A leading large-scale man-made fiber and polymer producer in Asia has invested in a new meltblown plant in the Oerlikon Nonwoven business unit. The contract that has been signed includes a two-chamber plant for the production of nonwovens for filtration, mainly for medical products such as respirators, with a rated capacity of up to 1,200 tons of nonwovens per year, scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2020 commercial production.
The two-box machine has a working width of 1.6 meters and is equipped with a newly patented charging unit from Oerlikon Nonwovens. Oerlikon Nonwoven’s meltblown technology is recognized as the most efficient production process on the market, producing filter media with a high degree of separation from man-made fibers, especially in combination with electrostatic charging with extremely low pressure losses. Electrostatic charging of filter fabrics allows the production of high standard filter media in EPA and HEPA filter grades, as well as media meeting the requirements for respirators rated N95, FFP2 and FFP3.
In the production of high-quality materials for filtration and medical products, the meltblown nonwovens production facilities of the Oerlikon Nonwovens business unit meet the highest quality standards. (Image credit: Oerlikon)
Since the outbreak of Sars-CoV-2 (coronavirus), the global demand for medical filter nonwovens has increased dramatically, posing great challenges to all producers.
“We are currently receiving inquiries for equipment from all over the world, and our equipment solutions can fully meet the needs of our customers.” Dr. Ingo Mählmann, Head of Sales and Marketing at Oerlikon Nonwovens business unit, introduced the current situation. “In order to improve the supply situation, we have adjusted the priority order and greatly shortened the lead time of meltblown equipment, so equipment products can now be delivered to customers faster and in a shorter period of time.”
In the second quarter of 2020, Oerlikon’s meltblown plant will be in operation at a leading nonwovens manufacturer in Western Europe, and for the first time only nonwovens for respiratory protection masks will be produced.
In view of the current emergency in the supply of respirators locally, the Oerlikon Nonwovens business unit is currently producing filter media on its own laboratory equipment for the production of respirators by local small businesses and manufacturing companies. Rainer Straub, head of the Oerlikon Nonwovens business unit, added: “We are delighted to be able to contribute to the fight against the pandemic, especially to our Neumünster production site and the surrounding area.”
Post time: Apr-20-2022