Suominen Corp. — a Finland-based supplier of nonwovens, wet wipes and flexible packaging for consumer products — has announced its Hydraspun® Dispersable substrate, a nonwoven roll good for flushable wipes, been certified Flushable under the third edition of the Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Disposable Nonwoven Products.
Developed by the Cary, N.C.-based Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) and the Brussels-based International Association Serving the Nonwovens and Related Industries (EDANA) in cooperation with wastewater authorities and the nonwovens industry, the guidelines establish a standardized measurement method through a series of seven core tests a product must pass to be awarded the Flushable certificate.
“Since the late 1990s, when Hydraspun Dispersible products were invented, improved dispersibility of flushable wipes has been very high on Suominen’s innovation agenda,” said Kyra Dorsey, Ph.D., product manager, Suominen. “Our knowledge of fiber science, understanding the expectations of the wastewater industry as well as being a partner in our customers’ successes are the building blocks which allow Suominen to lead the market and continuously improve its Hydraspun Dispersible products.”
Suominen also will increase Hydraspun manufacturing capacity in Europe. This expansion follows the company’s recent investment of approximately $3.3 million to expand Hydraspun capacity at its plant in Windsor Locks, Conn. (See “Suominen Expands Nonwovens Production Capacity, Sells Codi Wipes Business Unit,” TextileWorld.com, June 25, 2013). The company reports U.S. Hydraspun supply should be increased by next month. The European expansion will be facilitated by Suominen’s extended manufacturing cooperation with Finland-based Ahlstrom Corp.’s Ställdalen plant in Sweden.
“Keeping up with demand for flushable wipe materials from our customers is an important priority for us,” said Timo Hiekkaranta, senior vice president, Convenience business area, Suominen. “In adding further supply for Hydraspun dispersible substrates in Europe, over and above our investment in the USA, we are effectively increasing our available supply to them by more than 25 percent.”
March 18, 2014
