KELHEIM - Viscose speciality fibres manufacturer Kelheim Fibres has partnered with the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (ETP) in two strategic programs.
The Bavarian firm has signed up to the Bio-Based Fibres and the Circular Economy programs, the aims of which are to bring key players from industry and
science together to develop a long-term strategy to actively shape the sustainable realignment of the European textile industry.
According to Kelheim, its membership of the two three-year ETP programmes are in recognition of the fundamental changes inside the textile supply chain, particularly against the backdrop of the increasingly important sustainability debate.
“We have been manufacturing bio-based fibres for almost 85 years – these fibres are made from the renewable material wood and they are fully biodegradable at the end of their product lifecycle," explained Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, head of New Business Development at Kelheim Fibres. "As an alternative to crude-oil based materials, these fibres are becoming increasingly popular in various applications. Part of the reason for this is the fact that we can functionalize our speciality fibres during the production process and give them the exact properties that are required for different end uses. In terms of performance, they can keep up with synthetic materials.
"Kelheim’s sustainability criteria also includes the full life cycle of its products: when a textile, after its use, can become the raw material for new fibres and new products, that is a huge advantage in terms of sustainability. We want the best possible result – bio-based fibres and circular economy are the way to get there.”
The European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (ETP) is the largest European network for the promotion of textile research and innovation. It brings together over 200 members from industry, research, higher education, clusters, associations and textile-related sectors.
Kelheim Fibres GmbH is the world’s leading producer of viscose speciality fibres and a key supplier of viscose fibres for the tampon industry. About 90,000 tons of viscose fibres are produced every year at Kelheim in South Germany with applications ranging from fashion, hygiene and medical products to nonwovens and speciality papers.
