and advantages that
est in manufacturing techniques. are not available from traditional textile materials, including light
“All our product range has been developed with the aid of clini- weight, strength, hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and antibac-
cians to understand their requirements and produce products that terial traits.
will add operational benefits to the patient and clinician, be cost ef- Nonwoven producers continue to develop and enhance their
fective and ultimately be disposed of in a sustainable method,”says materials, Codd says, and sustainability is playing an increas-
Tony Codd, business development executive, Orvec International. ingly important part. Orvecare works with its suppliers to en-
In particular, its Orve+wrap thermal blanket is used as a pre/ sure it can utilize the latest materials together with the latest
post-operative warming blanket and as an emergency blanket. converting techniques to offer products that perform and offer
Orve+wrap proactively warms and maintains normothermia sustainable benefits. n

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 31

26-31 Medical Nonwovens 0818.indd 31 8/1/18 11:08 AM

 Low & Bonar is seeing public
investments in infrastructures
drive growth for geotextiles.
Image copyright and credit:
Low & Bonar.
Geotextiles Market Report
The use of nonwovens in civil engineering continues to grow across the globe.
By Tara Olivo, Associate Editor
V
arious infrastructure projects, along with increasing ac-
ceptance of nonwoven-based geotextiles, are some of the
factors helping drive growth for this market around the
globe. With nonwovens, the result is consistent performance and
quality, and products that retain their strength over decades.
INDA, the association of the nonwoven fabrics industry,
tracked the geotextiles market in a report, the North American
Nonwovens Industry Outlook, 2016-2021. In its reporting of the
geosynthetics category, INDA divides geosynthetics into two
markets: civil engineering and agriculture. The civil engineering
products are primarily those made from geotextiles, while the ag-
riculture products tend to be of a similar nature and nonwoven
manufacturing process as geotextiles, the association says.
According to data in the report, the geosynthetics markets in-
creased 2% annually in tonnage from 2011 through to 2016 and
1.8% annually in square meters.
Both categories have positive growth through the forecast pe-
riod, with the civil engineering market having the potential for a
significant upside. Overall, the geosynthetics market is expected
to improve slightly, increasing 2.2% annually in square meters
and 2.4% annually in tonnes, according to the report.
INDA found that public spending for projects involving geo-
synthetics in North America was mostly subdued from 2011
through 2016—with spending only increasing .05% annually
32 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
32-38 Geotextiles 0818.indd 32
during that period. Although, the more geosynthetic intensive
using categories showed solid growth as highway and street
spending increased 2.8% annually and transportation related
spending increased 3%, according to the report. Spending for
private nonresidential construction from 2011 through 2016 was
8%, driven by spending in the private power area as the gas and
oil businesses continued to add new hydraulic fracturing drilling
sites and associated infrastructure for those sites.
The report states that nonwoven geosynthetics used in non-
highway and street applications is the largest category, with the
North America civil engineering markets using 58% of the total
square meters consumed and representing 74% of the total tonnes.
Given limited public spending, nonwoven geotextiles for road
applications increased 0.7% annually, in both square meters and
tonnes, between 2011 and 2016. The growth rate for geotextiles
for highway and street applications is forecast to pick up through
the forecast period, to 2.1% annually.
Berry Global Brings Terram to North America
A veteran in the market, Typar Geosynthetics, which became part
of Berry Global during its 2015 acquisition of Avintiv, is one of the
world’s largest and leading suppliers of high-performance spe-
cialty nonwoven fabrics. According to Keith Misukanis, director
of sales and marketing, North America, Typar has products that
7/30/18 2:43 PM
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 have been in the ground for 45 years—and have retained over
70% of their strength.
Typar is made using spunbond/heat-bonded technologies and
is built with continuous strands of polypropylene. In other re-
gions of the world, including Europe and the Middle East, Berry
offers Terram, a polyethylene over polypropylene continuous
process. Following recent qualifications from U.S. transportation
groups such as the National Transportation Product Evaluation
Program (NTPEP) and American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Terram will be available
to customers in North America.
Products from both brands are used for separation, filtration/
drainage, ground stabilization, protection, erosion control, and
warning/detection applications for highways, railways, grass/
ground, landfill, coastal and waterways, pipelines, foundations
and other structures.
“Nonwovens make very repeatable processes,”says Misukanis.
“They allow water to flow, they have longevity within ground ar-
eas, and from a supply point of view, they’re efficient to move.”
Nonwovens are continually replacing aggregate and fill mate-
rials, and they help the durability of the materials, so the making
of landfills, walls, roads, and other structures will last a lot longer
than what was possible without geosynthetics, he adds.
As geosynthetics become more and more qualified, with more
experiments and research and development being conducted, the
longer roads of the future will last.“[Many of these] products were
used when roads were being designed to last for 10-20 years,”
Misukanis explains. “When we get better geosynthetics that are
involved in roads, we could potentially see roadways that are able
to last for 40 years—with less potholes, less movement, and they
will be more solid over that entire time, which saves money.”
Among Berry’s innovations in the geotextiles sector are Typar
Geocells, which utilize the strength and permeability of geotex-
tile fabric to create a three-dimensional confinement system.
The cellular design allows for configuration and adaptability to
a variety of terrains. Geocells can be used in, for example, flood
protection or even military protection, where the barrier system
provides personnel and infrastructure protection from small arms
fire right up to VBIEDs and artillery.
According to Misukanis, Berry is one of the few companies that
is providing a geotextile version of a geocell. “Most of the time
they are straight HDPE sheet material that they have to punch
holes in and they have tremendous weight. Using a geotextile,
our material is fully permeable along hills, so it works well in wa-
ter flow applications,” he explains.
The need for cleaner water has led to the development of large
geocells that are purifying water off of these sites.“By incorporat-
ing the larger geocells, there is a reduction in the turbidity of site
runoff as opposed to sock materials that can be found on sites
or the silt fence. Often times, those types of products basically
become a dam and have little to do with cleaning of the water,”
Misukanis says.“What we’ve done with our Typar Geocells is they
work to clean the water. Several jurisdictions are pushing for this
34 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
32-38 Geotextiles 0818.indd 34
instead of just putting a silt fence to control since they actually
want to clean the water and remove turbidity.”
Another recent development from Berry is its Salt Barrier Geo-
composite. This product was developed to preserve the viability of
the upper layers of soil for use in landscaping and planting proj-
ects. Traditionally, in regions with saline groundwater, planting is
difficult due to the inability to restrict the rise of saline water into
the plant roots. With the salt barrier, saline water is drained and
only nonsaline water reaches the plant roots.
Meanwhile, Berry’s Rail Geosynthetics, which have been
popular in Europe, are now approved for the U.S. One of its lat-
est products is the Terram Hydrotex Trackbed Separator for Clay
Pumping. The nonwoven composite consists of a central filter
media thermally bonded to two opposing needlepunched non-
wovens (robust filters) to create a geocomposite with sufficient
strength and protection to be durable to the abrasion and point
loading of ballast. The traditional use of a sand blanket in railway
trackbed uses a sub-ballast and/or a graded-sand layer to prevent
the upward movement of fine sub-grade particles, while allow-
ing effective drainage and dissipation of water pressure. Terram
Hydrotex offers this solution in one geocomposite. “This helps
to stabilize rail beds by a very specific application of materials,”
Misukanis says.
Low & Bonar is Optimistic
Low & Bonar offers a range of needlepunched nonwoven geotex-
tiles including both thermally treated and non-treated material in
black and natural white color. All geotextiles are made from virgin
polypropylene resin and are used in several applications includ-
ing separation, filtration, drainage, protection and erosion control.
According to Sebastien Verbrugghe, Low & Bonar’s regional
sales manager Civil Engineering Solutions for Southern Europe,
Africa, LATAM & APAC, these functions are key for infrastruc-
tures constructions (road, railway, airport, harbor, tunnel), hy-
draulics and coastal works (marine protection, land reclamation,
canals, ponds) and environmental projects (landfill, windmills,
mining, dewatering).
There are many benefits of using geosynthetics over traditional
solutions for building and civil engineering projects, accord-
ing to Verbrugghe. “Traditional solutions usually involve natural
material. By using geosynthetics, you benefit from manufac-
tured products with consistent performance, quality controlled.
Furthermore, solutions are tailor made and provide low carbon
footprint by requesting less lands, lower needs in transports and
lower energy consumption,” he explains.
Driving demand in this market are public investments in infra-
structures, as well as industries such as mining and waste man-
agement. The advantages of geosynthetics over traditional mate-
rials are becoming more and more valued by designers, leading
to higher use of geotextiles, according to Kenny De Wolf, product
manager Civil Engineering at Low & Bonar.
In particular, the company expects to see strong market growth
in the Asia Pacific, Latin America and NAFTA regions, while Eu-
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wipesNON0218.indd 2 3/29/18 1:31 PM
 rope is expected to remain steady, but with some higher growth
in the Eastern part of the continent. Africa, on the other hand,
remains unpredictable, according to Verbrugghe.
“These geographical differences in investments will lead to
regions where the demand surpasses the supply, whereas other
regions might be faced with a supply that surpasses the demand,”
De Wolf explains.
Low & Bonar has responded to market growth around the
world by investing in a new line as well as adding some other
new capabilities. At the end of 2016, the company finalized new
line implementation at its Hungarian production plant. “This
state-of-the-art line provides the most up-to-date technologies
in terms of needlepunching,” Verbrugghe says. “This new tool
provides to Low & Bonar opportunities in term of volumes, but
also applications as the new line allows productions of nonwo-
vens with weight up to 1500 g/sqm and width up to 6.50 m.”
Low & Bonar has also extended its capabilities at its Belgian
plant to improve its offering in custom made and semi-finished
product, next to its standard geotextile range, De Wolf adds.
Propex Offers a Range of Nonwoven Geotextiles
Chattanooga, TN-based Propex continues to grow its line of non-
woven geotextiles under its GeoSolutions portfolio.
Its Geotex Nonwovens product line is engineered to support
roadways and infrastructure projects. Within this line are prod-
ucts that provide separation and stabilization, subsurface drain-
age, filtration and cushioning. “Using nonwoven geotextiles in
transportation projects will save cost and installation time while
increasing the overall service life of the project and decreasing
future maintenance costs,” says Noah Nichols, executive director
– Marketing & Product Development, Propex.
One of the most common uses of Geotex is to provide separa-
tion and stabilization for paved an unpaved roads, which is done
by placing the geotextile between the subgrade soil and base ag-
gregate, according to Nichols. “When a nonwoven geotextile is
used to stabilize a road, less aggregate is required during con-
struction, saving up to $50,000 per lane mile,” he adds. “It can
also double the road’s performance life and cut back on future
maintenance for issues like cracks, rutting and potholes.”
Another innovation from Propex is Petromat, a geotextile pav-
ing fabric that provides protection against moisture and reflective
cracking while increasing stress absorption beneath any flexible
pavement.
Meanwhile, Reflectex is a solar reflective concrete pavement
interlayer geotextile that reduces surface temperature during in-
stallation and provides stress absorption resulting in an 8-10%
reduction of early cracking.
On the new product front, the company recently launched
Geotex DND Orange, a demarcation fabric that signals excava-
tors from further digging in areas that may have hazards such as
buried contaminants, piping, cables or other dangers. The fabric
is bright orange and has Danger Do Not Dig/Peligor No Excavar
printed on it.“While demarcation fabrics are not new, the practice
36 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
32-38 Geotextiles 0818.indd 36
This year Propex launched Geotex DND Orange, a demarcation fabric that
signals excavators from further digging in areas that may have hazards.
of printing directly on the fabric is new,” Nichols points out.“Past
installations required printed tape to be applied to the geotextile,
which added extra cost and time.”
In the next few months, the company plans to release new
nonwoven technologies specific to the paving industry.
Several factors are helping drive growth in the North American
market, according to Nichols. First, in the U.S., the passing of the
Federal Highway Administration’s Fixing America’s Surface Trans-
portation (FAST) Act in 2015 increased the Federal budget by 20%
annually for infrastructure spending, launching widespread road-
way improvement initiatives throughout the U.S. “In addition to
increased funding, the FAST Act encourages the use of durable,
resilient and sustainable materials and practices, including the use
of geosynthetics and other innovative technologies,”he says.
Other positive factors helping drive growth, he adds, are in-
creased construction spending, new regulations for the disposal
of coal ash, and the revitalization of oil and gas produced in
North America, specifically fracking in the U.S.
TechFab India Offers New Composite for Drainage
Founded in 2003, TechFab India manufactures a wide range of
geosynthetic products at facilities in Silvassa and Daman.
Among its nonwoven-based geotextile products are staple fiber
needlepunched nonwovens under its TechGeo line, which include
its N-Range with tensile strength 6.5 kN/m to 20.5 kN/m, and
the H-Range with tensile strength 24 kN/m to 75 kN/m, where
TechFab India has an in-house line of PP staple fiber production,
which ensures the consistent quality of the final products. These
geotextiles are used for separation, filtration, drainage and other
applications. TechFab India also offers Geobags with nonwovens
for erosion protection and river bank/coastal protection work.
Its latest product, a drainage composite called TechDrain used
for drainage in pavement and retaining structures, was launched
in the last year. It is a combination of a geonet and nonwoven
geotextile. The geotextile used here is either needlepunched or a
thermally bonded nonwoven geotextile, and the net/core used in
between the two geotextiles or the one side geotextile is made up
of high density polyethylene (HDPE).
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One of Techfab India’s newest geotextile products is a drainage composite.
“When a geotextile is used on one or both sides of a geonet,
the separation and filtration functions are always satisfied, but
the drainage function is vastly improved in comparison to only
geotextiles,”says Manish Barot, head – Technical Sales & Business
Development, TechFab India.
In general, nonwoven fabrics are a dynamic, value-added al-
ternative to traditional materials. “With nonwoven technology,
fabrics can be designed to take on an array of characteristics that
other materials simply cannot match,” he adds.
These advantages include greater strength per basis weight than
competing fabrics, high levels of uniformity, form holding in the
Z direction, high tear and tensile strength, dimensional stability,
consistency in high temperature applications, application-specific
engineering and ability to form composites for advanced perfor-
mance, Barot says.
In India, infrastructure developments are at their highest peak
at present since the country’s new government came in power, he
says. As such, major projects are underway for highways, coastal
highways, railways, port development, coastal and river training
works, and solid waste management.
“During such developments, so many problems are also asso-
ciated with the infrastructure constructions such as alignment of
roads and railways through problematic ground conditions, scar-
city of natural resources (stone, sands, gravel, etc.), and drainage
issues,” Barot says.
In his opinion, advanced applications need to be adopted by
government authorities. “As a result, the last couple of years have
seen various geosynthetic applications grow slowly, but will con-
tinue to grow day by day. The prominent manufacturing indus-
tries—like us—are putting in a lot of effort to educate the client,
consultants and contractors, giving them examples and showing
case studies from developed countries like the U.S., U.K., and in
Europe where these applications are used and still in practice. We
believe that this will definitely give good results in the future for
growth of the geosynthetic industry in India.”
While the company does expect stronger growth in the future,
38 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
32-38 Geotextiles 0818.indd 38
India’s installed manufacturing capacity is in excess compared to
the demand.“Until the regulatory authorities make this mandatory
to use in infrastructure development, there will remain significant
overcapacity of production,”he explains.
And, in spite of the Indian government authorities trying
to convey the advantages of these products, the sales of virgin
polymer nonwoven geotextiles are next to nil in India, he adds.
“The complete market has been taken by recycled polyester
nonwoven fabrics, which are sold in weight basis and not on
performance basis. This has happened due to weak implementa-
tion of specification standards as prescribed in the tenders and
large-scale corruption by unscrupulous manufacturers in order
to get orders,” he stresses.
TenCate Geosynthetics Americas Sees Growth
TenCate Geosynthetics Americas manufactures needlepunched
nonwoven geotextiles in Pendergrass, GA. The majority of the
nonwovens produced are used in civil and environmental engi-
neering applications, which require one or more of these func-
tions: separation between dissimilar soil/aggregate materials,
filtration and drainage.
TenCate Geosynthetics Americas’ geotextiles used for sepa-
ration are used in between subgrade soils and stone base
in paved and unpaved roads, rail ballast and other working
platforms.“There is an engineering adage: ‘If you place 10 lbs. of
stone on 10 lbs. of mud, you’ll end up with 20 lbs. of mud,’” says
Rene Laprade, technical marketing manager, TenCate Geosyn-
thetics Americas.“Nonwoven geotextiles prevent this intermixing
of dissimilar materials from taking place.”
Filtration, meanwhile, involves the movement of liquid through
the geotextile itself while, at the same time, retaining the soil on
its upstream side, Laprade explains. “This prevents soil loss and
piping that could destabilize the structure.”
The company’s nonwoven geotextiles for drainage are placed
in such a way as to transmit liquid within the plane of their struc-
ture to provide a drainage function.
“Nonwoven geotextiles allow civil and environmental projects
to be constructed far more economically due to the reduced use of
valuable natural resources (sand, granular materials). Significant
economies in materials and construction time can be achieved
with the proper use of these synthetic materials,” Laprade says.
TenCate continuously invests in the latest technology to pro-
duce high quality products. As a result, the company recently
completed a major upgrade to expand capacity.
From TenCate’s point of view, the global nonwoven geo-
synthetics market continues to grow largely due to increased
understanding of the benefits these products offer coupled
with rebounding global economies that are generating more
tax revenues leading to more transportation related spending.
Recent restructuring in the domestic market has caused a
tightening on the supply side, according to Todd Anderson, VP
of Sales & Marketing, but major manufacturers, like TenCate, are
investing millions in this growing market. n
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Untitled-3 2 6/19/18 9:41 AM
 The RISE of Industry 4.0
in the Nonwovens Industry
Suppliers are at the forefront of adopting the latest IoT framework in their equipment and machinery.
By Tara Olivo, Associate Editor
I
ndustry 4.0 has been a hot topic among nonwovens machinery
and equipment suppliers over the last several years. Large-scale
M2M (machine-to-machine) technologies and IoT (Internet of
Things) operations are helping manufacturers offer increased au-
tomation, as well as improved monitoring and communication.
With Industry 4.0, machines in factories the world over are able to
quickly analyze and communicate with each other and with em-
ployees and customers.
“One of the primary benefits of early-stage Industry 4.0 is that
it provides customers with the real-time information needed to
make better decisions in critical business areas such as reducing
operating costs, boosting productivity, and improving equipment
reliability,” says Todd Dietz, general manager of Osprey Corpora-
tion, a leader in process air filtration and recycling systems for the
soft disposables industry.
Customers can receive this information through push notifica-
tions, which alert them to equipment issues as they start to hap-
pen, so they experience less downtime and reduced maintenance
costs. Also, Dietz adds, data analytics enable customers to operate
the equipment more efficiently than before, and with increased
productivity.
Osprey started to design its Industry 4.0 solution, OspreyCON-
NECT, in late 2015 and implemented the first version of it in April
2016. Several years before the launch of OspreyCONNECT, it was
already using remote maintenance services to allow its techni-
cians in Atlanta, GA, to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment in
the field around the world.“Our equipment was already equipped
with several sensors, but the information from the sensors was
only being viewed and acted on when there was a known prob-
lem,” Dietz explains. “We realized that we could better serve our
customers by building a platform that would take the sensor data
and operating information from the machine, analyze it, and pres-
ent it to the customer in a meaningful way. When we first started,
there were not many companies in our industry doing what we
were trying to do. We searched out as many IoT companies as we
could find, and were able to discuss strategies with a few different
machine manufacturers that were also in the early stages of IoT
implementation.”
Most of Osprey’s early decisions were based on internal brain-
storming sessions and preliminary discussions with its custom-
ers to determine what would provide the most value. Since data
storage and security are big hurdles for any IoT solution, Osprey
partnered with a cloud-based software company that was already
established in this area.
Osprey’s machinery already included an industrial router solu-
40 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
40-45 Industry 4.0 0818.indd 40
tion that allowed it to connect to the cloud, but in the process of
increasing its capabilities in regard to the Industry 4.0 concept, its
first step was to increase the number of sensors and the sensor
technology to better capture all aspects of the machine operation
to allow for better analytics, Dietz says.
“For example, energy consumption is a big concern for our cus-
tomers, so we added power (energy) monitoring devices that allow
us to track energy usage and correlate energy usage to different
operating conditions,” he explains.“We have recently added provi-
sions for a ‘virtual mentor.’ This feature allows the Atlanta based
staff to see what the field technician is seeing, and to send required
documentation or information directly to the technician through a
headset. We are also testing an augmented reality solution to assist
with the maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) of our equip-
ment.”
Meanwhile, Italian machinery specialist A.Celli’s attitude has
always been to look ahead, beyond the state of the art, on the hori-
zon of an approach devoted to innovation, evolution and automa-
tion in the most extreme sense of the term, according to Francesco
Vergentini, chief operations officer, A.Celli Nonwovens.
In 2016, the company decided to organize a division dedicated
to the development of systems oriented towards Industry 4.0 by
setting up Extreme Automation. Based on a “think out of the box”
vision, A.Celli was able to create a“rich”environment that allows it
to freely develop innovative solutions according to a new perspec-
tive that goes beyond the patterns of everyday business.
“Rich with ideas, visions and challenges. Rich in resources,
young people, graduates, specialized in big data analysis, IT infra-
structure, machine learning and artificial intelligence, having the
opportunity to belong to a relevant area from an academic point of
view [by] being able to boast valuable collaborations with associa-
tions of specialists, polytechnics and universities,”Vergentini says.
The work of A.Celli and Extreme Automation, focused mainly
on smart management of the data acquired during the production
phase, seeks to be a contribution towards improving the quality of
the final product.
“With the information acquired from the machines, the new
business model seeks to improve the main features set by the mar-
ket, such as the profile, shape and the properties of the reels,” he
explains.
Another important aspect that A.Celli aims to effectively man-
age is the concept of repeatability, in terms of production efficiency
and results. “This means that the quality will be constant and re-
petitive and will no longer depend on the human factor or external
conditions and the analysis of the data will have the objective of
8/1/18 10:08 AM

