BFI to launch PET-core-BICO fibres at Idea

March 08, 2019 - Belgium

Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI), leading European polyolefin fibre supplier, will present itself as ‘all solution provider’ for polyolefin carded nonwovens in personal care and hygiene, geotextiles, automotive, floorcoverings and filtration applications at this year’s Idea19 Miami. BFI will launch its PET-core-BICO fibres for hygiene applications.

Idea will be held during March 25-28, 2019.

At this leading North American event BFI will also launch its new UltraBond staple fibre, demonstrating its commitment to help customers stay at the forefront of carded nonwoven products.

Recent BFI investments have enlarged the company’s product range, further helping producers to maximise value from their production equipment and to pursue opportunities in emerging areas.

Idea19 will see the global premiere of Merabond Spring PET-core-BICO for hygiene applications. This staple fibre completes the offer for the hygiene market. It comes in a dtex range from 1,3-6,7dtex/40mm in both polymer-configurations PP/PET and PE/PET. The specific use of PET in the core improves the resilience/loft of the nonwoven. The use of PE in the sheath provides softness as required in top sheets, for example, while the configuration with PP in the sheath answers the requirements for ultrasonic bonding.

Also on display will be the complete range of Meralux-fibres, bicomponent fibres with a special cross section shape that combines good coverage and better liquid management in one staple fibre. This enables a higher loft/bulk, unique opacity and enhanced fluid distribution, providing significant improvements to the dryness of nonwoven for hygiene and medical applications.

For the first time in North America, BFI will be showcasing UltraBond, a new, unique fibre created for automotive and flooring needlepunch applications. A patented polyolefin bonding staple fibre, UltraBond eliminates the need for latex or other chemical binders to bind nonwovens, providing significant sustainability and cost efficiency benefits.

The staple fibre is already showing potential as a replacement for traditional binders like PE and low melt PET included in Carpet Backing, Contract Carpet, Outdoor/Residential Carpet and in automotive applications.

Karena Cancilleri, vice president Engineered Products, Beaulieu Fibres International, comments, “Together with our customers, we look forward to exploring the potential of this unique thermal bonding fibre in other applications such as laminated nonwovens or as an alternative to dry powders.” (SV)