At INDEX 2023 in Geneva from April 18-21, Kelheim Fibres will provide information about various development projects it is currently working on to design fully biobased absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) that do not compromise on performance.

The company continues to focus on its wood-based speciality fibres, which the tampon industry has trusted for decades, but the requirements for AHPs differ, as each layer must fulfil a specific function.

To meet these requirements, Kelheim Fibres has developed a range of functionalised speciality fibres, including hydrophobic Olea, trilobal Galaxy and Bramante hollow fibre.

All of Kelheim’s fibres are manufactured from 100% wood pulp derived from certified and sustainably managed forests. They are fully biodegradable – microorganisms in soil and seawater ensure that no residues remain.

“As pioneers in our industry, we do not limit ourselves to producing fibres,” says Dr Crnoja-Cosic, director of new business development at Kelheim Fibres. “Together with our partners we develop holistic concepts that cover the entire value chain. Through collaborations based on the open innovation principle, products are created that take into account the real needs of customers and are thought through from beginning to end, so they can be quickly ramped up to commercial scale.”

A current example of such a partner project is the development of a completely bio-based panty liner with the nonwovens manufacturer Sandler and the hygiene products manufacturer pelzGROUP, which is due to be launched shortly.

Kelheim will also present its tried and tested fibres for products like tampons or flushable wipes, for example, at stand 2415 at INDEX.

www.kelheim-fibres.com