Archiv 2011
21. December 2011FibreNewsPaper 04/2011: Merry Christmas!
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09. December 2011
Kelheim Fibres presents Leonardo
At this year's Specialty Papers Conference in Bad Nauheim Kelheim Fibres presented a newly developed viscose speciality fibre.
This fibre, christened Leonardo, was designed with a special focus on paper applications and extends the product range of the Bavarian fibre specialists targeted
at this market, in which Kelheim Fibres have been drawing attention with a series of new "paper fibres" since 2009.
Leonardo is mainly characterized by its extremely flat cross section. In comparison with other flat viscose fibre specialities, Leonardo has a width to thickness
ratio of 40 to 1. At the same time the fibre exhibits an extremely even fibre surface with completely parallel sides and an extremely regular cross section.
Leonardo can be produced up to three times thinner than standard flat viscose fibres. This, together with even fibre surface and the resulting modified light
refraction properties deliver a uniquely transparent fibre from which a range of different end applicationssuch as security and filter papers can benefit.
While it is generally possible to control a paper's characteristics such as bulk, tear length, tear resistance or porosity by adding viscose fibres, tests have
shown that viscose fibres with a flat cross section improve the physical properties even more. This results from the better inter-fibre contact and the better
fibre bonding of flat fibres in contrast to regular round fibres.
With Kelheim's flat fibre specialities it is even possible to produce a 100% viscose paper; this is not possible with standard viscose fibres. Furthermore, the
paper's strength benefits from the use of thin fibres - another advantage offered by Leonardo. Finally, an anionic modification of the viscose fibres can increase
the positive influence of adding fibre to the paper.
Leonardo is currently being thoroughly tested in a range of end products. "We follow several interesting projects at the moment." says Walter Roggenstein, head of
R&D at Kelheim Fibres. "As a result of close cooperation with our customers we are able to ensure that we offer marketable solutions which work on an industrial scale."
02. November 2011
Kelheim Fibres announces new fibre
After two very successful editions in Chicago in 2009 and 2010, the Specialty Papers conference, will be held in Europe for the first time.
Kelheim Fibres, world leading manufacturer of viscose specialities, will use this opportunity to present their newest development, viscose speciality "Leonardo", to the public.
Leonardo adds to the already broad range of products which Kelheim has particularly adapted to the needs of the paper industry - more details will be given within the lecture of Dr. Ingo Bernt (R&D) at the conference.
In addition to the lecture mentioned, Kelheim Fibres also offers a pre-conference plant tour and the chance to visit Kelheim's speciality fibre production site and their paper competence centre in particular.
For more details about the pre-conference tour visit: click here!
10. October 2011
Dornbirn Man-Made Fibers Congress - September 2011
"Security & Comfort" - Anemone Schmitsdorf’s lecture
Increasingly, people in Germany are developing an awareness for protection against fire in the private sector. Clothing - and here particularly clothes for kids -
must not become a danger for the wearer. With the viscose fibre speciality Verdi, Kelheim Fibres offers a self-extinguishing fibre whose LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index)
of 25 beats that of cotton, standard viscose fibres and polyester.
While other materials often need to be treated with chemicals to obtain a flame retardant effect, Verdi is made of 100% cellulosic materials. In addition to its
self-extinguishing properties it offers the excellent wearing comfort which characterizes all viscose textiles - and a clear conscience in respect of the environment.
Learn more about this topic from the lecture of Anemone Schmitsdorf, presented at this year's man-made fiber congress in Dornbirn - click here!
"Cellulosic Fibres with a New Functionalities" - Dr. Ingo Bernt’s lecture
The Bavarian viscose fibre manufacturer Kelheim Fibres has recently attracted attention with the development of a range of new fibres. Their special functionalities
in nonwovens products and new end products made possible with them have been thoroughly tested within a research project of the Hohenstein Institutes.
Dr. Ingo Bernt (Kelheim Fibres) and Dr. Jan Beringer (Hohenstein Institutes) presented the first test results at this year's man-made fibre congress in Dornbirn.
The fibres' positive influence on the mechanical properties of a nonwoven, the significantly increased absorption capacity and the fabrics self-extinguishing properties stand out in particular.
For more information, click here for the complete presentation.
