At last week’s INDEX nonwovens show in Geneva (October 19-22), Fitesa announced that it will install a new multibeam Reicofil 5 spunmelt line in Europe, with start-up planned for the second quarter of 2023.

The new machine will be installed at one of Fitesa’s current facilities in the region and will be equipped to produce full high loft and standard spunmelt products, using a variety of sustainable raw materials including bioPE and PLA.

“This line will be a state-of-the art machine capable of serving the growing demand for sustainable spunmelt products,”, said Michael Baumgartner, Fitesa’s senior vice-president for Europe and China. “Once the machine is online, we will ramp up production from our pilot lines which significantly increases our ability to supply the market with softer products and increased circular and green content produced locally in Europe.”

“This investment will contribute to changing the sustainability profile of the spunmelt nonwovens industry,” added Fernanda Gastal, Fitesa’s vice-president of procurement and marketing. “It is one of three areas where we believe we can make a significant impact – innovative technology offering, environmentally friendly raw materials and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in our operations”.

Fitesa has been producing nonwovens from biobased polymers since the early 2010s, including 100% biobased spunbond materials.

Fitesa Sweden recently received ISCC Plus certification, which endorses the company’s ability to commercialise biobased and circular materials under the mass balance concept.

Fitesa is one of the world’s largest nonwovens and films manufacturers with a broad range of technologies, including spunbond, spunmelt, meltblown, carded, airlaid, films and elastics.

Headquartered in Porto Alegre, Brazil, it employs over 2,600 people in 23 manufacturing locations in 13 countries.

www.fitesa.com