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Nonwovens/​Converting

Tencel for flushable Nonwovens

Lenzing, the leading producer of the manmade cellulose fibres, believes it is satisfying the trend of the times in the nonwovens industry with its short-cut type cellulose fibre Tencel that is said to be ideal for high quality wipes and care wipes, due to its flushability properties. The market for wipes will grow by 6.5% per year, the company reports. In an increasing number of households one can find practical wipes for hygiene and care applications and the trend is on the rise. Many wipes are disposed of in the toilet whether they are flushable or not, which may lead to problems with blockages in public sewage systems. With Tencel, Lenzing supplies a raw material which is of botanic origin, contains no additives, and is biodegradable. When processed in the right way, practical wipes can be produced, which are environmentally friendly.

11th April 2014

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Lenzing

Sustainable, Medical/Hygiene, Industrial

Lenzing, the leading producer of the manmade cellulose fibres, believes it is satisfying the trend of the times in the nonwovens industry with its short-cut type cellulose fibre Tencel that is said to be ideal for high quality wipes and care wipes, due to its flushability properties.

The market for wipes will grow by 6.5% per year, the company reports. In an increasing number of households one can find practical wipes for hygiene and care applications and the trend is on the rise. Many wipes are disposed of in the toilet whether they are flushable or not, which may lead to problems with blockages in public sewage systems.

Tencel short-cut. © Lenzing

With Tencel, Lenzing supplies a raw material which is of botanic origin, contains no additives, and is biodegradable. When processed in the right way, practical wipes can be produced, which are environmentally friendly.

Enhanced quality

Due to the fibre strength, the Tencel wipe is particularly tear-resistant in contrast to the materials conventionally used such as pulp and short-cut viscose. The high strength of the Tencel fibre is also said to reduce the use of binding agents, which are mostly made of acrylic, latex or bi-component fibres.

Another advantage of Tencel compared to short-cut viscose is that due to the higher strength profile, fewer fibres are required for a comparable quality than in a wipe of short-cut viscose. “Quality does not, however, only mean enhanced service properties but also refers to the skinfriendly attributes of Tencel,” said Dr Dieter Eichinger, Head of the Hytec market segment at Lenzing. “The fibre has already demonstrated in tests that it is particularly well suited to sensitive skin.”

Tencel is said to be ideal for care wipes. © Lenzing

“The exceptionally smooth surface of Tencel makes the fibre ideal for the skin and prevents skin irritations. For this reason, wipes of Tencel are particularly smooth and gentle on the skin,” Eichinger argued.

Perfect for new technology

The merging of paper and spun-laced technology is expected to revolutionise the market for wipes. Short-cut Tencel is ideally suited to this application.

Due to its properties, it will play a key role in the development of flushable wipes particularly with this technology, the company believes. “Here the fibre strength of Tencel also plays a vital role,” Eichinger commented.

Sustainability confirmed

Environmental certificates such as the EU-Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, OK biodegradable from Viocotte or Ecocert demonstrate the environmentally responsible production of Tencel.

Tencel skin promotion campaign receives an award. From left to right: Dieter Eichinger, Head of the Hytec market segment at Lenzing; Elisabeth Stanger, Head of Hygiene at Lenzing; and Peter Untersperger, Lenzing CEO. © Lenzing

“In particular, the botanic origin of Tencel and the sustainable production of the fibre fit perfectly with the current consumer demands and are vital for the production of disposable wipes,” Elisabeth Stanger, Head of Hygiene at Lenzing, is convinced.

www.lenzing.com

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