LENZING - The Lenzing Group has signed a strategic partnership between its flagship speciality nonwovens brand, Veocel, and China's Hangzhou Nbond Nonwovens to accelerate the innovation and application of wood-based Veocel branded lyocell fibres in flushable nonwovens products.
NBond, one of the earliest manufacturers to launch flushable feminine care products globally, is also the first to use Veocel branded lyocell shortcut fibres in flushable feminine care products.
With collaboration key to ongoing product innovation, the strategic partnership will feature long-term technical and innovation support towards the development of new nonwoven fabrics using Veocel Lyocell fibers at NBond's production facilities. As well as feminine care items, it will also encompass moist toilet tissues and other personal hygiene product offerings.
"Lenzing has been working closely with NBond for more than a decade. The new strategic partnership with NBond represents a milestone for both companies as we continue pioneering sustainable development of the industry, and help addressing the growing demand for high quality sustainable and flushable nonwovens products in Asia and globally," said Steven Tsai, senior regional commercial director for Nonwovens Asia, Lenzing. "With Veocel's expertise and NBond's technical knowledge and consumer brand network, we are well-positioned to advance new innovations and product applications which meet the evolving needs of consumer brands and enable them to stand out from the crowded marketplace of nonwovens products."
NBond's flushable products have so far been introduced in the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific. In China and Asia-Pacific in particular, the company has collaborated with mainstream household brands such as Kimberly-Clark, Vinda, and BabyCare on flushable products.
In addition to joint product innovation, the collaboration between Veocel and NBond will cover the three key pillars of product, service, and sustainability. On product, to differentiate from flushable products made of wood pulp, Veocel Lyocell fibres with Disperse technology will help strengthen NBond's nonwoven fabrics in wet conditions, ensuring flushability while improving user experience. Moist toilet tissues, sanitary napkins and other personal hygiene products produced by NBond, which adhere to G4 guidelines and the National Standards of China for flushability of nonwoven materials, can decompose easily after being immersed in water.
To date, high-quality, flushable, and degradable nonwoven products made of Veocel fibres have been widely recognized as a solution that covers fibre dispersion and strength.
Jinrui Gong, chief executive officer of NBond added: "Sustainability is not just a topic of consensus between the suppliers and manufacturers. With the macro direction to actively reduce carbon emissions across industry value chains, sustainability has become the basic standard for any nonwoven product globally. At NBond, sustainability will remain a core focus of what we do.
He continued: "Together with value chain partners and customers, we will continue to develop sustainable and biodegradable nonwovens products that are made of natural botanic materials, like Veocel fibres. Ongoing investments will also be made on innovative technologies that could improve our future product offerings."
On service, the technical support and consultancy service provided by Veocel will enable NBond to continuously optimize wetness, strength, thickness, safety, and sustainability in nonwovens fabrics, developing a strong portfolio of flushable products that focuses on comfort and care. In terms of sustainability, Veocel branded fibres, which have been certified by the EU Ecolabel for meeting high environmental standards throughout the entire life cycle of the fibres, can help NBond address heightened global consumer demand for premium nonwovens products that are made of botanic materials which can be biodegradable and compostable at the end of use.
