10 questions for…

Sustainable Nonwovens spoke to Dr Stephen Russell, director, Nonwovens Research Group at the University of Leeds on the relationship between academia and nonwovens companies, nonwovens manufacturing technology, and future predictions for the industry.

Sustainable Nonwovens: What do you consider to have been the real breakthrough developments in nonwoven materials that have had a significant impact on the industry over the past decade?

Stephen Russell: In an industry as diverse as nonwovens, a breakthrough technology in one sector can sometimes be of limited consequence in another. There have been so many exciting developments relating to raw material properties, new manufacturing technology and product design.

Thinking specifically about environmental sustainability, biobased thermoplastic polymers that are compatible with existing fabric production and converting routes, as well as nonwoven end products made with unusually high recyclate contents – without compromising performance – are just some of the developments that spring to mind.