French-based chemical company Arkema is setting its sights on revolutionizing the textile industry by becoming a member of the Nonwovens Institute (NWI) based at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University. This strategic move aligns Arkema with over 50 other industry-leading organizations dedicated to advancing nonwoven technology.
The Nonwovens Institute, a consortium of stakeholders spanning the nonwovens value chain, operates on an open innovation platform, covering the full range of technology readiness levels in research and development (R&D). NWI actively engages industry, government, and academia to create next-generation nonwoven solutions aimed at addressing mission-critical challenges.
Arkema, with its four complementary business segments – Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, Coating Solutions, and Intermediates, is on a mission to transform the textile industry. The company boasts 21,100 employees and operates in over 55 countries around the world. Its sustainable textile solutions include an array of high-performance polymers like Rilsan polyamides, Pebax elastomers, Platamid copolyamides, Kynar PVDF, and Kepstan PEKK, which are integral in various textile applications such as meltblown media, electrospun membranes, spunbond media, and fibers.
Arkema’s commitment to sustainability is evident through its material solutions derived from renewable sources, notably castor beans. These include Rilsan PA11, Pebax Rnew elastomers, Platamid Rnew hot melt adhesives, and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) made from acrylic acid monomer. The utilization of such eco-friendly materials not only showcases Arkema’s dedication to environmental responsibility but also represents a significant step towards greener textile production.
Additionally, Arkema offers complementary solutions tailored specifically for nonwoven applications. Bostik Global, an Arkema subsidiary, is a leader in the production of adhesives used in the construction of personal care and hygiene articles, particularly where softness is crucial to consumer preference. Remarkably, Bostik’s adhesive requires just 2-3 grams of solution to assemble the intricate components of a disposable baby diaper, underlining Arkema’s commitment to both innovation and sustainability.
This collaboration between Arkema and the Nonwovens Institute promises to drive the textile industry forward, fostering innovative solutions and sustainable practices that could transform the way we perceive and manufacture textiles. As the world embraces the urgency of sustainability, Arkema’s dedication to cutting-edge materials and processes holds great promise for a more eco-friendly future in textiles.