A recent pilot plant trial has demonstrated the possibility of using market pulps for the manufacture of different types of nonwoven products.
In research by Canadian based FPInnovations, pulp fibres were coated with polymers, a sizing agent and fire retardant chemicals and blended with synthetic fibres. A dry-laid process was used to manufacture different prototypes for thermal insulation, sound insulation and automobile interior panels.
These new products showed better performance on impact sound insulation than the best acoustic products currently used in building construction. The airborne acoustic performance was also comparable to existing products on the market. This development confirmed the potential applications of nonwoven cellulose fibre products for the building, automotive and related industries.
