LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany — February 10, 2011 — From April 12 to April 15, BASF will present new
products and customer-orientated applications at INDEX 2011, the world’s leading nonwovens
exhibition, in Geneva. At the BASF booth 1426, BASF experts are going to inform and advise business
professionals about BASF’s comprehensive service and product range in the field of fiber bonding,
additives and superabsorbents. BASF is again addressing customers from the hygiene and nonwoven
industry and all companies that require environmentally friendly binding agents and
liquid-absorbing polymers for their products.
Dispersions for fiber bonding — innovations for nonwovens
Binding agents for fibrous materials in the form of dispersions and reactive resins have
become part of our daily life. 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 fibers are used to produce light-weight construction material or floor coverings.
At this year’s INDEX, one focus in the field of dispersions for fiber bonding will be on the
ecologically compatible reactive resins of the Acrodur® brand. As a water-based, formaldehyde-free
system, Acrodur® offers 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 fibers in construction
applications such as PVC floors and insulating mats. Additionally, Acrodur® is particularly suited
to process natural fibers. As these fibers are both light and stable at the same time, automobile
manufacturers use molded parts made from natural fiber, among other applications, for door linings,
shelves or car ceilings. In this way, 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, this year, present its innovative formaldehyde-free
self-crosslinking Acronal® DS 2416 — thanks to this new binding agent, it is easy to process
cellulose fibers. 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.
Superabsorbents — Sustainability as Factor of Success
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. Superabsorbents 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 fulfill 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 plays a key role. Over the whole value chain optimized
superabsorbent polymers can influence the demand of resources significantly. Thus BASF 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.
Broad portfolio of additives and pigments for nonwoven
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 presents 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 combines flame retardancy and light stability in one molecule.
One area of application for Flamestab® NOR™ 116 is in textiles for roofing.
Posted on March 18, 2011
Source: BASF SE
