Plastic Free Solutions: VILOFT® short cut fibres are a leading material for producing fully flushable and biodegradable wipes.
WOVEN WITH NATURE Kelheim Fibres is the world’s leading producer of viscose speciality fibres, combining innovative technology, technical expertise and outstanding customer service. Alexander Bachmann, the company’s Strategic Sales and Marketing Manager speaks about the latest developments.
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avaria-based Kelheim Fibres, established in 1936, is one of the oldest producers in its sector. Its speciality viscose fibres are used in widely diverse applications ranging from fashion, hygiene and medical products through to the nonwovens industry, and can be found worldwide. Today, around 80 per cent of the company’s output is sold in the export markets. “We develop and produce high-value products. This has been our key strength and the reason we have survived the competition from low-cost manufacturers,” says Mr Bachmann. “Our products are 100 per cent bio-based and fully bio-degradable, making an important contribution towards the reduction of plastic waste and 30 Industry Europe
pollution by microplastics. With the growing preference for noplastic use, this is expected to be a growing business.” He explains that innovation has always been a factor that has kept the company at the forefront, mentioning the recently launched Danufil® QR, the ‘fibre that sets quats free’, tailor-made for use in disinfectant wipes. The product has recently won the World of Wipes Innovation Award. Danufil® QR is the only viscose fibre worldwide that – in contrast to standard viscose fibres – binds less than 10 per cent of “quats” (quarternary ammonium compounds), so that this common disinfectant can release its intended effect in the wipe.
