The production of viscose fibres at Kelheim Fibres GmbH

Summary

Kelheim Fibers, a leader in specialty viscose fibers, uses sustainably sourced wood pulp to produce versatile fibers. Their eco-friendly process includes closed-loop systems and bio-reactors for wastewater treatment. The fibers are used in various applications such as hygiene products, cosmetic items, food filtration, and technical textiles, offering high absorption and comfort.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Textile products are essential in our daily lives and their functionality is determined by the materials they are made of.
• 📚 Historically, fibers like cotton, flax, linen, and hemp, which are all cellulose-based, were commonly used.
• 🔬 Over 100 years ago, engineers found a way to extract cellulose from wood to create a new fiber known as viscose.
• 🌐 Guilhom Fibers is a leading company in modifying the properties of viscose fibers for various applications.
• 🌳 The raw material for viscose is wood pulp, which must come from sustainably managed plantations with FSC or PFC certification.
• 🔄 The production process involves dissolving modified cellulose and then extruding it into a bath of dilute acid to form fibers.
• 🔬 Modifications such as changing fiber shape, size, or incorporating additives can be made during the production process.
• 🧪 Keele Heim's internal laboratories ensure that products meet customer specifications and safety standards.
• 🚚 The fibers are shipped worldwide from Germany, with daily dispatches of about 25 trucks.
• 🌱 Environmental protection is a priority, with a natural gas-fired power plant achieving over 90% efficiency and closed process loops.
• 💧 State-of-the-art bioreactors are used to treat wastewater, capable of serving a city with 150,000 residents.
• 🩹 Specialty fibers are used in hygiene products like tampons and medical textiles due to their purity and absorption capability.
• 💄 Short-cut fibers are used in cosmetic products and for flushable wet wipes that do not harm wastewater systems.
• 🌱 Skincare fibers improve properties like moisture management and transparency in sheet masks.
• ☕ Adding fibers to food filtration papers can control porosity for optimized extraction in tea bags and coffee filters.
• 🏗 Specialty products are also used for technical applications like carbon fiber production, industrial filtration, and automobile interiors.
• 👔 The natural origin and comfort of these fibers make them preferred for premium apparel.

Q & A

What are the primary materials used in textile products?

The primary materials used in textile products are fibers, historically cotton, flax, linen, and hemp, which all consist of cellulose.

What is the significance of cellulose in textile fibers?

Cellulose is the organic compound most frequently found in nature and is the principal component of wood, making it a key material in the production of textile fibers.

How was viscose fiber invented?

Engineers more than 100 years ago found a way to extract cellulose from wood and form it into a new kind of fiber known as viscose.

What is the role of Guilhom Fibers in the modification of viscose fibers?

Guilhom Fibers leads the world with its capability of modifying the properties of viscose fibers to generate various functionalities for a broad range of applications.

What is the raw material for viscose and how is it sourced?

The raw material for viscose is wood pulp, which is sourced from sustainably managed plantations, using only pulp with FSC or PFC certification.

How is the wood pulp processed to create viscose fibers?

The wood pulp is first dissolved, then the modified cellulose is dissolved to form an orange honey-like liquid, which is extruded into a bath of dilute acid to regenerate and form fibers.

What modifications can be made during the fiber formation process?

Key modifications such as changing the shape and size of the cross-section or incorporating additives can be made during the fiber formation process.

How does Guilhom Fibers ensure product safety and hygiene?

Guilhom Fibers has certified internal laboratories that ensure customer specifications and the highest requirements for product safety and hygiene are fulfilled.

What measures does Guilhom Fibers take for environmental protection?

Guilhom Fibers prioritizes environmental protection with an efficiency of more than 90% in its natural gas-fired power plant, closed process loops, and state-of-the-art bio reactors for wastewater treatment.

What are some applications of specialty fibers from Guilhom Fibers?

Specialty fibers from Guilhom Fibers are used in various applications such as hygiene products, cosmetic products, food filtration papers, technical applications like carbon fibers, industrial filtration, and automobile interiors.

Why are Guilhom Fibers' textile fibers preferred for premium apparel?

Guilhom Fibers' textile fibers are preferred for premium apparel due to their natural origin and high wearing comfort.