TROISDORF – Reifenhäuser Reicofil is presenting its new RF5 XHL production platform for the first time at this week’s INDEX 23 exhibition in Geneva.
RF5 XHL (extra high loft) is the evolution of the proven RF5 technology, targeted at super soft and drapeable nonwovens for the hygiene industry.
“Thanks to the use of smaller, highly crimped fibres, our XHL nonwovens offer a new level of quality with super soft touch for nonwoven products made from them – such as top sheets and back sheets,” says, Reifenhäuser Group vice president of sales and marketing Markus Müller. “At the same time, we achieve a huge improvement in the carbon footprint of up to 30% thanks to reduced resource use.”
RF5 XHL technology relies on the specially patented BiCo process which combines two different raw materials in one fibre in the spunbond process, creating a bimetallic effect and optimally crimping the fibre. This results in a weight reduction of up to 25% for fibre sizes at 1.0 denier. At the same time, thickness increases by up to 30% compared to state-of-the-art material.
The new RF5 XHL lines are also equipped with particularly energy-efficient components, enabling resource-saving nonwovens production at high line speeds. To reduce production waste to a minimum, all raw materials are made of polypropylene (PP), for simple and efficient inline recycling. In contrast, common mixed-material fabrics made of PP/PE or PET/PE are very difficult to recycle. In addition, to meet the ongoing demand for more sustainable nonwoven products, RF5 lines also process bio-based raw materials on request.
With c.Hub, the new data connection platform of the Reifenhäuser Group, Reicofil offers its customers a digitalization solution that is consistently tailored to the requirements of nonwovens production. Customers can securely network the data of their Reicofil lines and peripherals, as well as ERP and MES systems, via the c.Hub middleware, to store it centrally for easy analysis. Line operators can consequently monitor and document their production and increase production efficiency based on data. Coming with various software bundles, c.Hub is offered as an on-premise solution which can be operated locally and remains under the full control of the user company.
Components
Reifenhäuser business unit Enka Tecnica will also present its wide range of replacement components for spunbond, meltblown and composite lines at INDEX 23. The highly specialized custom manufacturer offers economical high-end German-made technology that is 100% compatible with all globally installed lines, regardless of manufacturer.
Producers of nonwovens worldwide rely on Enka Tecnica components to manufacture products for complex applications in hygiene, medical or filtration. Trade-show visitors will gain a detailed insight into the entire range of products, from meltblown and spunbond spinnerets to meltblown cassettes and complete meltblown spinning beams designed with an energy concept optimised for sustainability. The outstanding quality of die tips and capillaries assures consistent product quality and precision, allowing producers to meet their tolerance specifications reliably and avoid scrap at the same time.
“Enka Tecnica’s unique selling point is its multi-vendor approach,” says Wilfried Schiffer, managing director of Reifenhäuser Enka Tecnica. “All our components are custom-made providing hundred per cent compatibility with the respective line.”
