#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-05-28

W+D/BICMA develops 3 ply face mask line with a lower cost mask design

W+D has more than 100 years of high-speed industry shaping innovations (c) 2020 INDA

The W+D/BICMA hygiene group of Winkler and Dünnebier reacting to the worldwide shortage and peak demand for high quality lower cost face masks has developed a fully automatic, high-speed face mask converting line for the production of high quality disposable face masks. This new converting line will be able to produce masks for surgical grade applications at up to 800 face masks per minute with a new lower cost ear loop design.

The new AUXILIUM FM mask line laminates and converts three layers of fabrics (spun bond, melt blown, thermo-bonded nonwovens and others) and ensures highest quality hygiene standards for “flat masks” or “surgical masks” with a metal stay for better comfort and fit over the nose (even for those wearing glasses). W+D/BICMA brings proven technology in automatic unwinding and splicing for nonwoven webs; cutting and positioning devices; and heat (or ultrasonic) edge welding.

The new AUXILIUM FM mask line has a speed of up to 150 m/min (492 ft/min) and is able to produce up to 1 million high quality face masks per day making it one of the fastest production mask machines in the world. Adding to the manufacturing throughput efficiency are the unique lower cost ear loops with more affordable Lycra® thereby maximizing lowest cost per piece mass production. There are also different options available for mask stacking and packing automation which make this mask machine further suited for Industry 4.0 manufacturing.

1 million high quality surgical masks per day output capability of the new W+D/BICMA AUXILIUM FM (c) 2020 W+ D

W+D/BICMA is one of the globally leading specialists for converting machines for the production of hygiene end products: Tissue products, diapers for children and adults, feminine hygiene products, absorbent pads and now also surgical face masks.

For more information on this new face machine and samples of new lower cost facemask contact :

facemasks@wdnorthamerica.com or https://www.bicma.com/en/home/

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

INDA announces finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2025 RISE® Innovation Award. A highlight of the RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Technology Conference, this award recognizes groundbreaking nonwoven-based innovations with the potential to advance the industry.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Cinte Techtextil China proves to be dynamic international platform and launchpad for new market potential

After three days of facilitating meaningful exchange for numerous applications of technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China 2025 concluded on 5 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Feedback across the fairground was highly positive, especially from first-time exhibitors and buyers who valued the platform’s capability to create new opportunities both in China and overseas markets.

DIENES at Techtextil 2026: Flexible pilot lines for bio-based fiber development

The growing relevance of bio-based materials in technical textiles is accompanied by increasing demands for reproducibility, high-quality data, and scalable process routes. Especially when working with cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan, lignin-based approaches, or bio-based PAN as a carbon-fiber precursor, R&D teams face variable feedstock quality, tighter process windows, and the need for reliable comparability across trials. This calls for flexible, data-driven experimental setups that can be reconfigured efficiently when recipes, solvents, and raw-material batches change.

Gunold showcases embroidery product range and services at Texprocess

At Texprocess 2026, GUNOLD will present numerous hands-on examples related to embroidery in Hall 8, Booth E20. The focus is on creative embroidery designs as well as the extensive product range of threads, nonwovens, and accessories for embroidery and embellishment. “Trade visitors can once again look forward to many new and creative embroidery designs. Of course, we will also showcase the matching products required to bring these ideas to life,” announces Marketing Manager Stephan Gunold.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.