In 2016, A.Celli organized a division dedicated to the development of
systems oriented towards Industry 4.0.
productive efficiency in terms of through-
put, quantity of waste, energy consump-
tion, etc.,”Vergentini adds.
A.Celli’s first two plants designed and
built thanks to Industry 4.0 implementa-
tion are scheduled for delivery in the first
quarter of 2019.
“These orders, currently in beta testing
in our laboratories, are our concrete oppor-
tunity of offering solutions and strategies
for personalized and high efficiency pro-
duction,”Vergentini says.
Specifically, the company plans to im-
plement machine-learning technologies
aimed at predictive maintenance and in
favor of optimizing the machine’s working
parameters. These specific developments
are combined with other solutions, high
digitization and connectivity, which will be
activated very shortly, according to Vergen-
tini.
Meanwhile, nonwovens machinery ex-
pert Andritz completed its first OPP (Op-
timization of Process Control) contract,
which was its first IIoT solution for indus-
trial applications—a system to optimize
equipment and plants in the pulp and pa-
per industry—in 2007, and has continued
to improve its OPP technology further ever
since then on the basis of customer experi-
ence.
The OPP system detects any anomalies
and deviations in pulp and paper produc-
tion by analyzing production data. Sheet
breaks or other adverse effects on produc-
tion can thus be predicted at an early stage.
As a result, countermeasures can be imple-
mented in good time, guaranteeing reliable
production and also optimizing operations,
including the use of resources. Now An-
dritz has developed OPP further for use in
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 41
40-45 Industry 4.0 0818.indd 41
The Rise of Industry 4.0
Serving the
Nonwovens Industry
as a major source for
modern nonwovens plants
and the components
to keep them producing.
These are the companies
we represent:
AstenJohnson
Advanced Fabrics
other business areas, like the nonwovens Brückner Textile Technologies
sector, and is offering solutions for differ-
ent branches of industry. The technologies DM&E Corp.
used are adapted to the requirements and
needs of each individual customer. Enka Tecnica GmbH
“The Nonwoven Division at Andritz is
gaining extensive know-how in the field filtertechnik.Europe
of IIoT with the support of the dedicated GmbH & Co. KG
Andritz department for OPP,”says Andreas
Lukas, senior vice president and division Hastem Transportbänder
manager of Andritz Nonwoven. “An inter- GmbH
nal Andritz Nonwoven organization has
been created with a pool of experts for IIoT Idrosistem srl
and will be extended with further resources
to meet all customer requirements. More-
Mahlo America, Inc.
over, we are focusing on continuous devel-
Mozart AG
opment and improvement of some instal-
lations using this technology.”
Reifenhäuser REICOFIL®
According to Lukas, companies have GmbH & Co
high expectations of the greater plant ef-
ficiency and increased profitability that can Saurer Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
be gained by networking machines and ap- Engineered Bearing Solutions
plying such technologies as smart sensors,
big data analytics, and visualization using Schill & Seilacher GmbH
augmented reality. Andritz has pooled its
many years of experience and developed Sikoplast GmbH
attractive overall solutions for existing and
new plants, marketed and sold under a SPOOLEX SAS
new umbrella technology brand: Metris.
Also, the Andritz Nonwoven technical Tokuden Co., Ltd.
centers in France and Germany are fully
involved in Andritz’s digital activities and UNGRICHT Roller +
will be upgraded with IIoT equipment, like Engraving Technology®
smart sensors for data analysis and process
monitoring, in order to have the right digi- Zentes Unitex GmbH
tal solutions for their customers’ needs.
For more information on
“For example, the Andritz neXtrend
these companies and
monitoring system for nonwoven calen-
their products visit:
ders is well prepared for Industry 4.0 and
www.fi-tech.com
will be a part of the overall Metris brand,”
sales@fi-tech.com
Lukas explains. “Customers can monitor
8/1/18 10:08 AM
 Andritz has pooled its many years of experience and developed solutions for
existing and new plants, marketed and sold under the Metris brand.
conditions in their machines and equipment and prepare their
maintenance schedule in advance thanks to smart sensors. Con-
tinuous and constant monitoring ensures top quality by means of
automation, and excellent process transparency is guaranteed.”
With the Metris products and solutions, Andritz provides its cus-
tomers with solutions that fully meet their digital challenges. The
use of Andritz IIoT solutions avoids unforeseen shutdowns and
damage, while improving the plant’s overall availability. When the
operating components are used for the maximum period possible,
much less spare parts need to be kept in stock. With its remote
support service, Andritz can provide comprehensive advice on
customers’ equipment. This predictive maintenance forecasts the
probability of future functional issues and displays where they will
occur.
For Valmet, a global developer and supplier of technologies, au-
tomation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries,
the implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts has been evolution-
ary.“We can say that Valmet has been involved with this evolution
since the digitalization of analog devices began in the 60s and into
the 70s,” says Seyhan Nuyan, director - Automation Applications
& Sales, Valmet.
Valmet advanced digitalization of its technology very quickly, so
that by the mid 1970s it had most of its products digitized. At the
same time, new designs were also taking advantage of the digital
world during that decade.
“Since digitalization first started, Valmet has been collecting
and analyzing data, taking advantage of innovative techniques to
provide information to users for better decision making, trouble-
shooting, alerting, managing assets, benchmarking and optimizing
operation of their processes, and as the communication industry
began developing more advanced tools, we began to offer the
above as remote services,”Nuyan adds.
Valmet Industrial Internet capabilities rely on four building
blocks: Process technology, automation and IT platform, applica-
tions and services, and an ecosystem of partners.
42 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
40-45 Industry 4.0 0818.indd 42
Valmet’s experience with digitalization of
analog devices began back in the 1960s and 1970s.
Its intelligent process technology is equipped with sensors and
measurement devices that gather important data from machines
and processes. Valmet’s automation system provides a solid data
source. Combining this with data from other mill and plant sys-
tems, creates an enormous amount of data. “Based on our know-
how in process technology, automation and services, Valmet ex-
perts can identify which data is relevant to analyze and how it can
be utilized. This know-how is built into our Industrial Internet ap-
plications and services,” says Jari Almi, director - Industrial Inter-
net, Valmet.
Valmet’s Industrial Internet, which provides advanced and net-
worked real-time data analytics and utilization, impacts all stages
of the production process and benefits the whole business. It en-
hances asset management and increases user value by making
both process and operations more effective. Increased productivity,
lower energy and raw material costs, and overall machine efficien-
cy improvement through preventive maintenance are some of the
measurable benefits as a result, Almi explains.
Available to its customers is asset reliability optimization, which
includes online monitoring, predictive and prescriptive diagnostics
as well as data analysis to improve mill and plant efficiency, to help
plan timely maintenance, and to prevent unplanned shutdowns.
Meanwhile, operations performance optimization concentrates on
integrating data from different systems together with production
data to optimize mill and plant operations. It also includes opti-
mization services for individual processes and the whole machine
fleet.
“Through access to Valmet experts for problem-solving and pro-
cess development, our customers expect to better allocate their
own resources for running the daily operations,”Almi says.
Teknoweb Converting, which provides manufacturing solu-
tions for the wet wipes industry, began implementing Industry 4.0
framework many years ago, according to Guido Conio, chief com-
mercial officer.
Initially, Teknoweb’s platform was based on data exchange to al-
8/1/18 10:08 AM
 The Rise of Industry 4.0

low machines interoperability (exchange data between machines

and enterprise systems) and remote assistance (to maintain ma-
chines remotely). But last year Teknoweb used its experience in the
Industry 4.0 concept to launch The Connected Wipes tool.
Teknoweb’s The Connected Wipes project is based on custom-
ization for the wet wipes world of IoT framework, such as ma-
chines, devices, sensors and people that connect and communicate
with each other wirelessly and continuously; cloud technology,
where all data collected from machines are stored and analyzed
in order to be viewed and used from virtually anywhere and by a
typical smart unit such as a PC, tablet or phone; and data analyt-
ics technology such as the capability of turning gathered data into
actionable information.
“All technologies converge in a real and full Manufacture Execu- Teknoweb Converting used its experience in the Industry 4.0 concept to
tion System (MES),”Conio says. launch The Connected Wipes tool last year.
In general, The Connected Wipes tool is able to boost its cus-
tomers Return on Investment (ROI) gaining continuous improve- such as through sensors and analytics, will help enhance product
ments leveraging their own real time data, Conio claims.“It has the safety and compliance. The tool also helps customers automate
power to turn wealth of business and production data into manu- manual processes by enforcing standardized work flows to im-
facturing intelligence beyond a simple data collector system.” prove productivity, maximize quality, and lower variability and
Specifically, The Connected Wipes tool is able to analyze asset production costs. Another beneficial aspect is the ability to moni-
optimization to make sure a customer is operating at peak perfor- tor employee capabilities to help properly qualify people to what
mance and maximize uptime. Also, by digitizing quality control, is required and when it is necessary. Finally, implementing track-

Intknife
in every IT-75100 IT-76127

slitting
转接座/Transfer Joint IT-90360

looking for
distributors worldwide
持刀架/Holder Rcak

IT-140

泽 积 ( 上 海 ) 实 业 有 限 公 司
IT-150

IT-200

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 43

40-45 Industry 4.0 0818.indd 43 8/1/18 10:08 AM

 and-trace processes help comply with new regulations and meet a
growing public search for greater product transparency.
Meanwhile, the Italian company Canalair Air Systems, which
has 25 years of experience in engineering, production, installation
and start-up of industrial aerotextile systems, began working with
Industry 4.0 concepts approximately three years ago. “By now, we
have a quite consolidated system, which can be applied on dif-
ferent production processes,” says Maurizio Braga, CMO – global
sales director.
Specific technologies offered from Canalair include production
process control, electrical consumptions control and thermal sav-
ing.
“Our application allows [customers] to archive the data regis-
tered by the system, and create an historical archive of the produc-
tion process,” Braga explains.
Another benefit for customers is the fact that it’s possible to co-
operate with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), with the aim
to certificate the energy recovery system and obtain an important
economic recovery through the issue of TEE certificates (Energy Ef-
ficiency Certificates).
“[Overall], our application allows [customers] to control the dif-
ferent production processes, with the aim to optimize costs and
reduce the investment payback,”he says.
Challenges
While the Industrial Internet and the IoT offer companies an oppor-
tunity to boost their existing business and create new business mod-
els, Valmet’s Almi admits that the fact that companies don’t know
how to get started with implementation remains a challenge.
As a solution, Valmet Performance Centers are an easy-access
channel for its customers of Industrial Internet applications and
remote services. Performance Centers make Valmet’s expertise eas-
ily available for customers through remote connections and tools.
“Valmet’s specialists have a deep understanding of machinery, pro-
cesses and automation. By bringing all this expertise and experience
together and making it accessible through a Performance Center,
Valmet can offer the needed help and guidance to our customers
without delay – and more broadly than before,”Almi says.
Osprey acknowledges that there can be a significant investment
required to create and implement an Industry 4.0 solution, and there
is not always a clear path to monetize the solution. “In our indus-
try, companies must be willing to invest in their solution as a value-
added feature, and be willing to prove that it creates value before
attempting to charge the customer for it,”Dietz says.
Also, many customers have IT concerns over cloud-based IoT
platforms, so a company must develop a solution with proven data
security that will be accepted by the market.
“Another challenge is that there is not an accepted digital stan-
dard for companies to follow yet, so significant work is required to
determine the path forward,”Dietz says.
To stay ahead of any issues that may arise, Osprey continually
works directly with the IT departments of its customers to demon-
strate how their system works, and to discuss the security features
44 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
40-45 Industry 4.0 0818.indd 44
that they need in order to feel comfortable with the solution. It has
also designed the system so that certain features will work even if
the customer is not able to give its equipment access to the network.
Potential Impacts
From Osprey’s point of view, the nonwovens industry is still at the
very early stages of adoption of Industry 4.0, and does not think
that it has had a significant impact to the economy or jobs yet. In
the short term, it expects the transition to Industry 4.0 will cre-
ate new jobs in the area of “digitalization” positions in companies
as they design and implement more IoT solutions. “It could be a
few, or several, more years before the industry shifts to the later
stages of adoption,” Dietz says. “When this does start to happen,
we would expect to see more and more jobs shift from traditional
production roles into the new roles which have been created in
the areas of robotics, software development, augmented/virtual
reality, and IT.”
Overall, Osprey anticipates productivity and efficiency will
improve, which will create economic growth, and increase the
number of jobs.
A.Celli is certain that machines will become truly“smart”in the
future. “This is why humans must be equally intelligent to un-
derstand that evolution is necessary and we must ride its wave
immediately,”Vergentini says.
A.Celli’s idea is to collect and track data for each plant, and
industrial group, which will enhance efficiency. “We are a com-
pany that is extremely oriented towards Industry 4.0, which will
certainly yield better results in terms of performance and timing,”
he adds.
“Think of school children who will learn subjects better and
faster if they have modern teachers and advanced and innovative
tools at their disposal,” he continues. “Our machines will behave
like this: correcting their errors as they go along, after having pro-
cessed them with the historical data available. This process will be
long and widespread in the next few years, and we cannot turn a
blind eye, we must be in synch!”
Vergentini thinks it’s been very convenient, and equally wrong,
to associate the concepts of automation and robotization with the
direct consequence that this approach will cause jobs available to
decrease.
“One forklift operator will be replaced by an additional spe-
cialized worker. One worker less in quantity will be replaced by
an extra quality worker. Instead, we should mention the fact that
the quality of work will increase, in line with the trend of educa-
tion,” he concludes.
For Andritz, the growing demand for digital solutions and
products is confirmation that Industry 4.0 is a strategic growth
area for the future. “For customers, the results achieved by using
our Metris products often exceed initial expectations,”Lukas says.
“Digitalization is rightly considered to be the buzzword when
it comes to the next industrial revolution, which is taking place
right now with Industry 4.0, and it has, therefore, gained a strong
foothold in the product portfolio landscape in every company,”
8/1/18 10:08 AM

