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P&G, Oerlikon Nonwoven join hands for Phantom tech

28 Oct '20

2 min read

Pic: INDA

Procter & Gamble and Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials have joined hands in an exclusive license agreement under which Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials will market Procter & Gamble’s innovative Phantom technology to the global nonwovens market. The patented process for hybrid nonwovens combines the best of both airlaid and spunmelt technologies.

Phantom technology is the patented process for hybrid nonwovens which combines the best of both airlaid and spunmelt technologies to deliver new, flexible ways of creating wet and dry wipes. It offers additional benefits by reducing resources and cost, while increasing overall performance. The exclusive license gives Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials distribute this technology worldwide. In addition, Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials has further refined the process into its own Levra technology – an entry-level option which offers tailored production volumes with lower investment costs but is still suitable to be upgraded to the premium Phantom model in the future.

Phantom technology was developed to produce hybrid substrates. The spunmelt and airlaid processes are merged into one step to combine cellulose fibres, long fibres such as cotton, or even powders with polymer fibres in unprecedented ways. This technology has clear advantages in terms of resources, performance, and cost compared to the previous processes on the market. By removing hydroentanglement, it is no longer necessary to dry the material. Adjusting the process can optimise relevant product characteristics such as softness, strength, dirt absorption, and liquid absorption. In the end, this even increases the quality of the product itself.

The greater freedom for formulating continuous and discrete fibres allows for more flexible and absorbent structures and highly textured materials. Wipes feel softer to the touch while providing more protection for the hands. Up to 90 per cent of the material can consist of pulp fibres, although natural alternatives like cotton or synthetic fibres can be added to the mix.

Phantom technology has not only found a practical application in a variety of wipes – such as hygiene wipes, anti-bacterial wipes, surgical wipes, or industrial wipes – but also in absorbent cores, for instance in diapers or fempro products.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)

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