13nd September 2011
FibreNewsPaper 03/2011: 75 years - more than one reason to party
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02nd August 2011
Kelheim Fibres to present new fibre functionalities at Dornbirn
Kelheim Fibres will be present at this year's 50th Man-Made Fibers Congress in Dornbirn with an information stand and
will also be delivering two lectures.
The Bavarian viscose specialist, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2011, will be giving insights into its formula
for success and will showcase a broad range of tailor-made speciality fibres which help to achieve specific properties in
the end product.
These functionalities have been thoroughly tested in cooperation with the Hohenstein Institute, both for speciality textile
end uses and for applications in the paper and wetlaid markets.
Learn more on September 14th at 17.35 in hall A ("Cellulosic Fibers for a New Application", Anemone Schmitsdorf) and
on September, 15th at 9:25 in hall A ("Cellulosic Fibers with a New Functionality", Dr. Ingo Bernt).
For further information:
Matthew North
Commercial Director
Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)9441 99-368
Email: matthew.north@kelheim-fibres.com
15th July 2011
New environmental facility opened at Kelheim Fibres
On 15th July, as part of the festivities to mark the 75th anniversary of the plant, the Minister President of Bavaria, Horst Seehofer officially opened two new environmental facilities at Kelheim Fibres GmbH.
One of the two facilities is the WSA sulphur plant, ownership of which has now passed to the fibre producers as the operators, the other being the third BIOHOCH reactor, as part of the
organic waste water purification facility at the fibre production site.
BIOHOCH reactors are based on a technology developed and patented in Kelheim, which has now spread throughout the world. Waste water from production processes is cleansed organically before
being returned to the river. Special air distribution systems and appropriate geometry enable BIOHOCH reactors to achieve ideal purification results coupled with low space, time and energy requirements.
The new BIOHOCH reactor III, involving investment costs totalling 6.5 million Euros, is intended to allow necessary maintenance and repair work to be carried out on the two existing plants without
restricting production; in addition to this it will secure operations by providing reserve capacity for increasing production in the future and to contribute towards improving waste water treatment overall.
The sulphuric acid plant - representing a total investment of approximately 25 million Euros - and designed as an integral part of the process itself not only processes the exhaust gases containing
sulphur from fibre production, thus acting as an exhaust gas purification unit. At the same time, it also produces sulphuric acid which is one of the most important raw materials for fibre production,
as well as high-pressure steam from the process itself. This is fed into the works' own power station, thus significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels and in turn, of CO2 emissions at the location.
Dr. Haio Harms, C.E.O. of Kelheim Fibres GmbH, referred to the improvement of the environmental situation as one of the greatest challenges of the past few years. Now however, equipped with the sulphuric
acid facility and the BIOHOCH reactor, the fibres centre is well positioned for the future.
At the same time, Dr. Harms announced further measures to further improve the environmental situation at the site. In close cooperation with the appropriate authorities, a package involving a total
investment of 10 million Euros has been defined which will reduce exhaust air and noise emissions in the future. In the vacant field situated to the west of the plant, new buildings are to be erected
which will provide additional noise reduction as part of a win-win solution: noise reduction for the houses in the direct vicinity of the site and provision of new warehouse and storage capacities for
the fibres centre. In addition, the outdoor facility behind this area is to be sound-proofed and equipped with new, quieter and higher-powered absorbers. This investment will also contribute towards
reducing noise emissions, creating reserve capacity for the recovery of important resources.
Furthermore, numerous individual measures will be implemented which will improve the situation in respect of various other sources of noise and exhaust air.
Broschure: 75 Years of Kelheim Fibres (only available in German)
For further information:
Mathias Lehrmann
Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)9441 99-311
Email: mathias.lehrmann@kelheim-fibres.com
15th July 2011
Kelheim Fibres: first step of a 4-stage investment package authorized!
The shareholders of Kelheim Fibres GmbH have approved the first stage of a new, 4-stage investment package. This was announced by the C.E.O. of Kelheim Fibres GmbH, Dr. Haio Harms,
during festivities to mark the 75th anniversary of the fibre manufacturer.
At the festivities, staged under the motto „75 years – a bridge from yesterday to tomorrow,” which were intended to focus particularly on the future development of the Kelheim fibre-producing
location, amongst other issues, Harms emphasized those positive signals seen on the site in the past few years: the willingness to invest in new processes, in innovation and new products,
had made it possible to continue to expand the company’s technological edge and to strengthen its market position.