he adds.
Experts in the respective fields are much sought after by em-
ployers, and the startup community is booming. Andritz says it is
keeping pace with these developments and transferring the ben-
efits to its customers by providing solutions to foresee digitally
under its Metris brand.
“There is a plenty of news available about Google, Uber, and
car manufacturers’ efforts to develop autonomous vehicles (i.e.
unattended and self-driving, capable of sensing their environ-
ment and navigating without human input). On the other hand,
there has not been much news about efforts and achievements in
developing an autonomous nonwoven mill – until now, but this
will soon change,” Lukas predicts.
When it comes to Industry 4.0, Valmet’s Nuyan admits that ini-
tiating new ways of working and new services always requires
a change in mindset and a willingness to accept of new things.
In the past, Valmet’s experts had to travel to remote destina-
tions to respond to mill needs and solve different kinds of prob-
lems. Now, via remote connections and its Performance Centers,
it has all the necessary data available and it can respond without a
delay. With this solution, rather than one service specialist travel-
ing to a site alone, they can gather a group of experts to solve mill
problems remotely.
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 45
40-45 Industry 4.0 0818.indd 45
The Rise of Industry 4.0
A challenge, according to Nuyan, is that many companies to-
day are witnessing the “Baby Boom” workforce retiring in alarm-
ing numbers, leaving a serious experience gap.
“The workforce hiring in now is quite sharp and they may be
trained, but regaining that experience is something that takes
time,” Nuyan says.“This time lag will influence the economy, but
another positive impact of Industrial Internet comes the area of
training. Companies can now train their workforce more effec-
tively because the analytics that we gather capture a lot of the
experience.”
In fact, Valmet has developed simulation solutions that it now
offers to train new operators and workers coming into the com-
pany. “So Industrial Internet, digitalization and these kinds of
analytics are helping companies overcome this Silver Tsunami,”
Nuyan adds.
As a result of Industry 4.0 implementation, Teknoweb antici-
pates the main impacts will be an increase in efficiency and high-
er productivity.“It means less people involved in low level opera-
tion and more people, with higher skills, dedicated to supervise
complex operations,” Conio says.“Business intelligence tools will
spread everywhere in the production cycle. As a result, we will
have shorter lead time, just in time production and virtually no
finished product stocks.” n
8/1/18 10:08 AM
 2018
Machinery &
Equipment Review
The biggest suppliers of nonwovens and related machinery discuss their latest technologies.
Compiled by Tara Olivo, Associate Editor
A.Celli Nonwovens
A.Celli Nonwovens has been designing and manufacturing ma-
chinery for the nonwovens industry for more than 70 years and
currently has a recognized leadership position in its core markets.
A.Celli Nonwovens offers a comprehensive range of master
roll winders and slitter-rewinders featuring state-of-the-art so-
lutions customized to spunbond, spunmelt, spunlace and airlaid
nonwovens roll goods production with a special focus on light-
weight fabrics and high speed production. The machinery range
is completed by non-stop flying splice unwinders and multi-
functional lines.
Iridium is the innovative and flexible A.Celli print revolution
developed to offer the highest quality printing onto different
kinds of substrates including nonwovens, PP/PE film and tissue
with a wide range of basis weights, enhancing the process chain,
offering roll goods producers the possibility of adding aesthetic
benefits to their products, empowering their brands with high
definition designs and images.
A.Celli Nonwovens puts a strong emphasis on the level of as-
sistance and service it offers its customers, with comprehensive
plans of expert machinery consultation and software updates, up-
grades and retrofits to existing lines, machinery integration and
equipment assessments for updates or revamps to improve qual-
ity, performance and throughput. The company offers technol-
ogy transfer and training workshops known as Winding School,
which can either take place at the customer’s manufacturing fa-
cilities or in Italy at the headquarters in Lucca, Tuscany.
The A.Celli Group offers software and hardware solutions to
optimize production and maintenance processes with a view to-
wards Industry 4.0 by developing advanced controls, innovative
industrial automation applications and integrated packaging sys-
tems, addressing prevalently to the market of machine manufac-
turers for the world of paper, tissue and nonwovens.
www.acelli.it
ACM Engineering
ACM Engineering is an established Italian company and an in-
46 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 46
novative solution provider for the production of cotton pads. The
company reaches new standards of high quality and shapes the
innovation combining converting and packaging in one frame.
ACM has become a benchmark for the success of several com-
panies worldwide. This is due not only to the excellence behind
all the machines, but also to the strong focus and flexibility to-
ward the customers’ needs.
Cutting-edge technology, high-speed, reliability and 40 years’
experience in the cotton field make ACM Engineering the stan-
dard for excellence in the cotton pads converting and packaging,
offering complete, trouble-free, flexible, efficient, fast and reliable
production lines in a wide range and with the lowest TCO. The
new cotton pad machine models can produce up to 56 guaran-
teed bags/min and are now provided with several innovations,
like for example the energy recovery system, which produces
power during the machine movements, the very comfortable
maintenance assistance directly on the machine display (which
shows how to proceed step by step with the machine mainte-
nance) and much more.
ACM Engineering not only manufactures fully automatic ma-
chines for the production of make-up remover pads (called also
cotton pads or cosmetic pads), taking advantage of the deep ex-
perience in the field of cotton wool and nonwoven fabrics, but it
has designed CrossJet, the spunlace machine to entangle fibers
by water jets (hydro-entanglement).
The company has already supplied four spunlace machines for
cotton and wet wipes which are completely developed and pro-
duced in ACM Engineering.
ACM Engineering offers extensive experience in designing
tailor-made machines to satisfy the various needs of its custom-
ers to develop and create machineries for the innovative products
of tomorrow.
www.acm-engineering.it
Aeris Group
Aeris Group Holding is located In Italy and controls highly spe-
cialized companies working for 30 years in the field of air treat-
8/1/18 11:39 AM
Untitled-1 2 6/18/18 10:42 AM
 ment, heating, cooling, and filtration, together with auxiliary ser-
vices like maintenance, spare parts and consultancy developing
turn-key and custom made plants, specifically oriented to the
different industrial applications and production processes.
The company has recently introduced AleniA NW. Thanks to
the long term experience of its management and staff, together
with the knowledge of the different nonwovens processes and
their technological requirements, AleniA NW offers specific
technical advice, guiding the customer to select the most suit-
able equipment solution to meet both the process and ambient
requirements, always aware of energy savings, investment pay-
back, and maximum efficiency of the production line.
AleniA NW is the only company in the specific field that is
going to receive the certification of conformity to ISO 9001:2008
related to the Quality Management System Standards.
Equipment quality is a priority for AleniA NW. In particular,
for the nonwovens field, AleniA NW can propose the follow-
ing range of products: pre-filtering, filtering and micro-filtering
systems; automatic recovery of production wastes; innovated
suction systems for conventional end-line (slitters) and spool-
ing lines; integrated systems for the treatment of technological
and environmental air; process air treatment for the production
machines; technological air-balancing systems; energy recovery
systems; quench treatment; and tailor-made solutions.
www.aerisgroup.it
Alliance Machine and Engraving
Alliance Machine and Engraving offers the Automatic Bearing
Lubrication System. Failure of a calender or thermo bonder bear-
ing in a highly automated converting or processing line can have
drastic consequences. In addition to the value of significant down
time, the cost to have riggers and mechanics replace the bearing
and repair the damage it may have caused can seriously affect the
bottom line. Previously, the process of monitoring and lubricat-
ing these critical components required meticulous records and
diligent maintenance personnel. As firms continue to do more
and more with fewer employees, Alliance responded with an in-
novative development through which bearings are continuously
monitored and automatically lubricated. A central control cabinet
with PLC and touchscreen controls a series of solenoids that de-
liver oil at prescribed intervals. Another screen displays individual
alarms of each circuit in the event a bearing does not receive lu-
brication. A single visual alarm is also activated should any alarm
on the system initiate. Options include a self-contained pump,
lubricant reservoir and low-level alarm.
www.alliancemachineandengraving.com
Andritz
International technology Group Andritz has acquired a 70%
stake in Diatec S.R.L., a leading manufacturer of converting ma-
chines for the hygiene and food packaging industries based in
Collecorvino in the region of Pescara, Italy. The remaining 30%
will stay in the hands of the two current shareholding families.
48 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 48
Diatec designs and manufactures a wide range of special ma-
chines and technological solutions, mainly for the production of
baby diapers and other absorbent hygiene products, but also for
food packaging. With this acquisition, Andritz complements its
product portfolio in Nonwoven and is now able to offer the com-
plete supply and value chain, from the raw material, to webform-
ing, finishing and converting.
Diatec was established in 1992 and has developed very fa-
vorably since then, with many international references and re-
nowned customers around the world. The company is known for
its innovative spirit, providing flexible and sophisticated solutions
for the hygiene sector.
The Diatec owners and managers, who will continue to work
in the company, acknowledge that Andritz is the best partner to
support the company’s long-term growth and – together with
employees and suppliers – to create synergies that can satisfy the
demands of its customers.
www.andritz.com
Autefa Solutions
In recent months, Autefa Solutions has again sold several card-
crosslapper combinations into the Chinese market, which will
boost the speed and production in existing and new spunlace
lines.
The main challenge in such high-speed lines is to keep fibers
at any time and process stage under control. The Autefa Solu-
tions Injection Card enables (drylaid) web forming at very high
production. The Injection Card uses a unique combination of me-
chanical and aerodynamic principle for a gentle fiber treatment.
This carding concept joins some benefits of the cotton card with
the advantages of traditional cards with workers and strippers.
On the main cylinder, the traditional mechanical principle us-
ing workers and strippers has been replaced by an aerodynamic
principle. The fibers are taken off the worker rollers by an aero-
dynamic effect generated by specifically shaped devices that are
replacing the traditional strippers. This avoids considerable me-
chanical stress on the fibers, which results in less fiber shortening
and less nep formation. The Injection Card delivers a quality web
8/1/18 11:40 AM
nordsonNON0818.indd 2 3/29/18 10:58 AM

at the highest productions with a better MD/CD.
With the Topliner CL4006 SL Autefa Solutions offers a cross-
lapper with special features for the spunlace application. High-
est layering speeds and precise weight distribution are possible
thanks to the integrated drafting unit, compensation belt, anti-
static equipment and new designed transport aprons. These fea-
tures are very important especially for lightweight applications
in spunlace lines and ensure the infeed speed up to 130 m/min.
Custom Converting Equipment
• Unwind/Rewinds ~ Slitters ~ Laminators
Traverse Winders ~ Accumulators
Festooners ~ Custom Equipment
w w w. c h a s e m a c h i n e . c o m
50 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 50
Autefa Solutions high-speed Webforming sub-system, con-
sisting of Injection Card and Crosslapper CL4006 SL supports
customers to keep or extend their leadership in the highly com-
petitive spunlace market.
www.autefa.com
Beta Machinery
Established in 1959 in Busto Arsizio, Italy, Beta distinguished
itself in the design and production of finishing machinery for
nonwovens, technical textiles and fabrics. In 60 years of activity,
over 2000 machines and 10,000 rolls have been built and sold all
around the world.
Its production range includes: squeezing padders; dyeing pad-
ders; impregnation plants; high pressure calenders; and thermo-
setting machines.
Beta Padders and Calenders are equipped with the exclusive
Beta-Roll, a patented system that assures a uniform distribution
of both working pressure and temperature along the whole table-
width of the rolls. The Beta-Roll makes the difference and solves
the endless issue of obtaining an even squeeze (and impregna-
tion), which translates into a perfect production.
Beta machines are designed using 3D and FEA software solu-
tions and are built with high quality raw materials and primary
• Converting equipment integrating ultrasonics,
impulse welding, adhesives, hot air, RF welding,
and thermal technologies
MADE
IN THE USA
8/1/18 11:40 AM
 2018 Machinery & Equipment Review

brands components. Its machines are recognized worldwide for

their undisputed performance, sturdy construction, long life and
high flexibility. Special emphasis is devoted to the design of the
Ideas to innovation

safety systems, in accordance with the strictest regulations.

Beta also provides all the related accessories (unwinders/wind-
ers, accumulators, dryers, trolleys, heaters), allowing the custom-
er to deal with only one technological and trusted partner for the
supply of turnkey plants.
Since 2010 Beta is part of the Comerio Ercole Group and shares
the same innovative spirit, dedication, technology and safety pro-
cedures.
www.betanonwovens.com

BST eltromat International

BST eltromat International, a leading manufacturer of quality
assurance systems for the web-processing industries, complies
with the increasing demand for its solutions for ensuring pro-
duction quality in the nonwovens industry. Different systems of
Lines for
BST eltromat are suitable for assuring quality in this industry,
e.g. products for web guiding, 100% inspection, register control,
web monitoring and measurement of thickness + basis weight.
Needled
BST eltromat web guiding systems are mainly used in ma-
chines that process nonwoven materials into hygiene products, Nonwovens
such as diapers, sanitary pads and other hygienic articles. Sever-
al narrow webs of various light materials are fed through a mul-
titude of process stages, such as ultrasonic printing, stamping
and embossing at low web tension and at speeds of up to 1000
m/min. Then they are wound up, later unwound and assembled
into the end products. This is where the web guiding system is
needed, to ensure that the webs run through the process in a
controlled way and thus meet the necessary quality. Some of
these machines have up to 20 web guiding systems. If requested
DiloGroup
by customers, BST eltromat network these systems. This is how
these complex machines reach a high level of automation sim- P. O. Box 1551
ply and effortlessly. 69405 Eberbach / Germany
In the nonwovens industry, BST eltromat web guiding sys- Phone +49 6271 940-0
tems are not only used for further processing but also in slit- Fax +49 6271 711 42
ter applications that cut the nonwoven material into narrower info@dilo.de, www.dilo.de

