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ExxonMobil Chemical Demonstrates Its Global Leadership in Nonwovens Technology at Index 08
Wednesday 30. April 2008 - ExxonMobil Chemical will demonstrate its global leadership and commitment to nonwovens technology at booth 2115 in Hall 2 at INDEX 08 in Geneva from April 15-18, 2008. On display will be ExxonMobil Chemicals portfolio of Vistamaxx specialty elastomers and its polypropylene (PP) solutions for nonwoven applications.
Since the launch at INDEX 05, Vistamaxx specialty elastomers continue to accelerate into nonwoven applications and, in particular, hygiene absorbent products (HAP) such as diapers. To support this growth, as well as increased demand for PP, ExxonMobil Chemical announced in September 2007 that it will proceed with a second world-scale steam cracker complex in Singapore, which will includea 450,000 tons-per-year PP unit and a 300,000 tons-per-year specialty elastomers unit.
Vistamaxx specialty elastomers are being used in a growing range of nonwoven applications including hygiene, medical, filtration and industrial because of their versatile benefits and product qualities. These include good elasticity, toughness, the ability to bond easily with other materials for advanced processing, design flexibility, and a high coefficient of friction for slip resistant applications.
“By using Vistamaxx specialty elastomers, nonwovens producers are able to make an elastic fabric in a single step using a variety of spunbond equipment. In the past, this was possible only in a multistep process. Eliminating steps in the process can reduce total system cost while achieving the required performance,” said Simon Holmes, global marketing manager, specialty elastomers, ExxonMobil Chemical. “Vistamaxx specialty elastomers also allow increased capability in multi-beam processing lines to include elasticity in multi-layer fabrics.”
ExxonMobil Chemicals broad portfolio of PP solutions for nonwovens includes ExxonMobil SFT315 polypropylene, ExxonMobil PP3155 polypropylene, Achieve 3854 polypropylene and its meltblown grades.
ExxonMobil SFT315 polypropylene offers cotton-like softness, excellent drapability and good abrasion resistance, making it ideal for use in disposable garments and HAP. Nonwovens made with ExxonMobil SFT315 polypropylene can be combined easily with other nonwovens or films to meet required performance specifications.
ExxonMobil PP3155 polypropylene is an industry standard for spunbond applications. Metallocene-catalyzed Achieve 3854 polypropylene provides uniformity for high speed, fine denier applications while ExxonMobil Chemicals meltblown grades offer ultra-high melt flow rates which provide high barrier performance for demanding healthcare and filtration applications.
At the show, the INDEX Awards recognize the best examples of excellence in innovation in the nonwovens industry. The awards panel, comprised of industry experts from marketing, research and development, the media and academia, has selected Vistamaxx specialty elastomers as one of three nominees for the category: Raw materials or component – innovation in a raw material of special relevance to the nonwovens industry. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held on the first day of INDEX.