Kelheim Fibres to present sustainable European innovations at GFC

September 11, 2023 - Germany

Kelheim Fibres, a leading manufacturer of specialty viscose fibres, is all set to showcase its latest developments at this year's Global Fibre Congress in Dornbirn which will begin from September 13. The focus is on innovative solutions that not only promote environmental sustainability but also strengthen the European supply chain.

In his presentation 'Towards high performing plant-based AHP products - a joined approach of Pelz and Kelheim Fibres', Dr Ingo Bernt, project leader of fibre & application development at Kelheim Fibres, together with Dr Henning Röttger, head of business development at PelzGROUP, will introduce the development of a plastic-free yet high-performance panty liner. The water-repellent Kelheim specialty fibre Olea plays a crucial role in both the top and backsheet of the panty liner. This product emerged from the ambition to offer eco-friendly alternatives to conventional disposable hygiene solutions without compromising on product performance, the company said in a press release.

A similar approach is pursued in the second presented project – but Kelheim Fibres takes it even further. Under the title 'Performance Fibres meet Sustainable Design - example of a reusable Baby Diaper', Natalie Wunder, project leader from Kelheim Fibres' new business development team, together with Caspar Böhme, co-founder of Sumo, will introduce the washable and reusable SUMO diaper. Made from bio-based materials and featuring a unique construction with Kelheim specialty fibres, this combination offers double environmental benefits compared to conventional disposable baby diapers.

Both the panty liner and the SUMO diaper are manufactured entirely in Europe, resulting in shorter transportation routes and a reduced CO2 footprint. Moreover, these innovations contribute to strengthening the European textile and nonwovens industries by fostering innovation within Europe.