Getting up to date with Ahlstrom

The latest developments from Ahlstrom in the field of renewable raw materials will be the focus of a keynote presentation at the forthcoming Nonwovens Network UK symposium taking place in Bradford, UK in July.

In 2012, 91% of the fibres Ahlstrom used – a total of 1,158,330 tons – were from renewable sources, and 81% from certified or controlled wood, with a code of conduct successfully implemented with the company’s main raw material suppliers.
The vast majority of fibre is wood pulp from forests, but Ahlstrom also uses viscose and other natural fibres such as abaca, flax, sisal and jute.

Biopolymers are an area of intensive research for the company, and the most important of these is PLA, as an advanced renewable and biodegradable polymer.

Forest-based nano-cellulose is another highly-promising raw material, Ahlstrom believes, being both very light and very stron,g while recycled materials such as rPET made up 20% of Ahlstrom’s total polyester fibre purchases in 2012.

Some of the biggest issues currently impacting on the global nonwovens industry will be analysed and discussed at this year’s Nonwovens Network UK conference, which takes place again at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on Thursday 11th July 2013.

A keynote from European MEP Timothy Kirkhope will address the Euro Crisis, how it is affecting business for the UK’s industries and what opportunities are still out there that might just be being missed.

As far as processing is concerned, the potential of 3D printing – precisely building up materials in layers – is currently exciting manufacturers worldwide. UK company Tamicare has developed a new technology for nonwoven end-products based on its principles – with startling implications for cutting both costs and waste.

At the other end of the spectrum, another growing UK company, Knowaste, is implementing radical measures for dealing with the waste from medical and consumer nonwoven-based products which have gained strong support from councils across the UK. Learn how these ideas are spreading like wildfire - Knowaste is currently looking to build a bigger plant to meet demand - and what they could mean for both manufacturers and suppliers.

And Harrison Spinks, a traditional manufacturer of high-quality mattresses, also has an interesting to story to tell about how its technology has been adapted for car seating by the leading automotive supplier, Johnson Controls.

In charting the progress of Ahsltrom in responding to some very specific 21st Century  problems and requirements, Dr Gordon Meikle’s paper will compliment an information-packed and timely one-day programme.

Details: www.nonwovensnetwork.com