46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 51 8/1/18 11:40 AM

 webs. Here the web guiding systems ensure that the individual
material webs are precisely wound up after being cut.
Customers of BST eltromat have a choice of web guiding sys-
tems according to their technical and economic requirements
for cutting or processing nonwoven materials. They can choose
among eco-variants, basic systems and high-end solutions
which can be easily adjusted to specific tasks upon request. The
company’s scope of supply for web guiding in the nonwovens
industry e.g. includes various web edge sensors, actuators, web
guiding devices and coatings for the guide rollers. This way BST
eltromat covers the enormous range of materials processed in
this market.
For example, the web guiding system CompactGuide can be
equipped with various optical web edge sensors, splice tables
and clamping devices and therefore is very versatile. Its control-
ler makes it extremely easy to operate, which is a decisive cri-
teria for all operators. The intuitive operation is constructed in
a logical way and at first glance, the operator sees whether the
materials are being properly controlled. The EcoGuide is also
very common in the nonwoven industry. It is a particularly cost-
efficient and compact web guiding system that can be put into
operation fast and easily via the plug-and-play function just like
the CompactGuide web guiding system.
If nonwoven materials with various web widths are pro-
cessed, BST eltromat’s wide array sensors are also used. Due to
their large measurement area, these tried and tested, wear-free
and thus maintenance-free web edge sensors do not need to be
mechanically adjusted or aligned in case of varying web widths.
In addition, during operation they automatically compensate
for environmental influences such as dust pollution or fluctua-
tion in temperature.
www.bst.group
Catbridge Machinery
Catbridge Machinery has developed a turret winder optimized
for small rolls of nonwovens. This model 324 efficiently converts
short-footage rolls of spunbond, airlaid, meltblown and other
nonwovens.
The cantilevered, single-turret machine center winds in con-
tact or minimum gap modes, producing finished rolls with a
maximum 18” diameter on 2” or 3” cores. It’s capable of shear or
score slitting to a minimum 4” width but can also log wind to
widths of 84”or more. With an inline cross-web perforator, perfo-
ration distances of 12 to 300” are possible.
Features from unwind to rewind help with productivity. A
driven, shaftless, floor pickup unwind accelerates quickly, which
is especially important on short rewind work. Automatic cut and
transfer via a driven, shear system ensures dependable, clean
cuts. A roll enveloper and tucker provide consistent, no-foldover
starts at the core. An optional tabber applies tape to attach the
product to the core of new rolls and to seal the last wrap on fin-
ished rolls.
www.catbridge.com
52 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 52
CB Packaging
CB Packaging has been in the packaging market for more than
25 years. Boasting a flexible approach to customers and the dy-
namism of a young team, it’s supported by the know-how and
the strength of the historic group Bettinelli, which became Inman
in 2012.
CB Packaging sells machinery all over the world. Its compo-
nents are made in Italy and it has three main branches: Shanghai,
China, Pune, India (Pune) and Sparta, NJ, U.S.
The company’s main goal has always been the increase of
technology in terms of speed, compression and reliability, never
leaving out its historical strengths: fast format changeover; ease
of use; and offering a wide range of products managed without
invasive modifications.
Some improvements from the company include offering a bag-
ger compression that is now up to five tons, meaning a reduction
of the PE material. In parallel, CB Packaging has increased the
speed in order to cover the actual speeds of the converting lines.
The company’s bagger for wet wipes multi-pack can handle a
huge range of product sizes, from small wipes packs (cosmetic,
for example) to very big wipes packs (baby and adult wipes) in
different counts, including the standard multi-row and the spe-
cial multi-level.
Further, CB Packaging’s machines for sanitary napkins, light-
inco and pantyliners have been speeded up and improved.
And, last but not least, the company has a new machine for
secondary packaging which, instead of in the usual secondary
packaging in cardboard boxes, puts the different packages in big-
ger PE bags. A big PE bag contains various product packages in
vertical or horizontal and this final multi-bag has the same shape
and gusseting of the primary packaging.
It’s very easy to realize its advantage, just by comparing cost of
the material and savings, the company says.
www.cbpackaging.it
Chase Machine and Engineering
Since 1954, Chase Machine and Engineering has been designing and
building Custom Converting Equipment to process films, foils and
woven/nonwoven/knit fabrics, while controlling speed, tension and
guidance. It specializes in integrating technologies such as ultrason-
8/1/18 11:40 AM
 The Extrusioneers

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reicofilNON0818.indd 2 7/25/18 10:59 AM

 ics, impulse welding, hot air
welding, adhesive dispensing,
RF welding, band sealing, ex-
truders and CO2 lasers.
Chase Machine manu-
factures unwinds, rewinds,
slitters, laminators, traverse
winders, cut-to-length ma-
chines, festooners, accu-
mulators, ultrasonic sewing
machines as well as custom
machines. Its equipment is
utilized in the manufacturing
of consumer products such
as face masks, wipes, safety
vests, air/liquid filters, medical
devices and hygiene products.
Chase Machine uses its 60-
plus years of web handling
experience to benefit custom-
ers in the filtration, medical,
packaging, automotive, textile and geotextile market segments.
www.chasemachine.com
THE ONE THAT DOES IT ALL.
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Contact us today to learn more: (615) 824-3634
54 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 54
Componex
Componex provides dead shaft idler technology with WINertia
products. WINertia products feature advanced web-handling
technology including WINertia AV (air vent) precision aluminum
idler rolls with exclusive WINtrac Coatings. Componex provides
innovative precision products at competitive prices with the
shortest lead time in the industry.
www.componex.net
Cormatex
Cormatex is a textile machinery manufacturer specialized in de-
veloping customized solutions for the most demanding nonwo-
ven customers. Thanks to its long experience and continuous in-
novation, Cormatex supplies complete lines for the production of
unique nonwoven products based on virgin or recycled fibers as
well as various types of waste materials.
For customers with production scraps or fibers that are particu-
larly hard to process (such as very short fibers—less than 1 mm,
non-fibrous materials like PU-foam, coarse fibers like coconut or
fragile ones like basalt and carbon fibers), Cormatex can offer a
solution to convert these materials into innovative value-added
products.
Thanks to its special airlay technologies called “Lap Formair V”
SCS nozzle HSI nozzle Slot nozzle
8/1/18 11:40 AM

and “Lap Formair H,” post-consumer and post-industrial wastes
can be mixed together with low melting fibers or powder res-
ins to create nonwoven panels that can be used for thermal and
acoustic insulation, automotive applications, mattresses, packag-
ing and others.
A complete pilot line is available at Cormatex’s premises where
both its vertical and horizontal airlay systems are installed (in-
cluding thermobonding and needlepunching capabilities) and
ready to show the high performance it can achieve with its in-
novative technologies.
www.cormatex.it
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 55
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 55
2018 Machinery & Equipment Review
Dan-Web Machinery
Dan-Web Machinery is a leading supplier of airlaid and airlaid
related technologies. The solutions range from standalone air-
laid web forming systems, for combination with other nonwoven
technologies, to complete turnkey airlaid production plants for
production of all types of airlaid products. A number of spin-off
products are also available, for instance defibrators/hammermills.
The defibrators/hammermills ensure optimal defibration of
fluff pulp for the airlaid web forming systems, and are always
part of the supply to airlaid customers. The defibrators are also
supplied individually where capacity increases are needed on ex-
isting airlaid plants, as well as for retrofit/improvement projects
where older hammermill technology is replaced with Dan-Web
defibrators, regardless of the type of airlaid technology.
Other applications for the defibrators are diaper lines, feminine
hygiene lines, and in general all applications where optimal pulp
defibration and energy consumption is needed.
The latest addition to the Dan-Web airlaid technology portfo-
lio is a new generation of through-air drying and bonding ovens,
engineered by Dan-Web to meet the specific demands for dry-
ers and ovens for production of latex, thermal and multi bonded
airlaid products. The new generation of dryers and ovens feature
highly efficient heat management, cross machine temperature
8/1/18 11:40 AM
 control, innovative cleaning technology for both wire and dryer
modules as well as all round accessibility, minimizing downtime
and risk of fires.
The dryers and ovens are supplied either together with com-
plete airlaid lines, or as upgrade projects where older dryer/oven
technology is replaced or improved.
www.dan-web.com
Dell'Orco&Villani, Fives and TECHNOplants
A consortium of experienced nonwoven experts, Dell'Orco&Villani
(Italy), Fives (France) and TECHNOplants (Italy) have launched
a pilot line in Pistoia, Italy, for nonwoven producers to test fibers
for ADL applications: hygiene, personal care, medical, etc. The
2.8m pilot line is equipped with opening and blending systems
from Dell'Orco&Villani, a carding machine DMS Elowave from
Fives and a thermobonding oven from TECHNOplants.
The electronic opening and blending systems from
Dell'Orco&Villani offer 99% blending precision; 2000 kg/h maxi-
mum production rate; buffer area for blending; pre-opening of
bico fibers; feeding via bale opener or pneumatic transportation;
and fine opening for intimate mixing of fibers.
The DMS Elowave card from Fives features a completely new
design. It has an improved roll run-out to 0,03mm for enhanced
homogeneity and high mechanical stability during operations. Its
main advantages include high productivity: 1000 kg/h/m for 3.75
working width / 3.3 Dtex & 50 gsm; improved MD/CD ratio: 2.5/1
@ 300 m/min; and drastic reduction of fiber accumulation due to
controlled aeraulic flow.
The thermobonding oven from TECHNOplants has a robust
oven frame to guarantee low deformation. Its advantages include
homogeneous bonding due to the enhanced cross air control; a
heat recovery system to reduce energy consumption; indepen-
dent blowing sections to allow blowing boxes to elongate and
avoid dangerous flections; and a long life conveyor belt system.
www.dellorco-villani.it / www.fivesgroup.com /
www.techno-plants.com
Dilo Group
Dilo, as a leading supplier for staple fiber nonwovens processing
machinery, is continuously working on innovations. DiloGroup
consists of DiloSpinnbau, DiloTemafa, DiloMachines and Dilo-
Systems and offers machinery for complete production process-
es. In its 116 years of history, the company has always set new
standards in regard to machine performance and efficiency. Inno-
vative technologies like DI-LOUR, DI-LOOP and Hyperpunch
have created new markets for the nonwovens industry and have
contributed to continuous growth.
The HyperLayer was designed on the principle of the camel-
back crosslapper and completely revised. The kinematic solution
of this crosslapper transports and lays down the web very pre-
cisely and is especially suited for very light webs, layering only
few layers. It realizes highest production speeds (web infeed
speed up to 200 m/min) at a precise laydown with a minimum
56 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 56
of draft.
The new HyperTex technology which uses a filament or yarn
laying machine of Messrs. OnTec combines endless scrims with
nonwovens. The sandwich structures consisting of base and cov-
er felt including a reinforcing grid can be produced inline at very
high speeds of up to 40 m/min. Infinitely variable mesh sizes and
a wide range of reinforcing yarns result in a high flexibility to
adapt the number of filaments to the strength requirements of
the specific application. This technique requires little space, low
energy consumption and provides high production efficiency.
The development of Intensive needling offers an efficient solu-
tion for needling very light webs based on mechanical consoli-
dation. Special Hyperpunch needlelooms combine a very high
needle density with a low barb depth and thus enable the trans-
port of single fibers, which results in a very high degree of con-
solidation within the felt. This approach could supplement the
important water entanglement technology to reduce its high en-
ergy and water consumption.
www.dilo.de
Edelmann
In 2018, Edelmann brought to market several technological
breakthroughs.
With the mother roll winder Type ET5, Edelmann Technology
presented during a customer acceptance test the capability to
produce a mother roll and perform the fully automatic doffing on
a 5 m. wide machine at 1450 m./min.
This is the first winder in the nonwovens industry proving
that spunbond web can be taken from the preceding line at that
speed. The same equipment can also produce highloft spunbond
slit reels.
In combination with the non-stop mother roll unwinder and
the latest Edelmann slitter, it has been proven that the newest
high-speed spunbond lines being brought to the market can be
operated with only one slitter also with 8gsm spunbond material.
In early 2018 Edelmann Technology also presented to several
customers its latest developments on its in-line slitter rewinder
type 640-12 producing nonwoven rolls at 1000 m./min. Up until
8/1/18 11:40 AM
 PERFECTLY PACKAGED
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Untitled-2 2 7/23/18 11:42 AM


now, the speed of these were limited at 800 m./min. Besides the
high speed of this equipment, it also ensures that the material
characteristics of very soft, bulky and highloft spunbond mate-
rial are not influenced negatively as they are known from off-line
slitter rewinders. In comparison to off-line slitting lines, in-line
slitter rewinders are by far the most competitive alternative in
regard to purchase price and operating cost.
Both product lines are continuously developed further and
produced custom made to best support the business of nonwo-
ven rolls.
www.edelmann-technology.com
Fife
Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for
web handling applications, announced two new Fife sensors at
Labelexpo Europe.
“With the release of the SE-26B Line Guide Sensor and four
additional DSE Digital Sensors, we are entering a new era of sens-
ing technology by incorporating LED displays, LED light sources
and data information from the sensor itself,” says Shomari Head,
global product manager of Fife Guiding. “In addition, the digital
connection between our advanced D-MAXE Controller and the
DSE sensors allows for automatic setup and opens the possibil-
ity of adding additional functions such as contamination alarms
and more.”
www.maxcessintl.com/fife
Filcon Fabrics
Filcon Fabrics announces SPUNPRO-7, its latest patented prod-
uct for nonwovens makers. Filcon’s SPUNPRO series of belts for
nonwoven lines are developed to ensure optimal web formation
quality, accommodate the lightest web weights, and run at maxi-
mum production speeds.
SPUNPRO-7 belt offers a distinct and significant cleanability
advantage over its already successful SPUNPRO-6. Filcon knows
that time spent cleaning a production line translates into less time
58 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 58
rolling out product. Focused on “cleanability,” its engineering de-
sign team has developed a new patented belt structure that better
resists resin from getting inside the belt. When cleaning SPUN-
PRO-7, resin drop removal is easier than before, thus minimizing
damage to belt due to forceful cleaning. In sum, these benefits of
SPUNPRO-7, lead to a longer and more productive belt life.
www.filcon-fabrics.com
Hills Inc.
Hills offers equipment to manufacture specialty spunbond and
meltblown fabrics, multicomponent staple fibers, continuous mul-
ticomponent filament yarns, and monofilaments. A full range of
research, pilot, and commercial machinery is in operation, with
particular emphasis on multicomponent fiber structures. Hills’ core
technology is its patented“printed circuit board”method of manu-
facturing precision polymer flow passages to extrude exquisitely
complex fiber cross sections containing two or more polymers.
Spunbond Machinery—Hills provides the most sophisticated
bicomponent extrusion technology, temperature separation for
each polymer, high pressure capability, ultra-high-spinning-speed
slot draw units, and characterizable forming tables. Hills provides:
a) complete spunbond machines for speciality products includ-
ing lofty or bulky webs.
b) key components for companies building their own machines
c) bicomponent extrusion technology for the excellent bicom-
ponent spunbond machines manufactured by Reicofil.
Nanofibers under 500nm are easily produced at rates far great-
er than that of any other method. Polymer choice, cross-section,
and process flexibility permit many different products to be made
on the same machine. Some high-value markets being served
are artificial leather, industrial fabrics, and filtration media.
Meltblown machinery—Hills machines make a variety of bi-
component and homopolymer products for filtration, breathable
barriers, and other high-value uses. Hills’ unique technology…
patented thin plates used to create special extrusion dies…permit
great design and operating flexibility. Hills dies offer very high
polymer pressure capability, hole count to >100 hpi, and unlimit-
ed capillary L/D. Thus, its customers’ dies may be tailored to make
specific products (choice of polymers including high-viscosity
polymers, fiber sizes from under 250nm average to 10+ microns
in diameter, and/or bicomponent fibers).
Staple Machinery—Hills offers high-capacity mono- and bi-
8/1/18 11:41 AM
 NIPPON TUNGSTEN USA, INC.
Quality Starts with Craftmanship.
Complete Regrind Services for Carbide and Steel Rotary Cutters
4 Week Processing Standard Expedited Processing Available
2986 Cyrus Creek Rd Barboursville, WV 25504 www.nippontungstenusa.com
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nipponNON0818.indd 2 7/27/18 12:17 PM

