Polymer Group, Inc. Unveils New Spinlace Materials At IDEA07
Miami, FL - Polymer Group, Inc. recently debuted at IDEA07 its Spinlace materials, a new category of fabrics that deliver high performance at best-value pricing, representing the first in a new generation of nonwoven technologies that will be the cornerstone for future product development.
"PGI began working on this completely new category of engineered materials several years ago in response to anticipated needs of our customers. We drew on our broad technological and process expertise to develop a better solution," said Mike Hale, vice president and general manager, U.S. and Europe. "This investment will continue the global trend to optimize performance versus cost through technology and product research."
To make Spinlace fabrics, PGI developed the highly efficient manufacturing process that incorporates continuous filament with hydroentanglement and eliminates the carding step. Additionally, the Spinlace process uses PGI's proprietary Apex technology to impart unique three-dimensional images directly into the fabric.
"We consider our current commercial initiatives to produce Spinlace materials as only the beginning of our efforts to develop a more efficient and dynamic method of incorporating continuous filament materials to achieve a variety of product attributes, including softness, strength, elasticity, bulk and more," Hale said.
"This new line is the first generation of technology that will serve as a platform for PGI's future growth in the nonwovens market. We are working to combine a series of technologies that result in an extremely robust process that can meet a variety of customer needs for product characteristics. These materials are capable of being used in a wide range of applications."
PGI Invests in New Technology
Spinlace fabrics, and the process used to make them, can result in stronger and more absorbent materials than comparable materials at lower weights and with a better value proposition than traditional manufacturing methods.
Consistent with PGI's strategic focus on innovation, the company has invested in the upgrade of a commercial line, as well as a pilot line, for continuous research and development efforts to better serve its customers. The first Spinlace line will be located at PGI's Benson, North Carolina plant and is expected to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2007.
The new offerings were introduced here at the International Engineered Fabrics Conference and Expo (IDEA07). In addition to consumer and industrial wipes, future uses include a number of other applications in all markets that PGI serves.
SOURCE: Polymer Group, Inc.