The Indorama Ventures (IVL) Hygiene Fibers Group presented an extensive range of recycled and biodegradable fibre solutions for nonwovens at last week’s INDEX show (October 19-22) in Geneva.
The combination of polymers, technologies, processes and global reach supported by the group – one of three business segments that make up IVL – uniquely positions it to meet the challenging market demand for sustainable solutions within the hygiene sector.
Across the six brands and companies that make up Hygiene Fibers Group – Auriga, Avgol, FiberVisions, Indorama Asia, Trevira and Wellman International – sustainability and supporting customers to achieve circular objectives is now paramount.
At INDEX, the group launched CiCLO, a textile technology which enables polyester and other synthetic materials to biodegrade like natural materials do in wastewater treatment plant sludge, sea water and landfill conditions, reducing synthetic microfibre pollution generated during washing, and minimising plastic accumulation in landfills caused by discarded textiles.
Aurifa, Trevira and Wellman have been working closely with the CiCLO technology over the past 12 months, with a focus on sustainable PET and rPET staple fibre and filament solutions in areas where recycling is particularly challenging, such as hygiene, home textiles and automotive applications.
Trevira also introduced a new range of bicomponent fibres based on PLA and PBS (polybutylene succinate). Both biopolymers offer an exceptional technological opportunity in terms of environmental care and sustainability, while delivering optimum performance. Like PLA, PBS is recyclable and up to 100% biodegradable under industrial conditions.
Wellman International meanwhile offers an extensive range of 100% recycled, accredited PET fibres under the Deja brand platform, while polyolefin producers FiberVisions, ES-Fibervisions and spunmelt leader Avgol, have partnered with UK-based Polymateria to commercially harness its biotransformation technology. This patented technology alters the properties of polyolefins to make them biodegradable in a natural process.
Other polyolefin innovations include biosurfactant and biocolourant developments from Avgol, while FiberVisons is progressing sustainable design solutions, including lightweight, high performance, reduced carbon solutions.