 component staple fiber machinery, and also affordable conver-
sions of existing “blended polymer” staple machines to true
bicomponent production of dividable and islands-in-the-sea
fibers, for such uses as artificial leather and microfiber wipes
manufacture.
www.hillsinc.net
Hyperion Materials & Technologies
Hyperion Materials & Technologies, formerly Sandvik Hyperion,
is a global leader in hard and super-hard materials with over 60
years of experience in cemented carbide, diamond and cubic boron
nitride technologies, specializing in premium base materials, tool
maker components, engineered products and process tools and
solutions for the most demanding applications. Among its process
tools and solutions portfolio, Hyperion offers an extensive range of
rotary cutters and cutting units for the hygiene market.
The cutting unit is a critical component of a hygiene convert-
ing line. Its reliability and lifetime can heavily influence the total
productivity output. Hyperion can support customers to identify
the main drivers to generate savings in their daily operations and
continuously improve the overall equipment efficiency (OEE).
From engineering development of the cutting solution to man-
ufacturing, internal tests, start-up assistance, operators’ training,
Precision
Measurement &
Control Solutions
Basis Weight, Thickness & Moisture Measurements
NDC Technologies has been faithfully serving the nonwovens
industry for over 50 years and we have thousands of satisfied
customers that rely on our measurement systems every day
to improve quality, increase productivity and deliver
manufacturing savings. We are committed to your success.
On-Line Web Gauging & Control Web Surface Inspection
Get more from NDC Technologies.
www.ndc.com
60 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 60
after-sales assistance and up to the carbide recycling program,
Hyperion works closely with customers to provide a high level of
technical and manufacturing support throughout the whole cut-
ting unit lifecycle. This translates directly into customer savings
through excellent production efficiency, optimization of spare part
quantities and a reduction of machine downtimes and mainte-
nance needs.
Hyperion’s most recent developments support this customer
focused approach:
• IQut, integrating“intelligence”to the cutting unit, through
sensors which measure the main parameters influencing
the cutting performance and thus anticipating and pre-
venting possible machine downtimes. This includes tem-
perature monitoring, vibrations, speed, slippage, number
of cuts, automatic identification of the tools installed in
the unit, etc. The unit will have the possibility to work as a
standalone system or to be fully integrated to a converting
line. Why not acting instead of re-acting?
• A-Flex, allowing a quick change of the tools installed in
the cutting frame, thus minimizing machine downtimes
as well as the number of spare part tools and maximizing
productivity.
www.hyperion.sandvik.com
8/1/18 11:41 AM
Untitled-3 2 3/20/18 3:40 PM
 Investkonsult Sweden
Investkonsult Sweden continues their strong tradition of argu-
ably being the primary and preferred supplier of second-hand
nonwoven and absorbent hygiene equipment. Investkonsult sup-
plies everything from single machines to complete lines – even
on a turn-key basis, from small start-up companies in India and
Africa doing their first efforts to come into the AHP market all
the way to delivering complete spunmelt solutions to the global
players. Few – if any – of the other used equipment companies
can say that they have delivered and started-up spunbond as well
as meltblown lines in such remote places as Indonesia and India.
Alongside the equipment arm of Investkonsult Sweden is also
the consulting part of the business, which continues to grow ev-
ery year – as more and more nonwoven and AHP producers see
the benefits of having an outside objective eye looking into spe-
cialty projects and doing small but valuable missions for them.
“We always perform with the highest integrity, transparency
towards our principals, on-time delivery and full dedication to
the projects we take on,” says Kerim Kalkan, sales manager for
the company.
As a result of extensive travelling and having visited a large
number of production sites over the past 30 years, their database
is constantly updated and expanded. The database is completely
custom-developed in-house and serves as the brain and heart of
all their activities. The geo-mapping system showing the location
of almost all global production facilities is also an invaluable tool
that they put to extensive use.
Any inquiry is welcome, whether for equipment, parts or con-
sulting missions.
www.ik.se
Kansan Machinery
Kansan Machinery has been holding the pulse of wet wipe in-
dustry for over two decades. With the introduction of new gen-
eration wet wipe lines and a productive year, now it is time to get
ready for IDEA Miami ’19.
An Upgraded Cross Fold Line – Compact and Efficient: Unlike
other cross fold machines, Kansan’s Flexiwork model is compact,
fast and most importantly doesn’t sacrifice hygiene to get high
end results.
Up to 600 cuts/minute, Flexiwork functions with only mechan-
ical folding. This provides a fast and convenient production for
manufacturers. And if more capacity is requested, Flexiwork can
work with 700 cuts/minute with vacuum.
The short distance between wetting and cutting gives the op-
portunity to work with sensitive materials such as wetlaid and
airlaid effortless with ease.
High Capacity Flow Pack with No Hustle: Kansan’s own pack-
aging machine brand Dynamic Pack has spread to five continents
and is used by both new-starters and giant international manu-
facturers. The latest model Acurapack 160 has 150 packs/minute
working capacity. It can offer long dwelling D-cam system for
good sealing, automatic laminate change, a complete quality
62 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 62
control system, three labelling units, a mechanism to work with
both smallest and large packs and a control panel that enables
you to make most of the adjustments electronically.
www.kansanmak.com
MAGPOWR
Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for
web handling applications, announced the release of three ten-
sion amplifiers from MAGPOWR with advanced networking ca-
pabilities. Announced are the DLCA NET, DLCA NET-Slim and
DLCA NET-IP65, with the slim catering to applications where
panel space is crucial and the IP65 to applications where tension
values can be converted to communications on the machine itself
without going back to a control panel.
“With our new line of amplifiers that include built-in network-
ing capabilities, we are offering EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus
TCP, an embedded web server and EtherCAT for the first time
in a tension amplifier,” says Chris Harper, global product man-
ager for MAGPOWR Tension Control. “This family of amplifiers
and its included features allow for fast and easy integration into
machine control networks and adds high performance and en-
hanced reliability to web tension measurement.”
The new line of amplifiers transmits calibrated tension values
from one or two tension zones over dual port communications
and offers EDS file AOP, DLR Ring, PTP time stamping, alarms
and an embedded web server for setup and calibration.
www.maxcessintl.com/magpowr
Menges Roller
Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for
web handling applications, announced the completion of Meng-
es Roller Company’s multi-million-dollar expansion. The expan-
sion doubles its manufacturing footprint while installing state-
of-the-art new equipment.
“This expansion will allow us to expand our year-over-year
growth, while keeping our high standing in the commercial
manufacture of rollers and coverings for the converting, steel,
packaging, plastics and other industrial uses of large rolls,” says
Garrett Rausch, director of Engineering and Manufacturing for
Menges Roller.
The expansion of the plant doubles its manufacturing foot-
print and features a new state-of-the-art lathe, which enables
the company to manufacture rolls up to 58 inches in diameter
and 275 inches in length with live tooling and 3-axis machin-
ing capabilities.
www.mengesroller.com
Mondon
Renowned mechanical engineering company Mondon Winding
and Converting Machines, designs and manufactures converting
machines since 1983. With its 35 years’ experience in winding &
unwinding machinery, the French company offers products that
meet quality, efficiency and reliability.
8/1/18 11:41 AM
hillsNON0517.indd 2 4/18/17 12:56 PM
 Mondon strengthens its presence on the international market
thanks to its best seller Mondon FTW Series. The full automatic
turret winder offers high productivity first-class results. The FTW
Series turret winder is dedicated to wind product without stop in
production facility before using coating systems, laminating sys-
tems and printing lines for example. The FTW Series can wind
rolls until 1400 mm diameter and 1,5T weight. The thickness of
the product can fluctuate between 0,2 and 7 mm. FTW range is
versatile and offer high quality results: the accuracy of the turret
winder rotation and tension control is a key factor to deliver the
highest quality results. FTW Series control is performed thanks to
a network application with the upstream processing line.
The systems can be applied for several applications on existing
lines by adapting the design to the product. They are available in
different width from 1600 mm to 4000 mm, with optional devices
such as a lifting table to unload the finished rolls. Interface pa-
rameter adjustment and mechanical design offer to the end user
reliable equipment easy to use and easy to maintain. Training is
optimum thanks to a pleasant interface.
www.mondon.com
NDC Technologies
NDC Technologies, a leading global provider of precision measure-
ment and control solutions, has recently released several new and
innovative measurement systems ready for Industry 4.0 with data
integration and connectivity down to the gauge level. These new
solutions enable nonwovens manufacturers to produce higher
quality products, increase productivity and realize significant pro-
duction savings.
NDC's new Web Surface Inspection Systems (engineered by
R.A.M.) provide 100% product coverage, enabling manufacturers to
achieve zero defects. Systems include powerful capabilities to instantly
detect, classify, document and record all optical defects across a broad
scope of web materials.
NDC’s new Low Energy X-Ray Sensor is ideally suited for thick-
ness and basis weight measurements of light weight products such
as nonwovens and offers excellent narrow streak resolution. A
highly stable, precisely tuned power supply runs at or below 5keV
providing high signal-to-noise characteristics and optimum mea-
surement performance.
The new Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed Pro non-contact length
and speed gauge offers the highest accuracy in the industry (better
than +/-0.03%) and the widest measurement depth of field for the
full velocity range. LaserSpeed Pro offers a new, faster processing
engine for faster communications and supports Ethernet connec-
tivity. Ideal replacement for contact encoders. Over 8000 gauges
installed worldwide.
In other news, NDC also announced that it has successfully recerti-
fied to the new ISO 9001:2015 standard. The audit encompassed the
complete value chain, from development and production to sales. This
certification applies to NDC’s corporate headquarters in Dayton, OH,
and Centers of Excellence in Irwindale, CA, and Maldon, U.K.
www.ndc.com
64 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 64
Nordson Corporation
Nordson Corporation is a global leader in industrial fluid
conditioning, delivery, and dispensing. Nordson’s Adhesive
Dispensing Systems Nonwovens/disposable hygiene product
portfolio applies hot melt adhesives, as well as product ad-
ditives such as wetness indicators, heated lotions, fragrances,
and odor control products.
Nordson offers four defined system tiers to meet the diverse
needs of nonwovens manufacturers. These defined systems
optimize its customers’ performance in production and ma-
terial use. Production speed, capability to produce multiple
products on a single line, and future production needs are
considered when choosing a nonwovens system.
Melters anchor each system tier and are differentiated by
supported control capabilities, features, and delivered perfor-
mance. For example, Nordson’s popular tier-2 VersaBlue Plus
melter has the advanced capability to provide integrated pat-
tern control and closed-loop flow control, and the soon to be
released VersaBlue Connect melter (November 2018) deliv-
ers single-point system-level (multi-melter) control, with in-
creased options such as remote communication and wireless
support.
Each tier offers applicator choices to optimize dispens-
ing using non-contact spray or contact slot application. Slot
nozzles are designed for either continuous or intermittent dis-
pensing, while spray applications are served by the portfolio of
Universal nozzles, which feature a patented Universal mount
for easy nozzle changes and an industry-best breadth of spray
nozzle choices to optimize application performance and ef-
ficiency.
Nordson’s global reach and experienced personnel are
proud to deliver innovative products and a high-level of sup-
port before and after sale. Nordson is committed to helping its
customers produce high-quality products efficiently, at high
production speed, and with optimized cost.
www.nordsonadhesive.com/nonwovens
Optima Nonwovens
Optima Nonwovens develops future technologies together
with customers. To engage in dialog with customers at the
earliest possible stage. To get feedback. To find out whether a
customer is on the right track with their thoughts and devel-
opments for the future. This is what the in-house exhibition
“Partnering with the Packaging Pioneers” at Optima Nonwo-
vens is all about. From June to August 2018, customers learn
about cutting-edge technologies and the latest solutions
in Schwaebisch Hall. They will gain inspiration in the fields
"next level of modularity," "reduction of the last user interface
through automation" and "communication and service in the
context of digitization." The feedback from exhibition visitors
will have a decisive influence on further developments.
Early visitors were impressed by the exhibition concept: "I
highly recommend in-house exhibitions, as the focus is more
8/1/18 11:41 AM

on the customers and their needs than on trade shows, where
you can just have a quick hello and not really go deep," says
Martin Gärtner, group manufacturing director at Ontex, a
leading manufacturer of hygiene products.
Over the coming months and years, he wants to pursue
some of the approaches he learned about at the exhibition. "It
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 65
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 65
2018 Machinery & Equipment Review
is always interesting to be inspired by new ideas," adds Gärt-
ner. He was particularly impressed by the Cobot in action – an
approach worth considering in times of rising labor costs.
www.optima-packaging.com
Osprey
Osprey focuses its efforts on continuous improvement to bring
its customers valuable and innovative features and services.
OspreyCONNECT is its latest development that will enhance the
Osprey ownership experience.
OspreyCONNECT is designed to be an Industry 4.0 solution,
which combines IOT data from equipment sensors and PLCs
with cloud-based analytics and services. The value of this so-
lution is that it provides customers with real-time information
needed to make better decisions in critical business areas such as
reducing operating costs, boosting productivity, and improving
equipment reliability.
OspreyCONNECT provides customers with secure remote
analysis and repair services. This saves its customers time wait-
ing on technicians, associated expenses, and most importantly
machine downtime. Osprey also provides customers with the op-
tion of utilizing monitoring data features, receive email updates
on critical machine alarms, health reports, and maintenance rec-
8/1/18 11:41 AM
 ommendations based on
historical trends. Easy to ac-
cess technical information
such as manuals, replace-
ment part information, and
instruction videos are avail-
able through OspreyCON-
NECT.
In other news, a new pat-
ent for the Osprey Blue-Sky
filter is expected to be is-
sued by the U.S. Patent Of-
fice in early August 2018.
The new patent will not re-
quire a HEPA stage but still
includes the features of the
original Blue-Sky patent.
Another new development
is Osprey’s improved filter media holding bands that are avail-
able for all drum filters. For more information on the new bands,
visit www.ospreyfilters.com/literature-media/videos/.
www.ospreyfilters.com
PF System
Since its beginnings PF System has been devoted to the hygiene,
tissue and airlaid industries, creating profitable and sustainable
solutions that are reliable with minimum maintenance require-
ments.
With joint experience of 35 years within the filtration industry,
it brings the know-how from different processes and can apply
the right solution where it is needed.
The company’s Continuous Cleaned Filter System is a new
design which includes several features compared to the existing
types such as lower pressure drops leading to lower power con-
sumption; safety improvements; simplified construction leading
to competitive pricing; and part improvements leading to pro-
longing lifetime expectancy.
Maintenance is of course being a key factor and a chapter that
sometimes is overlooked, by always including remote monitoring
and support in its scope, PF System can follow the parameters on
a customer’s system and provide the right support when needed.
Airflow optimization is an essential part of how it can reduce
energy consumption and at the same time streamline the func-
tion of the created pressures and airflows, this is foundational.
PF System is global supplier of turnkey filtration systems and
spare parts for the majority of filtration equipment on the market
and not least supplier of peripheral equipment such as waste han-
dling systems, humidification units, heat exchange systems, etc.
www.pfsystem.se
Ramina
Ramina is a leading Italian manufacturer of nonwoven turn-key
plants and machines specialized in: spunbond PP and PET lines,
66 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 66
airlaying lines, thermobonding lines, needling lines, spray bond-
ing lines, geocomposites lamination lines & GCL lines.
From the design to the construction, the product range in-
cludes: Spinning unit, opening & blending equipment, airlay-
S, thermobonding ovens, drum dryers, infra-red ovens, cooling
systems, calenders, padders, scatter powder systems, hot-melt
systems, smoothing systems, slitting & cross cutters, pneumatic
accumulators, winders, re-winders and packing systems.
The company covers an area of approximately 18,000 m2 in
which there are two major operating facilities; the first factory
that concentrates the metal-mechanical production department
and the second building built in 2008 which focuses on the de-
partments of design, assembly and testing of the equipment.
The smart use of the knowledge and the technological pro-
cesses, the utilization of a state of the art designing tool and the
careful use of suitable constructing technologies, place Ramina
among the most competitive producers and builders of NW stan-
dard machines and NW customized machines.
Thanks to professional research and technological innovations,
Ramina has achieved significant results, noticeable in high qual-
ity standards and reliability on a machine’s continuous use in any
operative condition.
www.ramina.it
Sonobond
Sound-absorbing products using acoustical nonwoven ma-
terials can be easily assembled with SeamMaster Ultrasonic
Sewing Machines.
Manufacturers using acoustical nonwoven materials in their
sound-absorbing products—like aviation insulation blankets
and automotive door panels—use Sonobond ultrasonic equip-
ment to quickly and reliably assemble their products.
Sonobond’s SeamMaster Ultrasonic Sewing Machines are
approved by major aircraft manufacturers, and meet FAR
25.856 requirements to assemble aviation acoustic insulation
blankets. Their rotary operation is just like using traditional
sewing machines, but they create stronger, longer lasting
seams. They don’t use needles, thread, glue or tape and they
quickly seam and seal synthetic fabrics and coated polyimide
films in just one pass.
Sonobond’s ultrasonic handheld units are used to assemble au-
tomotive door inserts that contain acoustical nonwoven materials.
These materials can be difficult to cut and sew using traditional
methods. The small handheld units securely seal synthetic tape to
the nonwovens, and cleanly finish the ends, eliminating the need
for back tacks to hold the materials in place.
www.sonobondultrasonics.com
Spoolex
During ANEX 2018, Spoolex Group launched the new gen-
eration of its well-known Pegase Jumbo spooling line.
For several months now Spoolex’s process experts and en-
gineering teams have been working together with final cus-
8/1/18 11:42 AM
 2018 Machinery & Equipment Review

tomers to enhance performances of the well-known Pegase proprietary conditions for machinery and process consideration.
Jumbo spooling line and to develop a new equipment to Additionally, in 2018, TTS signed an agreement with SICAM,
match always more challenging new materials. Thanks to S.r.l. Milan – Italy for representation in North America for their
numerous material upgrades and new design, the Pegase key thermobonding ovens, spray bonding ovens, stenter frames and
functions have been re-designed and improved to allow even dryers to produce high loft materials, waddings, abrasives, re-
more productivity. The result presented by Spoolex at ANEX cycled fiber felt and glass fiber production lines.
demonstrates the company leadership for this application: www.tt-services-usa.com
Its newly launched Pegase4 is equipped
with new solutions not only to process
even more tension sensitive materials but
also to increase productivity, to improve
easiness of maintenance and conditions
of operation.
With this seventh generation of jumbo
spooling lines, the French company is now
offering a complete range of solutions
to process efficiently the always larger
range of materials for AHP, light, heavy,
lofty, embossed or three-dimensional
perforated, with different configurations
to perfectly match production needs and
capacities, environment and, of course, a
customer’s budget.
www.spoolex.com

