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Ecofriendly filters on the horizon

11 Apr '13

2 min read

Recyclability and solid waste issues will pave way for air filters from compostable and ecofriendly materials.

Speaking at the AATCC's international conference in Greenville, Dr. Gajanan Bhat, Director of the Nonwovens Research Laboratory at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville highlighted the need for sub-micron size filters made from earth friendly materials.

Bhat presented results from his recent study involving Natureworks' polylactic acid (PLA) meltblown webs. These webs have half micron sized fibers; developed using new meltblown dies capable of producing nano and submicron size webs. Collaborative testing with Texas Tech University showed that these PLA webs have about 90% or higher filtration efficiency.

In answering a query on the cost of PLA from Dr. Fred Cook, Past President of AATCC and Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, Bhat said, value has to be looked into as PLA being compostable are environmentally attractive and price is getting competitive as well. The debate also focused on the use of corn as a fiber source against its use as food.

Submicron dies can be easily adapted in the existing meltblown lines and hence the industry can switch to the production of nano meltblowns that will have enhanced filtration efficiency, said Gajanan Bhat.

Seshadri Ramkumar