Trevira at Techtextil

In 2014, 46% of all filaments and fibres made by Trevira were used in technical applications and at the forthcoming Techtextil show in Frankfurt from May 4-7, the company will be seeking to strengthen its ties with manufacturers of technical textiles and nonwovens. 

As at the Index 2014 nonwovens show in Geneva, the company is making a joint presentation with its owner Indorama Ventures and sister companies FiberVisions and Wellman. The stand will offer a wide portfolio of man-made fibres, displaying the strengths of the individual partners. 

In the fibre sector the focus for Trevira lies in customised special solutions in polyester, PLA and bico fibres. Fibres from biopolymers based on Ingeo PLA from NatureWorks suit a variety of nonwovens, while initially used principally in hygiene products, bico fibres are increasingly appearing in developments for customer projects aimed at technical applications such as filtration and insulation.

Flame retardant fibres are also gaining ground in technical nonwovens, in soundproofing, insulation and autototive applications, while Trevira’s short cut fibres are employed in end-use products including wallpaper and food packaging.

Technical applications for Trevira filaments meanwhile include special yarns for medical and hygiene textiles, together with textured PBT filaments as the basis for plasters and bandages containing active ingredients. Demand has also been rising steadily for PLA multifilaments.

Another Trevira speciality is in hybrid yarns for stiffened materials, where a yarn from a co-polyester filament, modified at melting point, is combined with another, which can be a standard or flame retardant filament. Combinations with high tenacity filaments such as glass and carbon filaments, are also being realised by industry partners. Materials made from these components can be shaped almost at will, but in a controlled manner, and fixed in this form. In the composites segment such intermediate products are designated thermoplastic prepregs.