Technology Transfer Services

Technology Transfer Services, Inc. (TTS)
was established in 2013 by three industry
veterans to serve the nonwoven and tex-
tile recycling industries with technology
transfer and proprietary developments on
processes and the necessary specific equip-
ment for complete process lines or system
upgrades. As consultants, they provide the
expertise to develop new concepts and ad-
vise in the implementation of process pa-
rameters or provide technical assistance in
developing advanced process techniques
and product specifications.
Beginning in 2017, Technology Transfer
Services established a relationship with
Cormatex, S.r.l of Montemurlo (Prato) – It-
aly for exclusive representation in the U.S.
and Canada for their complete lines in the
nonwoven and woolen industries. Provid-
ing complete nonwoven production lines
including fiber opening and blending sys-
tems, fine openers, card feeding systems,
high production cards & crosslappers, airlay
systems, cutting and wind-up systems. In
addition, Cormatex has two pilot line facili-
ties available for customers to run trials with
their own fibers and produce samples under
© 2018 Sonobond Ultrasonics
Sonobond’s SeamMaster® Ultrasonic Sewing
Machines have proven to be easier to use
and more reliable than traditional sewing
machines or adhesive methods.
Our units produce bonded seams without stitch holes and
glue gaps so medical gowns, face masks, shirts and caps
can meet tough OSHA requirements for barrier seams. They
use a rotary system to create ultra-soft edges for surgical
wipes and wound dressings.
Cutting, sealing and lint-free trimming are completed in
one pass—at speeds up to four times faster than sewing
machines and ten times faster than adhesives machines.
Sonobond is the premier manufacturer of ultrasonic
machines for the synthetic textile field. Contact us today
for more information or to arrange for free sample bonds
using your own material.
1191 McDermott Drive, West Chester PA 19380
Phone: 800-323-1269 • 610-696-4710
Fax: 610-692-0674
Web: www.SonobondUltrasonics.com
E-mail: Sales@SonobondUltrasonics.com

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 67

46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 67 8/1/18 11:42 AM

 Teknoweb Converting
IMA, the parent company of Teknoweb Converting, finalized
two important acquisitions during the last month.
CIEMME, a company which manufactures end-of-line
machines and, in particular, robotic solutions such as lid ap-
plicators for wet wipes packs; and TMC, which is active in
manufacturing case packers and bundlers for tissue and the
disposables industry.
With these latest acquisitions, Teknoweb is able to de-
liver complete solutions integrating machines from compa-
nies belonging to the same group. Therefore, it strengthens
Teknoweb’s position as the leader in providing solutions to the
wet wipes industry.
From a technical point of view, Teknoweb has introduced
new stackers for flat folding lines. Using its proprietary, fully
servo-driven stackers, Teknoweb is now able to produce up
to 250 packs/minute of typical baby wipe count packs, with a
folder including only 20 or 24 lanes.
Additionally, Teknoweb has introduced improvements to its
already state-of-the-art unwinders. Extremely delicate materi-
als require a highly precise control of tension. Teknoweb deliv-
ers it by proprietary and unique tension-controlled unwinders
for baby wipes, wet toilet tissue, and cosmetic wipes. These
unwinders create LAP splices at up to 170 m/min without op-
erator intervention or line speed reduction. Through these in-
novative unwinders and unique characteristics of the ribbon
formers, Teknoweb is able to process dispersible substrates
easily and efficiently without any backlash on the operation.
Another important innovation is related to crossfolding ma-
chines. Teknoweb’s EXIGE 4 includes two individual cut and
fold units. The key characteristic is that they are completely
independent and autonomous. When one module is down, the
other keeps running. This dramatically increases production
efficiency.
www.teknowebconverting.com
Tidland
In 1951, Bob Tidland designed what would become the first air
shaft on a cocktail napkin in Camas, Washington. More than
60 years later, Tidland strives to build products that are durable,
designed for easy use and engineered for reliable, long-lasting
operation. This experience has led to the development of the in-
dustry’s most effective winding and slitting systems.
www.maxcessintl.com/tidland
Truetzschler Nonwovens
With the latest developments, Truetzschler Nonwovens targets
nonwoven producers’ requirements concerning productivity and
flexibility. The high-speed NCT card is designed for high-capacity
hydroentangling (spunlacing) lines with speeds of up to 300 m/
min at the winder. The main feature is an enlarged carding area
which allows for higher throughput, better blending performance
and higher process stability. Having been introduced last year,
68 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
46-68 Machinery Review 0818rev.indd 68
the card now is now being thoroughly tested in various produc-
tion lines.
Truetzschler Nonwovens and cooperation partner Voith have
been refining their wet-laid and spunlaced (WLS) technology.
Some months ago a special feature Voith-Truetzschler line for
this type of nonwoven has been inaugurated in Dimona, Israel.
Albaad’s sophisticated choice of WLS core machinery and ad-
ditional components allows for a large product range including
flushable wipes. The requirement of enhanced flexibility also ap-
plies to the recent WLS project of Polish EcoWipes. Voith and Tru-
etzschler will implement a non-standard configuration including
a Truetzschler Nonwovens card. This innovative line concept will
be able to produce both wet-laid/spunlaced and carded/spun-
laced materials.
www.truetzschler.de
Tsujikawa
Dedicated to providing its customers a traditional Japanese ap-
proach to customer service, Tsujikawa focused on growing its
production network around Asia with two factories expanding in
2018.
Tsujikawa’s Bengaluru, India, factory is now producing a full
range of super-high precision rotary tools inside India. The fac-
tory opened in 2016, operating as a repair center serving custom-
ers in India. With the arrival of all necessary imported production
machinery in 2018, the factory is now equipped to produce all
tools locally. The factory is currently shipping all sizes of rotary die
cutters, embossing rolls, anvil rolls, and many other tools for use
in nonwoven and hygiene production.
Established earlier in 2018, Tsujikawa’s newest factory in Ho
Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has started operations as a repair cen-
ter for super-high precision rotary machinery in the region. The
center will continue to develop along with the domestic market
in Vietnam to support growing production of multinational and
local companies.
www.tsujikawa.co.jp/en
Valley Roller
Founded in 1984 to service the paper converting industry in the
Fox River Valley of northeast Wisconsin, today the Valley Roller
Company has evolved into a leader in the North American roll
business servicing a wide range of industries from pulp and paper
to tissue.
www.maxcessintl.com/valley-roller
Webex
It all began as an idea in 1972 to construct idler rolls for a lo-
cal consumer goods company in the Fox River Valley of Neenah,
WI. More than 40 years later, Webex is an industry leader with
a solid reputation for understanding the needs of its customers,
engineering the right solution and providing the highest quality
precision rolls in the industry.
www.maxcessintl.com/webex n
8/1/18 11:42 AM
 August 2018

Literature
Showcase
The following pages offer new brochures and product information
from companies advertising in this section. To receive a particular
brochure or more information on a product, please contact each
company directly.

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 69

NON0818litshowcase.indd 69 7/30/18 3:05 PM

 www.acelli.it
Atex group has the capability to produce:
• Spunbond polypropylene in a wide range of
weights, colors and treatments tailored to meet
customer requirements.

MORE THAN WINDING • Meltblowns and meltblown composites, in a

wide range of weights, colors and treatments for
wipes, medical, filtration and oils sorbent markets.
ATEX group has manufacturing facilities in Europe
(Milan, Italy) and in North America (Georgia, USA).
WINDING & ROLL PRINTING LAMINATION SPOOLING MEDICAL
SLITTING HANDLING & LINES TREATMENT
PACKAGING LINES
Top performing winding and slitting machinery is of fundamen-
tal importance to ensure roll good producers meet the highest
market quality specifications in terms of rolls density, profile
and tension to preserve fabric value created upstream. www.Atex-spun.com – Info@Atex-USA.COM
pantone 2727 C pantone 286 C pantone 255 C pantone 281 C pantone 334 C nero 70% nero 30%

We employ state-of-the-art technology

to achieve the highest manufacturing
standards.
We are responsive to market demand
ACN lit show.indd 1 and fully dedicated to our job.
New Life of Flexibility
B8-W Grey is the GDM solution to improve the flexibility of
your baby diapers production with your needs in minds.
09/01/18 13:06

The superior quality of Fameccanica is B8-W Grey Thanks to our patented Linear
in every component of our products. New life of flexibility Motion and E-cam technologies,
Technology Inside: that’s why we deliver with only one equipment you
benchmark solutions to our market. will manage multiple sizes and
OUR EVERYDAY MISSION: product lengths, matching your
NON STOP INNOVATION shelf availability and cost control
needs.
We employ state-of-the-art technology to achieve the highest manufacturing
standards.
FAMECCANICA.DATA S.p.A.
We are responsive to market demand and fully dedicated to our job.
tel. +39-085-4553480
The superior quality of Fameccanica is in every component of our products.
Visit us
Technology Inside: that's why we deliver benchmark solutions to our market.
fax +39-085-4553438
OUR EVERYDAY MISSION: NON STOP INNOVATION
www.fameccanica.com
www.fameccanica.com
www.gdm-spa.com
The new GDM solution to improve the flexibility of your baby diapers production with your needs in mind.
Four production sizes with minimized changeover time and low operational cost, thanks to patented solutions with
linear motion technology combined with E-cam applicator units and variable diameter die cutter stations.

A Cut Above the Rest

B8-W Grey, smart manufacturing ready.

PERFORMANCE FLEXIBILITY SCALABILITY

ICD designs dies and cutting stations for the

www.gdm-spa.com

GDM is part of Coesia, a group of innovation-based industrial and packaging

solutions companies operating globally, headquartered in Bologna, Italy.

Nonwoven industry, starting with either your

www.coesia.com

product drawing or by reverse engineering

your existing equipment.
• Roll diameters up to 30”
• Pattern width up to 50”
• Overall length up to 125”
• Premium Steel/Tungsten Carbide
• Cutting Stations - new and re-configured.
We manufacture for
ALL MACHINE LINES
Recondition dies & anvils from
ANY SUPPLIER
This is why ICD continues to stand
International Cutting Die, Inc. “a cut above the rest.”
Call: 708-343-3333
Website: www.icd-inc.com

NON0818litshowcase.indd 70 7/30/18 3:05 PM

 www.sdtaipeng.com
E-mail: song@sdtaipeng.com

Induction Heated Jacket Rolls®

Tokuden specializes in manufacturing
energy-efficient and environmentally
clean Induction Heated Jacket Rolls®
for use in high-precision thermal
processes including High-Tempera-
ture Soft and Hard Nip Calendering.
All rolls are custom-designed to meet
the client’s specific needs, thereby
delivering greater productivity and
efficiency.

Tokuden, Inc.
Michael Rice, General Manager
2909 Langford Rd., A-100 | Norcross, GA 30071
Phone: (770) 449-3625 | Fax: (770) 449-3742
E-Mail: inq@tokuden.com
www.tokuden.com

NON0818litshowcase.indd 71 7/30/18 3:05 PM

 Supplier
News
Andritz to Buy Xerium
A
ndritz headquartered in Graz, Austria, announces that it
has signed a merger agreement to acquire Xerium Tech-
nologies, Inc., headquartered in Youngsville, NC.
Andritz will acquire Xerium for $13.50 per share in cash, in a
transaction valued at approximately $833 million, including net
financial liabilities of approximately $590 million. Xerium’s com-
mon stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker XRM.
The agreement, which has been unanimously approved by Xe-
rium’s Board of Directors, is subject to the approval of Xerium’s
shareholders and the satisfaction of customary closing condi-
tions, including applicable regulatory approvals. Shareholders
representing approximately 20% of Xerium’s outstanding com-
mon stock have entered into an agreement to vote in favor of the
merger. Closing is expected in the second half of 2018.
Xerium is a global manufacturer and supplier of machine
clothing (forming fabrics, press felts, drying fabrics) and roll cov-
ers for paper, tissue, and board machines, including maintenance
and aftermarket services. With its Smart technology, the company
provides a sophisticated digital software tool to optimize pressing
performance by means of sensors integrated into the roll covers.
Xerium has around 2850 employees and operates more than
28 production facilities worldwide, including a site in Gloggnitz,
Austria. In 2017, the company generated annual sales of $481
million and an EBITDA of $85 million, or $100 million adjusted
for extraordinary effects.
Wolfgang Leitner, president & CEO of Andritz, says: “With Xe-
rium, we will be acquiring a high-tech global supplier provid-
ing essential services and wear parts to the paper industry. The
acquisition fits squarely with our long-term strategy to execute
complementary acquisitions and to grow our aftermarket busi-
ness with its stable source of revenue and earnings.”
www.andritz.com
GDM Offers High-Speed Baby Open Diaper Line
GDM is a worldwide leader in the hygiene disposable industry,
committed to provide innovative converting and packaging solu-
tions for baby open diapers, baby pants, adult incontinence briefs
and lady sanitary napkins.
Thanks to their 30 years of experience in the industry, GDM’s
product portfolio has been developed focusing on customer’s
needs in terms of:
• Performance - prioritizing the overall equipment effec-
tiveness
• Flexibility - minimizing size change activities impact
• Scalability - lines designed for customers interested in the
evolution of production capacity or product development
• Innovation - for customers willing to jointly invest in pro-
72 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
72-73 Suppliers 0818 rev.indd 72
prietary solutions on the very edge of technology
New solutions are continuously being designed by GDM to
provide a competitive advantage to customers, strengthening
their position on global and local markets.
Among them, B10-W Red is the GDM high-speed baby open
diaper line with production capacity up to 1000 ppm: it delivers
premium quality products, ensuring machine performance opti-
mization and the lowest Total Cost of Ownership, through GDM
cost effective and proven solutions, such as the Wings product
design and the Extra Thin Core formation process.
The extensive use of linear motors and e-cams, representing
the highest expression of GDM technological flexibility, allows
the savings of more than €1 million per year on product cost,
maximizing customer’s competitive capability for high produc-
tion volumes.
During the GDM Innovation Week 2018 open house, guests
had the opportunity to learn more about B10-W Red and the latest
technological innovations and solutions as part of their expertise.
All are welcome to live the GDM experience through the event
3D Virtual Tour: contact them at info.it@gdm-spa.it.
www.gdm-spa.com
Chase Machine Adds to Ultrasonics Range
Chase Machine and Engineering has introduced the latest prod-
uct to its ultrasonic sealing family, the OTA.
Designed for maximum access for tough to handle, three-di-
mensional shaped products, the OTA offers end users full visibil-
ity, and control of the product being welded.
The extended post provides mounting features for custom
folders, guides or any other device that aid in positioning the
product prior to welding.
The OTA will be on display at Filtration 2018 in Philadelphia,
PA, October 3-4.
www.chasemachine.com
7/30/18 4:02 PM
 Barnhardt Introduces System for Cleaner Purified
Cotton
Barnhardt Natural Fibers Group has recognized the ever-in-
creasing need for cleaner purified cotton for applications such as
very lightweight nonwovens purposed for hygiene products and
wipes for personal and baby care.
To respond to the market demands, Barnhardt has developed
an innovative, state-of-the-art technology termed as their EVOC
system (Enhanced Visual, Opening, Cleaning system), which ad-
dresses even the most discerning applications for 100% cotton
nonwovens. Investments made by the Barnhardt team in their
EVOC system addresses removal of contaminants inherent in
cotton as a natural fiber.
Barnhardt has been a long-term supplier of Purified Cotton
going into critical medical care, feminine care and consumer care
products for many years with a demonstrated history of safety.
The EVOC system has allowed Barnhardt to respond to market
demands for the cleanest Purified Cotton available globally.
www.barnhardt.net
Bicma Offers Range of Hygiene Machinery
Bicma Hygiene Technologie GmbH is a high-quality German
machine manufacturer, recognized for top expertise and in-
novation for almost 25 years. The acquisition of BICMA by
Winkler+Dünnebier GmbH (W+D) in February 2018 marked the
merger of two important brands in hygiene engineering. W+D
is part of the Barry-Wehmiller Group, a steadily growing Ameri-
can $3 billion company with worldwide operations. As a member
of this large family, BICMA can enjoy promising perspectives of
growth and investments in the years to come.
BICMA designs and supplies machines for baby diapers,
feminine care products, adult diapers, bladder control pads for
incontinence, bed underpads, meatpads, pet pads and special-
ized products. Its portfolio comprises compact high-speed multi-
functional machines for high capacity production, but also eco-
nomical medium-speed machines for business starters.
Besides complete machines, Bicma is specialist for upgrading
existing machines with new features to enhance machine effi-
ciency and product design.
Bicma provides worldwide first-class service, including ma-
chine start-up, operator training, spare parts, remote tele trouble-
shooting and service technicians. Bicma machines are in opera-
tion in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, the Middle
East, and Eastern and Western Europe.
Machine design and software are created exclusively by Bicma.
Commercial components are chosen from branded, well-known
suppliers. Specialized parts are produced according to Bicma’s
own drawings by a network of select, excellent manufacturing
companies, nearly all of them in Europe.
In today’s fast-changing world, Bicma offers long-term part-
nerships as a solid company with strong partners and with a fo-
cus on permanent innovation, high quality and top reliability.
www.bicma.com
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 73
72-73 Suppliers 0818 rev.indd 73
NDC Launches New Laminating Machine
NDC Company is now offering the TB2400 Turret Hot Melt
Breathable Materials Coating Laminating Machine, which is
used in the manufacture of disposable medical sheets, dis-
posable medical breathable isolation cloth and disposable
sanitary laminating materials. Coating width is 2400mm. Its
maximum line speed is up to 200m/min with non-stop un-
winder and rewinder.
www.ndccn.com/en/index.php
Peixin Offers New Baby Diaper Line
Peixin’s full-servo elastic back ear baby diaper production line is
highly automated, with a number of intelligent features to ensure
smooth operation. It features a user-friendly PLC interface op-
eration system that collects statistics for record.
Services such as online testing, dimensional control systems,
and video inspection system are equipped to ensure close sur-
veillance during manufacturing, and avoid sudden breakdowns
that interfere with the production line.
Furthermore, Peixin’s equipment abides by the CE standard,
with electric parts fulfilling CE and UL quality certification.
www.peixin.com
Brückner Opens Bavarian Facility
On June 23, the new production facility of Brückner, a mar-
ket leader in dry finishing machines for textiles and technical
textiles, was officially opened in Tittmoning, Bavaria. Repre-
sentatives from politics, the church, banks and industry were
present when Regina Brückner inaugurated the new, gener-
ously dimensioned production plant together with Dr. Pe-
ter Ramsauer, former Minister of Transport and approx. 800
other guests.
“Our old factory simply became too small. Increased in-
coming orders and ever-increasing demands on machine
sizes and delivery dates were the reason for planning a new
plant in 2014. We were not able to start construction until
November 2016, as many hurdles in the approval process and
with regard to nature conservation had to be overcome in
advance. With the new plant with 25,000 m² of production
space and a spacious office wing, we will continue to meet
the high expectations of our customers in the future. The
possibility of producing components with a height of up to
12 m and a working width of up to 8.80 m offers us great po-
tential for the future. Our employees are also pleased about
the new, more spacious workplaces, more effective logistics
and more powerful lifting gear. With a large number of new,
highly automated processing machines, we are in a position
to manufacture and supply even larger machines as before,
and we will also be able to increase our delivery volume and
significantly shorten delivery times,” emphasized Brückner in
her address.
www.brueckner.com n
7/30/18 4:02 PM
 New
Products