He confirmed that more than 100 million Euros had already been invested in the location between 2004 and 2009.
In the first stage of the so-called UEK Programme („Umweltverbesserung (environmental improvement), effizienz-steigernde Erneuerung (efficiency-enhancing renewal) and Realisieren von
Kapazitätsreserven” (realization of capacity reserves) an investment volume of around 25 million Euros are to be spent on refurbishing an existing spinning line with state-of-the-art technologies.
This will allow removal of the majority of process exhaust air directly at source.
An additional environmental measure includes investing in a new, combined evaporation and calcination plant, which will cut consumption of steam currently needed in this area by 75%.
At the same time, these improvements also eliminate certain bottlenecks in production, enabling an increase in production capacity at Kelheim Fibres as of the second quarter of 2012 to an annual
fibre capacity of 91,000 tons.
In the following years, three further stages „UEK 2 to 4” – each involviing an investment of around 25 million Euros – are planned for modernisation of the remaining spinning lines, thus enabling
a capacity of around122,000 tons/annum to be reached.
This increase in production volume will enable Kelheim Fibres to alleviate the competitive disadvantage resulting from producing in Germany with the increased infrastructure costs this entails
(such as energy, safety, incidental wage costs, environment, administration, etc.) via higher quantities – to maintain the competitive edge of Kelheim’s Fibres in an international environment.
For further information:
Mathias Lehrmann
Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)9441 99-311
Email: mathias.lehrmann@kelheim-fibres.com
07th June 2011
Kelheim Fibres expands in-house Technical Centre
Kelheim Fibres, the world's leading manufacturer of viscose specialities, has extended its in-house technical centre for paper making.
Research and development are key points for the producer of functional and tailor-made speciality fibres. The development work focuses not only on the development of new
fibres but also on the potential end products made out of them.
A range of in-house pilot plants and technical equipment allow Kelheim Fibres to simulate their customers' processes and to duplicate the properties of the end product.
In this way they have been able to develop a broad understanding for the customers needs.
For the development of viscose fibres for speciality papers and wet laid products, Kelheim Fibres makes intensive use of its own in-house technical centre for paper production.
To meet the growing demand in this area, the technical centre has now been extended.
The new pilot plant has inclined wire technology and it is possible to process all types of fibre, pulp and - if required - to include different additives in papers with weights from 20-200g/m2.
The new inline dryer also enables the production of larger samples.
Using this new technical centre Kelheim Fibres is able to rapidly verify the results of the fundamental research carried out in cooperation with the Institute for Paper,
Pulp and Fibre Technology at the Graz University of Technology and transform the theories developed into innovative paper products.
The new Paper Competence Centre is also available for Kelheim Fibres customers? own trial work.
Test runs on big production plants are expensive and disrupt regular production campaigns. With the new pilot plant customers can take the first steps in developing innovative papers -
and engineer these new products in close cooperation with Kelheim's R&D fibre experts.
16nd Mai 2011
FibreNewsPaper 02/2011: Expansion of our in-house Technical Centre
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02th May 2011
Kelheim Fibres to present viscose specialitites and new Paper Competence Centre at Zellcheming.
As the only European manufacturer of viscose short cut fibres for paper applications, Kelheim Fibres GmbH has become
firmly established within the paper industry.
Newly developed speciality fibres perfectly adapted to the needs of paper manufacturers add to Kelheim's already broad
range of products.
Bellini, for example, is an ultra-flat fibre which excels in particular as a result of its extremely high self-bonding
properties. Even an addition of only 5% of Bellini fibres in a paper ensures a significantly higher tensile strength and
resilience in the end product. Tests carried out by the Graz University of Technology* have specifically shown more than
twice the number of double folds in papers containing Bellini compared to the control paper. In addition the results for
elongation, tear length and tear resistance could each be improved by more than 20%.
Bellini therefore is an ideal partner for all challenging speciality paper end uses - but also an interesting choice in view of
the worldwide growing demand for paper and the subsequent necessity to recycle papers: by adding Bellini fibres a
paper's properties can be optimised so as to increase the proportion of recovered paper used, yet at the same time
maintain the quality of the end product - an ecologically and economically attractive aspect.
