The global nonwovens industry has undergone remarkable growth, fuelled by technological advancements, and evolving consumer preferences. Nonwoven fabrics, known for their versatility and cost-effectiveness, have found applications across different industries, opening up market opportunities for innovative companies.
The outcomes of the SUSTAFIT research project outline sustainability strategies for specific application segments, and facilitate a deeper understanding of the knowledge gaps identified collaboratively between the leading Finnish research institutions, universities and companies involved in the project. The gaps identified relate to the expansion of sustainable raw materials in nonwovens, and the correlations between raw material, processing, and properties. A particular focus of SUSTAFIT was to enhance the appeal of sustainable fibres for nonwoven applications.
The SUSTAFIT project also built understanding on the knowledge gaps around how to expand the use of sustainable and recycled fibres from alternative renewable and sustainable feedstocks in nonwovens, and how to relate the properties of the raw materials and their processing to the properties of the nonwoven products. SUSTAFIT also boosted the attractiveness of sustainable fibres for nonwoven applications by developing their hydrophobicity and antimicrobial performance, the two major restricting factors for increased sustainable fibre introduction.
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The SUSTAFIT Workbook, Sustainable Nonwovens of the Future – From Research Into Business Opportunities, is your guide to these opportunities, perspectives, and challenges.
🌿The practical workbook will be published in the very near future and we will link it to our upcoming posts.
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The textile industry, including nonwovens, faces global and rapidly growing challenges that necessitate a swift transition to a circular economy and sustainable business models. The SUSTAFIT Workbook, Sustainable Nonwovens of the Future – From Research Into Business Opportunities, provides insights into sustainable market opportunities, innovative technical perspectives, and strategies for building ecosystems within the nonwovens sector.
SUSTAFIT is a research project carried out by Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University. Project is funded by the participating companies, the research partners, and Business Finland.
Partners and co-operators: Fortum, UPM - The Biofore Company, Sulzer, Kemira, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto Oy (LSJH), Anpap Airlaid, SPINNOVA®, Nordic Bioproducts Group Ltd, Rester Oy, Valmet, SharpCell Oy, NordShield®, Fiber-X Finland Oy, JedX, Paptic Ltd, Mirka, and Lixea.
Collaborators: EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, The Nonwovens Institute, Saxon Textile Research Institute, NIRI | Next-Gen Fibres & Nonwovens
Project contacts: Pia Hautamäki 🌸, Ali Tehrani, Antti Oksanen
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