Kelheim Fibres develops new viscose specialty fibre at Specialty Papers Conference in Bad Nauheim, Germany

Kelheim, Germany, Dec. 8, 2011 (Press Release) -
At this year's Specialty Papers Conference in Bad Nauheim Kelheim Fibres presented a newly developed viscose speciality fibre.

This fibre, christened Leonardo, was designed with a special focus on paper applications and extends the product range of the Bavarian fibre specialists targeted at this market, in which Kelheim Fibres have been drawing attention with a series of new "paper fibres" since 2009.

Leonardo is mainly characterized by its extremely flat cross section. In comparison with other flat viscose fibre specialities, Leonardo has a width to thickness ratio of 40 to 1. At the same time the fibre exhibits an extremely even fibre surface with completely parallel sides and an extremely regular cross section.

Leonardo can be produced up to three times thinner than standard flat viscose fibres. This, together with even fibre surface and the resulting modified light refraction properties deliver a uniquely transparent fibre from which a range of different end applications such as security and filter papers can benefit.

While it is generally possible to control a paper's characteristics such as bulk, tear length, tear resistance or porosity by adding viscose fibres, tests have shown that viscose fibres with a flat cross section improve the physical properties even more. This results from the better inter-fibre contact and the better fibre bonding of flat fibres in contrast to regular round fibres.

With Kelheim's flat fibre specialities it is even possible to produce a 100% viscose paper; this is not possible with standard viscose fibres. Furthermore, the paper's strength benefits from the use of thin fibres - another advantage offered by Leonardo. Finally, an anionic modification of the viscose fibres can increase the positive influence of adding fibre to the paper.

Leonardo is currently being thoroughly tested in a range of end products. "We follow several interesting projects at the moment." says Walter Roggenstein, head of R&D at Kelheim Fibres. "As a result of close cooperation with our customers we are able to ensure that we offer marketable solutions which work on an industrial scale."