Gelok Launches Absorbent Core

G
elok International has launched a new range of airlaid
absorbent cores under the brand name TotalCore to
complement its current portfolio of ultra-thin absor-
bent laminate cores used in feminine hygiene, adult inconti-
nence, wound care and food tray pads. The new TotalCore airlaid
product range will be manufactured on state-of-the-art airlaid
equipment in the new production facility at its Dunbridge, OH,
headquarters.
The TotalCore range of airlaid cores will cover all facets of
absorption of aqueous fluids, from rapid acquisition through
distribution to storage. The cores are supersoft and fast wick-
ing with minimal re-wets, making them ideal for applications
in feminine hygiene, incontinence, underpads, food pads and
wound care. Each absorbent core will be custom designed to
meet a customer’s exact needs and will be available in master
roll format, pancake rolls or festooned.
Yes To Introduces Bubbling Mask
Natural beauty products company Yes To has added Single
Use Bubbling Paper Masks and Mask Removing Wipes to is
range of facial care products.
The Yes To Single Use Bubbling Paper Masks are the first-
ever natural paper masks that start bubbling on contact
to help infuse skin with oxygen to purify and deep clean.
Formulated with natural ingredients and oxygen to help
remove the nasties, calm, hydrate and energize skin, these
single use masks leave skin replenished, refreshed, dewy
soft and glowing.
The masks are available in five formulations: Yes To Tomatoes
Anti-Pollution Detoxifying Charcoal Bubbling Paper Mask, Yes
To Cucumbers Calm-
ing Bubbling Paper
Mask, Yes To Coconut
Energizing Coffee
Bubbling Paper Mask,
Yes To Grapefruit Vita-
min C Glow-Boosting
Bubbling Paper Mask
and Yes To Tomatoes
Acne Fighting Bub-
bling Paper Mask.
Yes To Single Use
Bubbling Paper Masks
are available at Target
and Ulta for $3.99
each.
Meanwhile, the Yes
To Mask Removing
Wipes are available in the two top-selling Yes To Wipe franchis-
es: Detoxifying Charcoal and Calming Cucumber. The luxurious,
unique, thick cloth-like material is super absorbent and gently
wipes away all types of face masks, leaving skin refreshed.
Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mask Removing
Wipes are infused with charcoal, which is a natural detoxifier
and impurity remover to deep clean skin, and tomatoes are a
natural source of antioxidants. The Yes To Cucumbers Calming
Mask Removing Wipes help calm and nourish sensitive skin.
Yes To Mask Removing Wipes are available at Target and
Ulta for $2.99 for five wipes.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö Expands Offerings to Turbine
Blades Market
Ahlstrom-Munksjö introduced HighFlow, an innovative fabric
which optimizes resin infusion permeability, helping designers
and manufacturers deliver better, lightweight turbine blades.
As blades become larger and laminates thicker, the infu-
sion process becomes critical. Ahlstrom-Munksjö HighFlow
is a solution.
”We are very pleased to introduce Ahlstrom-Munksjö
HighFlow to the wind energy industry today” states Pekka
Helynranta, vice president, Building and Wind. “As blades
are getting longer and laminates thicker, resin infusibility is
becoming more critical; HighFlow Wind Energy delivers un-
rivalled resin infusion, minimizes air voids and reduces total
cost of ownership by up to 15%. We believe that this new
fabric will become the product of choice as trend towards
longer blades and thicker laminates further develops in this
industry.”
HighFlow Wind Energy is the first product launch from the
HighFlow platform, a range of high performance reinforce-
ment fabrics designed to deliver unrivalled performance for
lightweight composite materials.
“We now have the expertise to develop reinforcement fabrics
with customized infusion speeds, without limitation of fabric
construction or weight. This opens up clear opportunities in
wind energy but also in other composite applications where
improved and tailor made resin infusibility constitutes a clear
benefit. We are already exploring applications outside of wind
energy and are planning to launch Highflow products to other
markets shortly,” concludes Helynranta.
The HighFlow Wind Energy product range consists at this
point of several unidirectional and biaxial reinforcement
fabrics with various infusion speeds for wind turbine blade
manufacturing. They are currently available in E and High
Modulus glassfiber versions and will be available in carbon
version very shortly. n

74 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

74New Products 0818rev.indd 74 8/1/18 10:15 AM

 People
PF Nonwovens Announces Board Changes
P
F Nonwovens, formerly Pegas
Nonwovens, announced that
Marian Rašík resigned from the
position of Member of the Board of Di-
rectors of PF Nonwovens on July 13.
The Supervisory Board approved his
resignation effective July 16. Rašík held
his position on the company’s Board
of Directors from March 1, 2010, and
now he will fully focus on his position
of chief financial officer for the entire
PF Nonwovens Group at the level of PF
Nonwovens Holding s.r.o.
The company furthermore announc-
es that the Supervisory Board elected
Mr. Allen Bodford as member of the
board of directors effective as of July 17
for a functional period of three years.
Bodford is concurrently the chief execu-
tive officer for the entire PF Nonwovens
Group at the level of PF Nonwovens
Holding s.r.o.
Southeast Nonwovens Founder
to Retire
Steven F. Nielsen, co-founder of South-
east Nonwovens, has announced his
retirement.
Nielsen began his nonwoven jour-
ney with Manning Paper Company. It
is here that he learned how to make
specialty papers and wet-lay nonwo-
vens. Eight years later he was recruited
by Celanese to help develop polyester
fiber for wet-lay nonwovens. One of
the primary activities was the creation
of a wet-lay pilot line as a marketing
tool. Here Nielsen worked with poten-
tial customers to develop new products
using Celanese polyester fiber. This was
to become the genesis of the idea for
SENW.
After the merger of Celanese with
Hoechst AG, Nielsen was recruited to
take a position in the newly formed
Innovation Group who were charged
with developing new businesses for the
corporation. There he led two different
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 75
75 People 0818rev.indd 75
teams through the stage-gate process velopment manager for the same di-
from conception to commercialization. vision within the company. He has 12
In 1995, Hoechst AG started a di- years of technical sales experience, and
vestment program which included the had been with Thrace Linq since 2016.
Fibers, Films and Chemicals divisions.
Rather than move with the newly di- BST Adds to Sales Team
vested entities, the idea of combining Kim Hocking has been appointed re-
the experience working with custom- gional sales manager for BST North
ers to develop new products with his America, Inc., at the company‘s offices
knowledge of new business develop- in Elmhurst, IL, to provide technical
ment was far more attractive. It was sales support for BST’s innovative lines
time to start what was to become of 100% inspection, surface inspection,
SENW. video web inspection, color monitoring,
With the decision made, Nielsen register control and process monitoring
called one of his friends at Manning systems.
Paper, Bryan Thomas. Thomas was also
keen on the idea of starting a privately-
owned R&D company for nonwovens.
A few months later in October of 1997,
Southeast Nonwovens, Inc. was born.
The past 21 years as president of
Southeast Nonwovens has been filled
with interesting and stimulating chal-
lenges as Nielsen watched the industry
evolve. “I’ve enjoyed every day. I es-
pecially enjoyed meeting and working
with so many of the great people as-
sociated with the nonwovens industry,”
Nielsen says. “The time at SENW has
been a great experience I would not
trade for anything. At this stage in my
career and time in my life I’ve done all
I set out to do at SENW. I want to see Kim Hocking
the company continue and prosper so I
believe it’s time for some new blood to
come aboard. Bryan will take over the Previously serving as an aftermarket
day to day leadership activities as presi- sales engineer with Paper Converting
dent. I know he will do a great job.” Machine Corporation, Hocking brings
Nielsen remains a major share-hold- to his new position over 30 years of ex-
er and chairman of the board of South- perience in various technical support
east Nonwovens. He will be working on roles, including applications engineer,
special projects in an advisory role. electrical engineer and technical sales
engineer, as well as engineering, cus-
Thrace Linq Promotes Buck tomer and field services management.
Thrace Linq announced that Matt Buck Hocking will directly support both cus-
has accepted the position of director of tomers and BST sales personnel in serv-
sales for Performance Materials. ing printing, converting and packaging
Formerly, Buck served as market de- firms throughout North America. n
7/30/18 4:03 PM
 ­Patent
Review
A look at recently issued patents
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,308
Absorbent Menstrual Cup: Chante
Knox, Alpharetta, GA.
Filed: 3/26/15
Issued: 7/10/18
A menstrual fluid collection device com-
prising: a. a flexible rim, said flexible rim
having an inner surface and an outer sur-
face; and b. a reservoir of three or more
layers attached to the flexible rim includ-
ing an inner layer of a porous material,
at least one middle layer of an absorbent
material, and an outer layer of a non-ab-
sorbent material; i. the inner layer bond-
ed to the middle layer; ii. the middle layer
bonded to the outer layer; c. whereby the
layers form a single-piece structure with-
out gaps.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,311
Elastic Contained Within a Jointly
Folded Top Cover and Bottom Cover
and Process of Making: Adrienne
Loyd, Neenah, WI. Assigned to Kimber-
ly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI.
Filed: 12/5/02
Issued: 7/10/18
An article comprising: a liquid-perme-
able top cover; a liquid-impermeable
bottom cover; an absorbent first element
enclosed by the top cover and the bottom
cover; and a first shaping element where-
in the top cover and the bottom cover
are folded over the first shaping element,
and wherein at least one of the top cover
and the bottom cover includes a terminal
edge under the article.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,312
Method of Treating a Web Using an Ap-
paratus Having a Center Bearer Ring:
Michael Lee Lohoff, Oshkosh, WI. As-
signed to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc., Neenah, WI.
Filed: 7/23/14
Issued: 7/10/18
A method of treating a web comprising:
directing a web toward an apparatus for
76 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
76-78 Patents 0818rev.indd 76
treating the web, the apparatus compris-
ing a first roller and a second roller ar-
ranged relative to the first roller to define
a nip for receiving the web; rotating the
first roller of the apparatus in a first direc-
tion, the first roller including two ends, a
length extending between the two ends,
at least one raised area adapted to treat
the web, and at least one bearer ring, the
at least one bearer ring extending around
the circumference of the first roller and
disposed generally at a center of the first
roller; rotating the second roller of the
apparatus in a second direction, the sec-
ond direction being opposite to the first
direction; applying a force to at least one
of the first and second rollers such that
the at least one bearer ring contacts the
second roller with at least 500 pounds per
linear inch of pressure; and feeding the
web to the nip of the apparatus such that
the web is contacted by the at least one
raised area on the first roller.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,313
Method for Folding Absorbent Articles:
Ran Chen, Guangzhou, China; and Yize
Fang, Hangzhou, China. Assigned to
The Procter & Gamble Company, Cin-
cinnati, OH.
Filed: 6/11/15
Issued: 7/10/18
A method for folding an article along a
transversal first fold line and a transversal
second fold line of the article, the article
having a leading end portion, a trailing
end portion, and a central portion con-
necting the leading end portion and the
trailing end portion in a longitudinal di-
rection, the method comprising: a) trans-
porting the article to a first fold means by
a first pathway comprising a first convery
system, b) folding the leading end por-
tion of the article transported by the first
pathway along the first fold line to form
a first folded article and delivering the
first folded article to a second pathway
comprising a second convey system by
the first fold means, c) transporting the
first folded article to a second fold means
by the second pathway, d) folding the
trailing end portion of the first folded ar-
ticle along the second fold line to form a
second folded article and delivering the
second folded article to a third pathway
comprising a third convey system by the
second fold means, and e) transport-
ing the second folded article by the third
pathway, wherein the first fold means is
located in a finishing end side of the first
pathway in a machine direction and the
second fold means is located in a finish-
ing end side of the second pathway in
the machine direction, wherein the first
folded article is transported with an angle
of moving direction change no higher
than 45 degrees, wherein the second
pathway has a length that and the article
has a length, and wherein the length of
the second length is greater than or equal
to the length of the article but no longer
than three meters.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,314
Apparatus and Method for Manufac-
turing Absorbent Articles: Joseph Al-
len Eckstein, Sunman, IN; and Uwe
Schneider, Cincinnati, OH. Assigned to
The Procter & Gamble Company, Cin-
cinnati, OH.
Filed: 3/10/15
Issued: 7/10/18
A method for loading material on an
unwinding apparatus comprising the
steps of: providing a mandrel includ-
ing a proximal end portion and a dis-
tal end portion, wherein the mandrel is
adjacent to a frame, and wherein a por-
tion of the mandrel is associated with a
mandrel support member; supporting a
first spool on the mandrel, the first spool
comprising a first core and a first strand
of material wound around the first core,
and wherein the first core is adapted to
receive the mandrel; providing a second
spool comprising a second core and a
7/30/18 4:05 PM
 second strand of material wound around
the second core; placing the second spool
onto a loading shaft including a proxi-
mal end portion and a distal end portion,
wherein the second core is adapted to re-
ceive the loading shaft; slidably engaging
the loading shaft with the mandrel; dis-
associating the mandrel support member
from the mandrel; moving the second
spool axially along the support shaft
and onto the mandrel; reassociating the
support member with the mandrel; and
disengaging the loading shaft from the
mandrel; wherein the mandrel support
member comprises an arm pivotally con-
nected with the frame, and wherein the
step of disassociating the mandrel sup-
port member from the mandrel further
comprises pivoting the arm.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,315
Wearable Apparatus for Detecting a
Target Substance in a Liquid: Nicolas
Letourneau, Raleigh, NC; Aly Khalifa,
Raleigh, NC; Michael Gorczynski, Ra-
leigh, NC; Catherina Gomes, Raleigh,
NC; Ronald Smith, Raleigh, NC; Sarah
Paluskiewicz, Raleigh, NC; Stephen
Gray, Raleigh, NC; and Tyler Confrey-
Maloney, Raleigh, NC. Assigned to Un-
dercover Colors, Inc., Raleigh, NC.
Filed: 3/3/17
Issued: 7/10/18
An artificial fingernail comprising: a
housing having an arcuate cross section
and comprising an internal volume com-
prising an upper arcuate surface spaced
apart from a lower arcuate surface by a
thickness, such that the internal volume
comprises a substantially arcuate cross-
section; a detection layer comprising a
lateral flow assay and disposed within
the internal volume, wherein the detec-
tion layer comprises upper and lower
surfaces having substantially the same
arcuate curvature as the upper and lower
arcuate surfaces of the internal volume,
wherein the detection layer further com-
prises substantially the same thickness as
the internal volume; a sample port po-
sitioned on the housing to permit fluid
communication between a fluid external
to the housing and the lateral flow assay;
August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 77
76-78 Patents 0818rev.indd 77
and an absorbent pad comprising first
and second ends and a middle region be-
tween the first and second ends, wherein
the middle region is in fluid communica-
tion with the lateral flow assay, wherein
the lateral flow assay comprises a first
longitudinal axis from a first end to a
second end of the lateral flow assay that
defines a first flow direction, wherein
the absorbent pad comprises a second
longitudinal axis from a first point in the
middle region to the second end of the
absorbent pad, wherein the second lon-
gitudinal axis defines a second flow direc-
tion, and wherein the first flow direction
is substantially opposite the second flow
direction.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,316
Disposable Diaper: Satoru Sakaguchi,
Kanonji, Japan; Yasuhiro Yamana-
ka, Kanonji, Japan; and Kana Sawa,
Kanonji, Japan. Assigned to Unicharm
Corporation, Ehime, Japan.
Filed: 9/27/13
Issued: 7/10/18
A disposable diaper, comprising: a front
waistline region; a rear waistline region;
a crotch region positioned between the
front waistline region and the rear waist-
line region; a pair of leg hole openings;
an absorber spanning the crotch region
and extending to the front waistline re-
gion and the rear waistline region;
a product longitudinal direction ex-
tending from the front waistline region
to the rear waistline region; a product
widthwise direction perpendicular to
the product longitudinal direction; and
a stretchable crotch stretching unit dis-
posed in a region in which the absorber
is arranged in the crotch region, wherein
the crotch stretching unit has a front end
closer to the front waistline region, and
a rear end closer to the rear waistline re-
gion, designs that are visually recogniz-
able from a non-skin contact surface side
of the disposable diaper span the crotch
region and extend to the front waistline
region and the rear waistline region, the
design provided closer to the front waist-
line region is arranged differently from
the design provided closer to the rear
waistline region to visually indicate the
front end of the crotch stretching unit or
the rear end of the crotch stretching unit,
the crotch stretching unit overlaps an
area of the absorber in a product thick-
ness direction crossing the product lon-
gitudinal direction and the product width
direction, and the crotch stretching unit
is configured to contract in the product
widthwise direction to cause the area of
the absorber to be constricted.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,317
Pull-on Disposable Wearing Article:
Tatsuya Hashimoto, Kanonji, Japan;
and Tetsuo Okubo, Kanonji, Japan.
Assigned to Unicharm Corporation,
Ehime, Japan.
Filed: 2/19/14
Issued: 7/10/18
A pull-on disposable wearing article,
comprising: a longitudinal direction and
a transverse direction, a skin-facing sur-
face and a non-skin-facing surface, a
front waist region, a rear waist region,
a crotch region extending between the
front and rear waist regions, a front waist
panel defining the front waist region, a
rear waist panel defining the rear waist
region, a crotch panel defining the crotch
region, and an absorbent structure at-
tached to the skin-facing surface at the
crotch panel and extending across the
crotch region into the front and rear waist
regions, wherein the front waist panel
has a front elastic region and a front in-
elastic region, the front elastic region and
the front inelastic region overlapping the
absorbent structure, the rear waist panel
has a rear elastic region not overlapping
the absorbent structure, and a rear in-
elastic region overlapping the absorbent
structure, the crotch panel has a pair of
elastic side flaps located outside both side
edges of the absorbent structure in the
transverse direction and extending in the
longitudinal direction, each of the elastic
side flaps has front and rear end portions
fixed to the front and rear waist regions,
respectively, so as to extend outward in
the transverse direction, an inelastic re-
gion extending in the longitudinal direc-
tion and located outside the both side
7/30/18 4:05 PM
 ­Patent
Review
edges of the absorbent structure in the
transverse direction, and an elastic region
extending in the longitudinal direction in
parallel with the inelastic region and lo-
cated outside the inelastic region in the
transverse direction, wherein a plurality
of leg elastic elements extending in the
longitudinal direction are extensible and
contractibly arranged in the elastic re-
gion, a ratio of a dimension of the crotch
panel in the transverse direction versus
a dimension of one of the front and rear
waist regions in the transverse direction
is in a range of about 55 to about 70%,
the front waist region has an inner end
portion extending in the transverse direc-
tion along an inner end edge of the front
waist region, and a plurality of first waist
inner end elastic elements extending in
the transverse direction are arranged in
the front elastic region at the inner end
portion of the front waist region, the rear
waist region has an inner end portion ex-
tending in the transverse direction along
an inner end edge of the rear waist re-
gion, and a plurality of second waist in-
ner end elastic elements extending in the
transverse direction are arranged in the
rear elastic region at the inner end por-
tion of the rear waist region, the first and
second waist inner end elastic elements
are arranged so as to be distanced from
each other in the transverse direction, re-
spectively, the first waist inner end elas-
tic elements intersect with the both side
edges of the absorbent structure, and the
second waist inner end elastic elements
are free from intersecting with the both
side edges of the absorbent structure, and
each of the elastic side flaps has an in-
ner end directly joined to the crotch panel
at a joint region outside the absorbent
structure in the transverse direction.
U.S. Patent No. 10,016,318
Absorbent Article with a Bacterial Iso-
lation Pad and Hygienic Gripping Tabs:
Jane Speak, Tequesta, FL.
Filed: 8/26/15
Issued: 7/10/18
An absorbent article for protection
against bacterial contamination compris-
ing: a continuous fluid impermeable liner
78 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
76-78 Patents 0818rev.indd 78
having a front section, a rear section, a
first longitudinal side, a second longitu-
dinal side, a body-facing surface and a
garment-facing surface; a body side cover
layer; a first absorbent core positioned on
said body-facing surface in said front sec-
tion, said first absorbent core constructed
and arranged for capturing urine; a sec-
ond absorbent core positioned on said
body-facing surface in said rear section;
said second absorbent core spaced from
said first absorbent core by a channel; a
U-shaped cut extending through said
liner in the region of said channel, said
U-shaped cut bracketing said second ab-
sorbent core; a plurality of lines of perfo-
rations comprising at least a first line ex-
tending from one side the U-shaped cut
to the first longitudinal side and a second
line extending from the opposite side the
U-shaped cut to the second longitudinal
side; a first gripping tab attached to said
rear section; whereby said second absor-
bent core and a portion of said liner are
configured to be raised and moved to-
wards said front section so as to overlay
said first absorbent core while said liner
remains continuous, said rear section of
said liner and said second absorbent core
configured to be removed by pulling said
first gripping tab causing tearing along
said perforations to avoid bacterial con-
tamination by detaching said rear section
from said front section.
U.S. Patent No. 10,010,455
Bonding and Slitting Device: Adam
Schoultz, Mason, OH; Joseph J. Sina,
Appleton, WI; Marcille Faye Ruman,
Oshkosh, WI; Kathy Irene Bennett,
Neenah, WI; Joseph Daniel Coenen,
Kaukauna, WI; Daniel Marvin Nuss-
baum, Neenah, WI; and Lori Roocks,
Menasha, WI. Assigned to Kimberly-
Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI.
Filed: 3/22/16
Issued: 7/3/18
A bonding and slitting device adapted
to form fin seams in absorbent articles
having a front waist region, a back waist
region, and a crotch region extending be-
tween the front waist region and the back
waist region, the device comprising:
a first bonding member; and a second
bonding member having a contact ele-
ment configured to cooperate with the
first bonding member to bond the front
region to the back region to define the fin
seams, the contact element having an en-
gagement surface and a slitter extending
from the engagement surface, the slitter
being configured to simultaneously act
on material outboard of the bonds from
both the front and back regions.
U.S. Patent No. 10,010,456
Tampon with Penetrating Groove Seg-
ments: David L. Kimball, Fleming-
ton, NJ; Tony C. Ng, East Brunswick,
NJ; and Tara Zedayko, Hillsborough,
NJ. Assigned to Johnson & Johnson
GmbH, Germany.
Filed: 10/7/15
Issued: 7/3/18
A process of forming a compressed tam-
pon pledget having substantially lon-
gitudinal grooves and a predetermined
finished diameter, comprising the steps
of: a. inserting a tampon blank substan-
tially enclosed in a cover into a press
cavity having a central press axis and a
plurality of elongate press dies disposed
about the central press axis, wherein the
tampon blank has a longitudinal axis
that is disposed substantially along the
central press axis; b. performing an ini-
tial compression step by moving into the
press cavity toward the central press axis
a plurality of longitudinal penetrating
dies having pressing faces corresponding
to a plurality of longitudinal groove seg-
ments in the desired compressed tampon
pledget, the penetrating dies including
at least one first penetrating die having
a pressing face corresponding to a de-
sired first groove segment shape and at
least one second penetrating die having
a pressing face corresponding to a second
groove segment shape, to produce a pre-
form having a plurality of substantially
longitudinal grooves interspaced with a
plurality of substantially longitudinal ribs,
wherein i. the first and second groove
segment shapes combine to provide a
groove form on the outer surface of the
compressed tampon pledget. n
7/30/18 4:05 PM
 Calendar
Of Events

