WIELSBEKE, Belgium — January 12, 2015 – Beaulieu Fibres International (B.F.I.), a polypropylene (PP) staple fibre supplier, announced the full commercial availability of its innovative Meraklon Trilobal PP fibers for the global hygiene market. The fibers support the production of lighter weight nonwovens with improved coverage and opacity compared to round fibers, and better liquid management.
Meraklon Trilobal PP fibers have a unique defined cross section. The real trilobal shape offers a range of benefits to nonwovens’ producers in their efforts to reduce fabric weight without compromising on performance and functionality.
The fibers’s shape and resulting resilience enhances fibers opacity and leads to a superior coverage effect and bulkiness in the finished nonwoven. This improved coverage allows a weight reduction of both the fibers and related nonwoven while overcoming the traditional loss of opacity associated with less material use and weight reduction in fabrics. The higher bulkiness also further improves the opacity. Furthermore, the greater surface area of the trilobal fiber increases the liquid retention capacity of the nonwoven.
B.F.I.’s trilobal fibers are available in 1.0 to 6.7 dtex for spun-laced and thermal calendared bonded technologies.
Next-generation fibers with tailor-made functionalities can be achieved through the addition of additives that boost softness or transparency levels. Different finishes make fibers phobic or permanently hydrophilic, and it is also possible to integrate well-being features such as aloe.
Applications in the hygiene market set to benefit from the technology include wipes for the baby care and facial segments, as well as topsheets in diapers and disposable feminine care products.
Leonardo Pinoca, General Manager, Beaulieu Fibres International Terni S.r.l., comments: “We are pleased to be able to offer industrial volumes of our innovative trilobal polypropylene fibres to global nonwovens customers following the success of our customer trials. This advanced technology enables us to address the demand from nonwovens’ producers for system cost reductions while maintaining the coverage and opacity performance required of lightweight fabrics aimed at the hygiene market.”
The addition of trilobal fibres to the Meraklon portfolio represents a significant achievement for B.F.I. since acquiring the company in August 2013.
Posted January 13, 2015
Source: Beaulieu
