Voith and Truetzschler Nonwovens will supply a flexible, high-performance nonwovens production line to the Tufropes site in Gujarat. The main application will be environmentally friendly, biodegradable hygiene wipes made from renewable raw materials.
India has a huge potential concerning hygiene-related nonwoven products. Wet and dry wipes lift hygienic standards in baby and body care. Since all these products are single-use items the need for environmental-friendly products cannot be doubted.
Tufropes is a renowned company specialized in engineering and manufacturing innovative rope and netting solutions. Products are used in a vast array of industries and applications. Targeting the nearly untapped market of locally made, disposable nonwoven product, Tufropes decided to invest in a progressive and sustainable production line for carded/pulp (CP) nonwovens from Voith and Truetzschler Nonwovens. The CP technology combines a cost-effective, wet-laid pulp layer and a carded web layer from cellulosic fibers. Spunlaced CP nonwovens are fully functional, affordable and 100% biodegradable – a top-quality, eco-friendly product for the whole market. Based in Gujarat, India, the line is expected to be commissioned next year.
The Tufropes management team opted for Voith and Truetzschler Nonwovens for good reason to supply machinery and be the technology partners in this new project. Voith and Truetzschler implement a tailor-made solution that guarantees an efficient and sustainable nonwoven manufacturing process. “The team of Voith and Truetzschler stands out due to extensive experience with the wet-laid/hydroentangled nonwoven technology,” says Madhav Goel, Director at Tufropes. “Besides profound knowledge, expertise and running solutions, the local set-up of both companies in India convinced us. We wanted to invest in a unique and progressive technology and we are pleased to have found the best partners in Voith and Truetzschler to realize our first step into a new business field.”
As a full-line supplier, Voith implements customer-oriented solutions for Tufropes with BlueLine stock preparation and forming technologies to guarantee an efficient and sustainable wipe manufacturing process. The line will contain a compact FloatLip Former, a cylinder mould former, proven in dozens of cardboard production lines worldwide. “Its special advantage for CP nonwovens production is the very consistent distribution of stock suspension for highly flat profiles,” explains Oliver Crasser, Sales Manager at Voith Paper. “The compact and energy-efficient low-consistency former is space-saving and optimally accessible along its entire length.” In addition, Tufropes benefits from Voith's effective automation technologies and extensive service know-how. The second heart of the line is Truetzschler NCT high-speed card. “The roller card delivers a carded web into the CP process. It gives the finished nonwoven both strength and softness, while the wet-laid pulp layer provides absorbency and additional volume”, explains Christian Maennich, Area Sales Manager at Truetzschler Nonwovens.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/