Upcoming industry events

September Oct. 10-11

Sept. 4-6 Conference on Nonwovens for High Performance Applications
Cinte Techtextil China Location: Cannes, France
Location: Shanghai, China Venue: Hotel Novotel
Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China Contact: International Newsletters
Contact: Ben Shi Phone: 44(0)8701657210
Phone: +852 2230 9216 Email: marketing@intnews.com
Website: cinte-techtextil-china.hk.messefrankfurt.com
Email: ben.shi@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com Oct. 17-18
Outlook 2018
Sept. 11-13 Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
RISE 2018 Venue: Rixos Libertas Hotel
Location: Raleigh, NC Contact: EDANA, Delphine Rens
Venue: Marriott City Center Phone: +32 2 740 18 22
Contact: INDA Email: delphine.rens@edana.org
Email: info@inda.org Website: www.edana.org
Website: www.inda.org
November
Sept. 18-20 Nov. 5-8
Nonwovens Intermediate Course Hygienix 2018 - The Premier Event for Absorbent Hygiene and
Location: Brussels, Belgium Personal Care Markets
Venue: EDANA Offices Location: Orlando, FL
Contact: Eva Fabbri Venue: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Phone: +32 2 740 18 11 Contact: INDA
Email: eva.fabbri@edana.org Email: info@inda.org;
Website: www.edana.org Website: www.inda.org

Sept. 25-26 Nov. 7-8

Elementary Nonwovens Training Course Absorbent Hygiene Products Training Course
Location: Cary, NC Location: Brussels, Belgium
Venue: INDA Headquarters Venue: EDANA Offices
Contact: INDA Contact: Eva Fabbri
Phone: 919-459-3700 Phone: +32 2 740 18 11
Email: info@inda.org Email: eva.fabbri@edana.org
Website: www.inda.org Website: www.edana.org

October Nov. 7-8

Oct. 2-4 Carding Advanced Course
Filtration International Conference and Exposition Location: Tourcoing, France
Location: Philadelphia, PA Venue: CETI
Venue: Pennsylvania Convention Center Contact: Eva Fabbri
Contact: INDA Phone: +32 2 740 18 11
Email: info@inda.org Email: eva.fabbri@edana.org
Website: www.inda.org Website: www.edana.org n

Send your calendar listings to nonwovens@rodmanmedia.com

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 79

79 Calendar 0818.indd 79 7/30/18 2:31 PM

 Classifieds

FOR SALE: 6 fully functional, custom-built, sonic welding machines with all Dukane equipment
ALLSTATES
WIDTH ANVIL THRUSTER SERIES (15 each) GENERATORS BOOSTERS PRICE TEXTILE MACHINERY, INC.
132” Fine 220 IQ 1.50 $300,000
Buying & Selling USED machinery for fiber
132” Medium 210/220 IQ 1.50 $225,000 manufacturing, nonwovens, & recycling since 1967.
132” Fine 43A255 DPC II/III 1.50 $180,000
View equipment & photos at
132” Medium 43A255 Auto-trac 1.50 $130,000
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Email: info@allstatestextile.com
12-15 position fabric cradle with overhead loading capacity from 2 (two) 1-HP chain hoists on each
machine. Available for full inspection while under operation. Sample runs of desired materials can be
arranged.
Hunter Nonwovens Inc. ● 1277 Armory Rd, Chester SC USA ● hunternonwovens@gmail.com ● 803/385-2300
NONWOVENS RECRUITING
Kimber McFadden
General Manager / Nonwovens &
Industrial Textiles
303-225-0355
Kimber@rushandcompany.com
www.rushandcompany.com
Low Priced SMS & SS – LOWEST!
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80 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018

000NON0818.indd 80 7/26/18 12:39 PM

 Advertising
Index

Company Name Page No. Website

A. Celli Nonwovens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.acellinonwovens.com

Andritz Kusters GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cov. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.andritz.com/nonwovens
BST eltromat International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bst.group
Cellulose Converting Solutions S.P.A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ccsol.it
Chase Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.chasemachine.com
Cotton Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.cottoninc.com
Curt G. Joa, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.joa.com
Dilo Systems GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.dilo.de
Edelmann Technology GmbH & Co. KG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.edelmann-technology.com
Fameccanica.Data SpA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cov. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.fameccanica.com
Fi-Tech Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.fi-tech.com
Fox Converting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.foxconverting.com
Galaxy Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ghccorpgroup.com
GDM SpA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cov. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.gdm-spa.com
HangZhou New Yuhong Intelligent Equipment Co.,Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.yhjg.com
Heng Chang Machinery Company, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.aqhch.com.cn
Hills, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.hillsinc.net
International Cutting Die . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.icd-inc.com
International Knife (Shanghai)Industrial Co., Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.intknife.com
ITW Dynatec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.itwdynatec.com
Kansan Makina A.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.kansanmak.com
Maxcess International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.maxcessintl.com
Mondon SAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.mondon.com
Nan Liu Enterprise Co. Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.nanliugroup.com
NDC Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ndc.com
Nippon Tungsten USA, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.nippontungstenusa.com
Nordson Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.nordsonadhesive.com/nonwovens
Optima Packaging Group GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.optima-nonwovens.com
Osprey Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ospreyfilters.com
Overend Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.overendtech.com
Polyvel Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.polyvel.com
Reicofil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . future.reicofil.com
RKW SE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.rkw-group.com
Shandong TaiPeng ECO-Material Co., LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.sdtaipeng.com
Sonobond Ultrasonics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.sonobondultrasonics.com
Teknoweb Converting s.r.l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.teknowebconverting.com
Union SpA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WEIMA America, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.weimaamerica.com
WEKO - Weitmann & Konrad GmbH & Co KG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.weko.net
Xingshi Equipments Co., Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.xingshi.com.cn

August 2018 www.nonwovens-industry.com NWI • 81

000NON0818.indd 81 7/30/18 3:02 PM

 Company
Cameo
Fibrix, LLC
1820 Evans St., NE
Conover, NC 28613
1-828-459-7064
info@fibrix.com
www.fibrix.com
N
ow in its 50th year, North Carolina-based Fibrix, LLC,
has emerged as a leading manufacturer of nonwoven
fiber solutions in North America, with 10 facilities and
24 production lines.
Over the years, Fibrix has grown both organically and through
acquisition of key facilities and industry players including Cumulus
Fibres, Cameo Fibers, Tupelo Fibers, Buffalo Bat, Leggett & Platt,
Stearns Technical Textiles, Sackner Products, Union Wadding,
Ahlstrom’s Groesbeck and Mexia, TX, facilities, and most recently
the assets of CNI, which included two new thermal bonding lines.
In January 2016, the company announced a corporate name
change from Polyester Fibers to Fibrix, as part of a company-wide
rebranding initiative designed to align the organization’s image
with its emerging global strategy as a top-tier nonwovens manu-
facturer focused on innovation, quality and long-term customer
relationships.
Prior to this, in 2014, the company’s three owners, Darren White,
Dean Cobb, and Keith White, initiated a management buyout of
Polyester Fibers, LLC from the venture capital firm Empire Holdings.
At the time, Darren and Dean were members of Polyester Fibers’
executive management team, and Keith was brought in as president
and CEO.
“We purchased the company because it was already well-run with
long term customers,“ says Keith White.“It was also strategically po-
sitioned in the key markets it served, and had a highly skilled and
experienced labor force.
“We’ve used those core assets to build a high growth company
committed to extraordinary customer service, innovation and em-
ployee engagement over the four years we’ve owned it. It’s been a
fun and exciting adventure.”
Fibrix employs a variety of nonwovens web formation technolo-
82 • NWI www.nonwovens-industry.com August 2018
82 Cameo 0818.indd 82
gies including airlay, card and garnet. Web forming can be in-line or
cross-lapped to provide an expansive range of nonwoven products
and capabilities.
Fibrix’s multi-feed blending systems can produce products made
from a wide range and blend of fibers to provide unique perfor-
mance characteristics tailored to its customers’ needs. It specializes
in synthetic and natural fibers generated from virgin, semi-virgin or
recycled materials.
Fibrix offers a full range of custom fabrication using the latest on-
line slitter and offline cutting technologies. These capabilities include
rolls, mattress pads, cushion pads, strip rolls ranging from 1.5”inches
and wider and vacuum packing.
Fibrix’s three primary markets are air filtration, home furnish-
ings and bedding and retail – craft & seasonal. The company has
witnessed strong growth of 9% in each of these markets over the
last year.
In 2017, the company expanded into residential building materi-
als with innovative new technologies that are replacing fiberglass.
This year, it began full-scale production in home-delivery pharma-
ceutical and food insulated packaging where it’s replacing outdated
and non-recyclable materials such as styrofoam and urethane foam.
In the future, the company is looking to expand its manufacturing
footprint in the pleat media air filtration and the home furnishings
and bedding markets, through the purchase of new equipment and
the acquisition of established companies.
“Although the industry faces challenges in the form of uncertain
trade policies, rising freight costs, and a strained labor market, we are
experiencing an unprecedented level of innovation which is open-
ing up new markets and driving demand to all-time highs,” White
says.“Coupled with the exciting uptick in mergers and acquisitions, I
believe we are witnessing the renaissance of nonwovens.” n
7/30/18 2:33 PM
 Gain from cutting-edge technologies
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