Kelheim Fibres, a leading viscose speciality fibre manufacturer, at the INDEX17 nonwovens exhibition to take place this April in Geneva will be presenting its Viloft flat short cut fibre for rapidly disintegrating wet wipes.

Matthew North, Commercial Director at Kelheim Fibres said that together with the local wastewater authorities and renowned pump manufacturer WILO, comprehensive tests on products containing Viloft were conducted in 2016. They wanted to go one step beyond the requirements of the flushabilty guidelines and see what actually happens in practice – that is to say down in the sewage system. In contrast to traditional (spunlace) wipes, which led to clogging and blocked pumps, wipes made of Viloft have passed the test with flying colours.

Furthermore, their close cooperation with the wastewater authorities has made clear to them how much damage to the sewage systems is really caused by incorrectly disposed wet wipes. The increased maintenance costs amount to almost 200 Mio € per year in Germany alone – and, at the end of the day, these costs are paid by the consumer.

In addition to their rapid disintegration, which eases the load on the pumps, wet wipes made of Viloft and wood pulp are compostable: they consist of 100% cellulose and are fully biodegradable, the company reports.

Hygienic fibres remain another important topic for the manufacturer of viscose fibres for the tampon industry. The company’s patented, extra absorbent speciality fibre Galaxy, high hygiene standards, as well as a deep understanding of customers’ needs enable long-lasting peer-to-peer partnerships, the manufacturer explains. The company recently received an External Business Partner Excellence Award 2016 from P&G.

Kelheim Fibres’ in-house R&D has also developed a new fibre named Electra, which can be used in a wide range of applications for the dissipation of static charges. Currently, Kelheim is testing the possible use of this fibre in connection with sensitive electronic components.

Approximately 90,000 tons of viscose fibres are produced and tested every year at Kelheim in South Germany. Its viscose fibre products are used in widely diverse applications ranging from fashion, hygiene and medical products, to the nonwovens industry.

Kelheim Fibres is focused on developing innovative products, flexible technologies and strong customer orientation, as well as active environmental protection.