Polyester fibre specialist Trevira GmbH, headquartered in Bobingen, Germany, is presenting its comprehensive programme of products for a wide range of technologies and applications in the nonwovens sector at this week’s INDEX show in Geneva.

Due to a growing demand for more environmentally-friendly products and new primary raw materials and solutions, Trevira is developing sustainable solutions based on biopolymers such as PLA (polylactic acid).

This biopolymer is made from plant material and is also biodegradable under industrial compostable conditions. Trevira is offering both mono and bicomponent PLA fibres, in addition to a siliconized PLA hollow fibre for use in fillings.

Due to the increased need for fibres with additional functionalities and the use of fresh combinations of raw materials, the company is expanding its capacities in bicomponent fibres incorporating not only polyester but also sustainable raw materials like PLA and also PBS. All of its bicomponent fibres are antimony-free and PBS is recyclable and up to 100% biodegradable under industrial conditions.

Additive degradation

Another approach to more sustainable products is modified virgin and recycled polyester fibres that become biodegradable through an additive solution. The additive is permanently and uniformly embedded in the matrix of the fibre, so never washes off.

When the fibres go to landfills, they are exposed to moisture, oxygen, and microbes (bacteria). The additive provides little spots within the polymer that the bacteria can attach itself to, and it then starts breaking down the polymer chain. This is basically polymer degradation, which is the reverse process of making the polymer. These biodegradable fibres are available as mono and bicomponent fibres.

Waste recycling

When polyester fibres are manufactured, the process inevitably results in some residual waste, but this residual waste is actually a resource that can be recycled for further use. Trevira aims to feed its residual waste back into the production process wherever possible. The company’s agglomeration plant in Bobingen takes a variety of residual wastes from its manufacturing sites and those of its customers, and transforms them into serviceable raw materials. The agglomeration facility can process both standard fibres and those with special functionalities. The processed recyclates retain the same characteristics as the original products and are equally high-performing. They have been awarded GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification.

Trevira also processes bottle flake regranulate into fibres. Its portfolio of fibres from recycled materials contains standard fibres but also fibres with flame retardant or low-pill functionalities. GRS certification has been obtained for these products and new investments are planned at the Bobingen site to expand capacities for recycled fibres

A comprehensive product range for airlaid applications is meanwhile being continuously enhanced, as well as special fibres for the carding sector and shortcut types for the paper industry, where the focus is on improving dispersion, including a new micro 0.6 dtex and 5 mm cut fibre.

For both, the polyester and the PLA programme, Trevira has also developed modified fibres for the hygiene sector (e.g. for wet wipes), with a particularly soft handle.

Emphasis is also being placed on finishes for fibres that must meet food industry standards, as well as on antimony-free polyester fibres to enhance product safety. Trevira has the ISEGA certificate for specific fibre types in applications with hot water filtration (coffee and tea filters) as well as packaging materials with food contact.

At Index 2021 Trevira is again participating in a joint presentation with sister companies from the Indorama Ventures parent group.

www.trevira.com