BASF is to present new products in the fields of fibre bonding, additives and super absorbents at INDEX 2011, the world’s leading nonwovens exhibition, which is being held from April 12-15 April in Geneva. BASF will be targeting customers from the hygiene and nonwovens industry and all companies that require environmentally friendly binding agents and liquid-absorbing polymers for their products.

Dispersions for fibre bonding

“Binding agents for fibrous materials in the form of dispersions and reactive resins have become part of our daily life,” says BASF. “They hold together a large number of products that simplify our everyday life in many ways. When used in nonwovens, they make roofing membranes tear-proof and ensure that PVC floors keep their shape. Thanks to such dispersions, waterproof cellulose substrates can be turned into highly efficient decorative paper, filters or nonwoven wallpaper. Natural fibres are used to produce light-weight construction material or floor coverings,” the company says.

At this year’s INDEX, one focus for BASF in the field of dispersions for fibre bonding will be on the ecologically compatible reactive resins of the Acrodur brand. As a water-based, formaldehyde-free system, Acrodur is said to offer an environmentally friendly alternative to solvent-based or formaldehyde-containing resins and consequently guarantees safe and simple handling. It is, for example, used as a bonding agent for nonwovens made of polyester and glass fibres in construction applications such as PVC floors and insulating mats.

Additionally, Acrodur is said to be particularly suited to process natural fibres. As these fibres are both light and stable at the same time, automobile manufacturers use moulded parts made from natural fibre, among other applications, for door linings, shelves or car ceilings. In this way, BASF says, Acrodur promotes the use of renewable raw materials in the automotive industry and contributes to the production of energy-efficient cars by reducing their weight.

Another focus is on Acronal-branded acrylate dispersions. Apart from conventional applications for polyester and glass nonwoven fabrics, the bonding agents are also suitable for cellulosic substrates. In this field, BASF will present its innovative formaldehyde-free self-cross linking Acronal DS 2416.

“Thanks to this new binding agent, it is easy to process cellulose fibres. It is, for example, perfectly suited to produce cellulose-based air filters for cars, which need to be particularly durable and powerful. In addition, Acronal DS 2416 has low VOC values, which is important for residential applications. This means that nonwoven wallpapers produced on the basis of Acronal DS 2416 are not only particularly stable but also low-emission,” adds BASF.

Superabsorbents

BASF will also show a new range of superansorbents, and comments: “During the past 15 years the hygiene industry was revolutionized by superabsorbent polymers and today the white grainy powder is an inherent part of daily life. Super absorbents are capable of absorbing and holding water up to 500 times of their own weight – even under pressure. The main applications are in baby diapers as well as in the adult incontinence and feminine hygiene sectors.”

In close cooperation with its customers BASF has been developing new tailor-made solutions continuously to fulfil the rising performance requirements of the products in the hygiene industry. During these developments not only the usage properties of the consumer products are of relevance, but also sustainability is said to play a key role. Over the whole value chain optimized superabsorbent polymers can influence the demand of resources significantly, the company says. Thus BASF says, it is offering innovative concepts which help to protect these resources. “For example BASF developed an eco-efficiency analysis, which is used to evaluate the customer benefit of consumer products from a cost and environmental perspective,” the company says.

Additives and pigments for nonwovens

As a leading supplier of additives and pigments for the nonwoven industry, BASF offers a comprehensive portfolio of heat and light stabilizers such as Chimassorb and Uvinul , a range of Irgaguard antimicrobial additives, as well as an assortment of Heliogen blue and green pigments.

At this year’s Index, BASF will be presenting the innovative technology Irgatec CR 76 for nonwoven production. This technology enables converters to adapt material properties to the specific requirements, for example to make use of more cost efficient raw materials or to convert in-house nonwoven scrap to high-quality nonwoven.

Another focus in BASF’s portfolio for nonwoven manufacturers is the halogen-free flame retardant Flamestab NOR 116 which is said to combine flame retardancy and light stability in one molecule. One area of application for Flamestab NOR 116 is in textiles for roofing.