Dow introduces experimental fiber-grade LLDPE resin for spunbond nonwovens applications; company claims resin offers improved throughput and fabric softness for absorbent products

Philip Goldsmith

HORGEN, Switzerland , April 2, 2012 (press release) – Committed to delivering innovative solutions for the hygiene and medical industry, Dow Europe GmbH has announced today the introduction of a new experimental linear low density polyethylene resin (LLDPE) for mono- and bi-component spunbound hygiene and non-woven applications. The new XZ 89461.00 Experimental Polyethylene Fiber Grade Resin is well-suited for infant diapers, feminine hygiene and adult incontinent articles as well as medical gowns and drapes.

The XZ 89461.00 Experimental Polyethylene Fiber Grade Resin extends the ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resin portfolio from Dow, with a resin specifically designed to address industry demand for excellent cloth-like haptics and softness while also offering increased throughput and easy processability.

"Dow is constantly innovating to deliver resins that offer the optimum combination of comfort, fit, softness, functionality, and efficiency in hygiene and medical nonwovens," explains Peter Heydasch, EMEA marketing director for Hygiene & Medical, Dow Performance Plastics. "We also believe that to help deliver exceptional end products, we must be closely connected with all members of the value chain to better understand the demands that drive the marketplace."

The new experimental resin is a good example of Dow’s collaboration with the value chain resulting in an enhanced resin that can deliver a fine balance of softness and tensile strength much needed in today’s hygiene and nonwoven applications.

Due to its optimized molecular design combined with a formulated stabilization package, the new XZ 89461.00 Experimental Polyethylene Fiber Grade Resin offers converters an excellent spinnability for longer production runs. Brand owners can benefit from the resin’s enhanced softness and drapeability for a remarkable comfort in the final product. The solution also has a high tensile elongation that allows for desired stretch and tear resistance.

Used as a mono-component spunbound application, XZ 89461.00 Experimental Polyethylene Fiber Grade Resin delivers remarkable nonwoven softness; while as a bi-component the nonwoven features are widened offering excellent conformability. The resin can be also used in a bi-component staple fiber application, combined with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) or Polypropylene (PP) in bonding fibers for applications that require air-through bonding.

ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resin is a polyethylene-based material for hygiene nonwoven articles, well-suited for both mono-component and bi-component fiber applications. ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resins offer excellent cloth-like haptics for unparalleled comfort as well as exceptional processability for production efficiencies.

For more information about XZ 89461.00 Experimental Polyethylene Fiber Grade Resin, ASPUN™ Fiber Grade Resin and Dow’s full product portfolio for the hygiene and medical industry, please visit www.dow.com/performanceplastics/hygiene.

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