Due to its unique cross section, Kelheim's Danufil® fibre is ideally suited to control the porosity of a paper. Depending on
the pulp used, the addition of 10% Danufil® fibres achieves a decrease of a paper's density by 10% - but at the same
time the air permeability (porosity) according to Bendtsen rises by almost 90%.
Danufil® fibres are therefore used for all products which request a fast exchange or passage of air and liquids; typical
end uses are tea bags, cigarette papers, filter papers or papers for vacuum cleaner bags.
Along with Bellini and Danufil® Kelheim Fibres presents at this year's Zellcheming a range of speciality fibres which have
been particularly developed for the paper industry.
At the same time, the fibre specialists focus has been first and foremost on tailor-made new developments generated in
close cooperation with the customer.
For this purpose Kelheim Fibres has extended its in-house Paper Competence Centre. With the new pilot plant with
inclined wire technology all kinds of fibres, pulp and - if required - different additives can be processed to papers with
surface weights from 20-200g/m2. The new inline dryer enables the production of larger samples.
Kelheim Fibres can therefore quickly prove the results of their fundamental research in cooperation with the Institute for
Paper-, Pulp- and Fibre Technology of the Graz University of Technology in innovative paper products.
The new Paper Competence Centre is also available for Kelheim's customers' own trial work.
Test runs on big production plants are expensive but with the new pilot plant the customers can make the first steps in
developing innovative papers - and engineer these new products in close cooperation with Kelheim's R&D fibre experts.
*paper made of eucalyptus pulp with 5% Bellini fibres versus paper made of 100% eucalyptus pulp
For further information, please contact:
Matthew North
Commercial Director
Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)9441 99-368
Email: matthew.north@kelheim-fibres.com
14th Februar 2011
Fibres that simply offer more:
Kelheim Fibres present Viscose specialities with added functionality at INDEX
The Bavarian manufacturer of speciality viscose fibres has been firmly established in the nonwovens industry as a
supplier of unique fibre solutions for many years.
Therefore Matthew North, Commercial Director at Kelheim Fibres, is more than happy to present an extended range of
new products at this year's INDEX in Geneva. Kelheim's fibre specialists are particularly proud of their new fibres with
added functionality.
"We have developed the first viscose fibre with ion exchange properties. Incorporated in special papers or nonwovens it
can filter destructive acids out of all kinds of liquids - or provide a better taste of hot beverages when used as water
softener in tea or coffee pads.", he explains about Poseidon, one of Kelheim's new fibres.
Poseidon's sister fibre, Deep-Dye, is a cationically activated viscose fibre which stands out thanks to its particularly high
dye absorption capacity. Deep-Dye also does an outstanding job in filters, used for example for the decolouration of
waste water from dyehouses.
In addition to Poseidon and Deep-Dye - and also of major interest for the nonwovens industry - there are extra
absorbent new viscose specialities that offer a number of benefits not only for the end product but also for further
processing thanks to their different added functionalities, including high levels of dispersability.
"These new fibres are the result of our consistent strategy of developing innovative speciality fibres. Specialities will gain
even more importance in the future. They make the difference: they can give a product new added properties or they can
make further processing more efficient - and therefore more cost-effective.", says Matthew North.
At the same time, he is convinced that innovative fibres form the basis for further developments in the future:
"The market for tailor-made fibres - fibres that are precisely engineered to meet the specific requirements of the
customer, will grow." Kelheim's R&D team is well prepared to meet this challenge. They work together with an
international network of scientists and have their own on-site testing facilities and pilot plants, including, for example, a
technical centre for paper applications. In this way Kelheim is able to find the answers to very specific requirements of its
customers.
In addition to the new fibre specialities from Kelheim their established brands Danufil®, Galaxy® and Viloft® nonwoven will be
an important subject at INDEX, as Kelheim Fibres has been the world's leading supplier of viscose specialities for
tampon and hygiene fibres for many years. Different cross sections and a wide range of special fibre properties are the
characteristics of Kelheim's broad range of products. Beyond that, Kelheim Fibres has made itself a name as the only
European manufacturer of viscose short cut fibres for paper applications.
For further information, please contact:
Matthew North
Commercial Director
Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)9441 99-368
Email: matthew.north@kelheim-fibres.com
09th February 2011
FibreNewsPaper 03/2010: Kelheim Fibres participates in the CD Laboratory Programme
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