WEINHEIM - Freudenberg Performance Materials has developed a new, 100% synthetic wetlaid nonwoven product line under its Filtura brand.

The new materials, which can be manufactured from various types of polymer-based fibres including ultra-fine micro-fibre, are designed for use in filtration applications as well as other industrial applications.

According to Freudenberg, customers in the filtration business can use these fully synthetic wetlaid nonwovens in both liquid and air filtration. Applications include reverse osmosis membrane support, support for nanofibers or PTFE membranes as well as oil filtration media. The new materials are suited to use in the building and construction industry or the composites industry.

Freudenberg’s wetlaid nonwovens can be made of polyester, polyolefin, polyamide and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), using staple fibres of up to 12mm fibre length and microfibers as fine as 0.04dtex.

In terms of weight, the product range spans weights of between 8g/m² and 250g/m². Freudenberg’s flexible wetlaid manufacturing line has the capability to combine various thermal and chemical bonding technologies. The materials have high precision in weight and thickness as well as a defined pore size and high porosity.

In addition to its fully synthetic range, Freudenberg can also incorporate glass fibres, viscose and cellulose.

General industry applications for Freudenberg wetlaid nonwovens are surfacing veils for glass-fibre reinforced plastics, compostable desiccant bags, battery separators, acoustics, heatshields, and apparel applications such as embroidery substrates.