May 2011
At Techtexil 2011 Wellman International presented a renewed focus on the technical capabilities of their Smart Fibre product portfolio. The Show provided an opportunity to share with the market, recent advances in existing product ranges, particularly in respect of the expansion into Heavier Decitex fibres and also the securing by Wellman of Asthma & Allergy Friendly™ component approval. At Techtextil 2011 Wellman will also introduces its new range of Profile fibres – profile pt, to the market.
The profile pt fibre range are a specialised range of novel shaped fibres which offer greater surface area to weight ratio and therefore enhanced liquid distribution properties. This unique fibre range also demonstrate acoustic insulation properties, with the increased surface area of this particular fibre range allowing the potential for acoustic benefits. Possible end uses of the profile pt range include room partitions, or in applications where acoustic insulation is required. Other areas where the profile fibres have demonstrated specific opportunity are in filtration applications where market interest has been very encouraging.
Wellmans consistent commitment to delivering an innovative product range is evident in their being the first fibre producer globally to secure Asthma & Allergy Friendly™ component approval for their Sensifil™ fibre range. This independently accredited range of fibres, offer benefits across a broad range of applications but have particular relevance for filtration applications. According to Managing Director, Frank Gleeson 'This component approval has been pursued by Wellman in recognition of both the consumer and the retailer demand for transparency and reassurance and provide third party verification based on gold standard science'. It is estimated that by 2015 that 50% of people will suffer from at least one allergy, making this a particularly important advance within the Industry.
Through evolving technical development, Wellman have now expanded their decitex capacity across their fibre range and are now able to produce fibres from between 3.3 decitex to 80 decitex. Applications for which these higher decitex fibres are suitable include abrasives, flooring, specialised bedding applications etc. Market interest in this range has been very positive thus far, with customers seeing this fibre range as a viable alternative to nylon or indeed polypropylene based products.
Wellman continue to drive a true and validated sustainability agenda, utilising in excess of 1.6 billion post consumer PET bottles annually to produce their fibre products. Wellman fibre and processes are independently validated through participation in a Life Cycle Analysis Study (published Elsevier, August 2010) and demonstrate an overall lower environmental impact than any other polyester staple fibre studied. Our fibres also show significantly lower effect on non-renewable resources and a much lower global warming potential than other processes investigated. Offering fibre traceability and closed loop opportunities, the genuine sustainable platform from which Wellman operate, provides the ideal basis for pursuing sustainable Retailer and Consumer programmes.
Further information is available on www.wellman-intl.com or contact
Celene Rafferty at CeleneRafferty@wellman-intl.com, Phone +353 (0) 46 92 80 200