German developer of nonwoven roll goods in the hygiene sector, Sandler, will present the international audience with innovative sustainable products featuring optimised functionality in hygiene applications at IDEA 2022, in booth 1401. IDEA is a leading event for nonwovens and engineered fabrics. It will be held from March 28-31, 2022, at Miami Beach.

In hygiene applications, new nonwovens for acquisition and distribution layers (ADL) put sustainability concepts into practice: Currently used diaper structures provide for high comfort in use as well as an optimised fit. Nonetheless, ADL and core wrapping still are independent layers not thoroughly connected to the core material. Despite the achievements in diaper design thus far, this may result in reduced fluid handling and even higher potential for leakage. Sandler’s next generation ADL brings together the functionalities of the ADL and the core cover in a single-layer material. The new fluid handling concept gets rid of any gaps between functional layers and the absorbent core. Optimum fluid management is ensured no matter the size, shape or form of the absorbent core. The innovative Sandler materials providing an outstanding interim storage capability improved capillarity. Owing to an exclusively mechanical production process these nonwovens can do entirely without thermoplastic polymers in raw material selection, ideally supporting our customers’ sustainable product concepts. Material composition and properties can be adapted to the respective features of the end product, the company said in a press release.

Wipes for diverse areas of use have become part of our everyday lives, but their production is generally both energy and resource intensive. For these products, Sandler presents new materials, which take account of sustainability by significantly reducing their carbon footprint. An innovative manufacturing process lowers energy consumption and use of resources by up to 50 per cent compared with common production methods. The nonwovens feature similar or even improved softness as well as higher thickness at similar basis weights and bonding levels. For this new development, a wide variety of natural fibres or fibres based on renewable sources can be used—optimally adapted to customer wishes and requirements of the end application.

In the field of nonwovens in technical applications Sandler puts forward a sustainable new development for the automotive industry. In this sector, single-material solutions have been a centre of interest for a long time and are currently also expanded to so-called moulded exterior parts, such as underside panels, engine compartment shielding, and damping trays. An innovative Sandler nonwoven made from 100 per cent PET offers a sustainable alternative for these applications. No binders are being used, nor additional fibres often used to reinforce this type of components, thereby significantly reducing the weight of this innovative material. Their porous structure makes these nonwovens excellent sound absorbers, increasing the driving comfort of the vehicle, according to Sandler.

By customising the fibre structure and the 3-dimensional shape of the component, performance can be further optimised to specific applications. The textile materials are also not susceptible to mould and fungi and extremely resistant to all common engine compartment fluids. They offer a high performance with structural rigidity and temperature stability. The Sandler nonwovens are made from up to 80 per cent post-consumer recycling fibres – at the end of their life cycle, they can be reprocessed and turned into new polyester materials after mechanical recycling. In this way, this innovation also contributes to keeping resources in a closed material cycle longer and implementing the concept of the circular economy.