Borealis invests in meltblown innovation

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, is investing in a polyolefin meltblown expertise facility to increase non-woven innovation. The investment includes the installation of an in-house pilot line alongside other laboratory equipment. It is the first time that a polyolefin supplier has installed an in-house meltblown pilot line which will be located in Borealis’ international Innovation Centre in Linz, Austria.

The new pilot line will support the cost-effective testing of meltblown concepts together with customers and enable the delivery of innovative products to the market more quickly. Borealis is the market leader in this segment and further strengthens its commitment to the development of new solutions for the industry with this investment.

Polyolefins for the meltblown industry are used predominantly in hygiene applications, such as baby diapers and feminine care products, for medical and protective clothing, and face masks and other air and water filtration applications.

Axel Becker, International Sales Manager for Machine manufacturer Reicofil, who supplied the new line, comments: “Borealis’ investment opens up new opportunities for the meltblown industry to research advanced applications. The in-house pilot line will make small-scale testing of a large number of samples economically viable. This will encourage exploratory testing that pushes existing boundaries, expanding meltblown into exciting new application areas.”

Nina Ackermans, Application Marketing Manager, Borealis, adds: “The meltblown industry requires step-changes in the performance and processing properties of the materials it uses to expand the potential of non-wovens. Our in-house testing opportunities will provide the flexibility we and our customers need to develop new polymer concepts for the markets of the future.”

Borealis has more than 15 years experience in providing advanced polyolefin solutions for non-woven applications and textile fibres. In partnership with the value chain, Borealis continues to provide innovative, value creating polypropylene and polyethylene solutions.