Filtration gains with viscose

At the forthcoming Filtech conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, from October 22-24, Dr Philipp Wimmer of Kelheim Fibres will show how the properties of a filter can be precisely controlled and optimised by the addition of speciality viscose fibres in nonwovens.

In contrast to other cellulosic fibres such as cotton, for example, viscose fibres stand out as a result of their definable and reproducible geometry, which enables a perfect match to be made to the specific processing route or end application. The porosity or surface of a filter can also be controlled precisely by adding the appropriate viscose fibres with specific cross sections.

The incorporation of functional additives further allows the manufacture of tailor-made fibres according to the end product’s exact demands.

The benefit is that the additives are locked in the fibre and have no impact on the filter’s physical properties – and at the same time, they maintain their effect.

Kelheim’s fibres are ISEGA certified and medically and environmentally compatible. They are therefore ideally suited for sensible applications like hygiene or medical products, for example in HME filters (Heat and Moisture Exchange filters) used in respiration equipment. Viscose fibres are carbon neutral when incinerated at the end of the filter’s life span or can – depending on the residue in the filter – be composted

Viscose fibres have a neutral taste and can be used in filters for food and beverage applications such as tea bags or coffee pads. If viscose fibres with ion exchange properties are used here, the coffee pad also delivers an additional water softening effect.

Another special application is the decolouring of waste water of dye factories: tests have shown that filters with the cationic activated Danufil Deep Dye fibre offer particularly fast and effective dye absorption.

Kelheim’s scientists are analysing a wide range of possible other applications.
.