The inorganic tracers are customised to a spectral code that has been integrated in PP and PA6 with IFG Asota before. The idea to implement this solution in IFG Bio is consistent with market demands.

Tobias Herzog, Managing Director of Tailorlux: “The pilot line in Linz is the perfect place to test new tracer fibre developments for our customers. It is fascinating that a tracer fibre can be made from sugar cane”.

Simon Riepler, IFG Group R&D Director: “Tailorlux provides a tracer solution working for staple fibres that we have been seeking for many years. I am very excited about this partnership to jointly develop sustainable staple fibre solutions for the future.”

About Tailorlux

Tailorlux develops and implements industrial marking solutions to ensure material authenticity. The aim of the solution concepts is to protect and prove the integrity of materials and products. With well-known international customers, Tailorlux GmbH is one of the most important suppliers of covert industrial markings for recycling, product protection and digitization of bulk materials.

www.tailorlux.com

International Fibres Group (IFG) are delighted to announce a strategic R&D partnership with Omya, a leading global producer of Calcium Carbonate. The two companies will work together using IFG’s Fibres Research Centre in Linz, Austria, to explore new fibre product performance, characteristics and applications which will incorporate Omyafiber®, a specially developed calcium carbonate for fibre and nonwoven applications. The two companies will jointly promote their findings into the fibres and nonwovens industry.

The collaboration has commenced with successful trials of the incorporation of Omyafiber® masterbatches into PP and PLA staple fibres, and further polymer types are under consideration to be tested on the pilot line.

Calcium Carbonate is being considered as it is a sustainable and renewable raw material, addressing some of the environmental pressures on the fibres industry. Its carbon footprint is approximately 300kg CO2 per tonne of Calcium Carbonate. It can be used in recycled materials and is also recyclable itself.

When Omyafiber® is combined with staple fibres, the research and development teams discovered improved haptics, opacity and whiteness. It can replace the use of titanium dioxide which has a significantly higher carbon footprint.

Due to the high thermal conductivity properties of Omyafiber® in the polymer matrix, it allows for products to be created that have lower sealing / bonding temperatures.

It is approved for use in applications that will come into contact with food.

In addition, Omyafiber® does not cause skin sensitivity and is OEKO-TEX® approved for use in apparel.

Simon Riepler, Head of Research and Development at IFG said of the collaboration: “Omya is a well known name in the industry and we are very happy about our fruitful cooperation. The quality of the calcium carbonate is excellent and we are looking forward bringing this quality into fibres and providing a sustainable product for our customers.”

Marco Viel, Vice President Polymers, Group Sales & Marketing at Omya said: “We are excited about this valuable cooperation with IFG that will significantly accelerate the market introduction of our Omyafiber® solution to the staple fibre market. “

The two companies will collaboratively launch their partnership with a dedicated seminar at the Dornbirn GFC https://www.dornbirn-gfc.com/ from 14-16 September 2022.