This was the title of the paper given to approximately 280 attendees at the third Cooperation Forum Biopolymers in Straubing by Dr. Haio Harms, CEO of Kelheim Fibres GmbH. The paper illustrated impressively the versatility of viscose fibres made in Kelheim and presented future-oriented applications possibilities for their use.
“Cellulose- and lingo cellulose-based materials and composites” was one of the main topics of the Forum organized by Bayern Innovativ in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Renewable Resources in Straubing – and Kelheim’s viscose fibres are a prime example of such materials.
Speciality fibres from Kelheim are high-performance materials which can substitute oil based synthetic materials in certain applications and deliver equal or even better performance; filters and speciality papers are examples of end products which can benefit from Kelheim’s fibres – and even carbon fibres are made from viscose fibre precursors.
In addition to this, viscose fibres are made from 100% renewable cellulose as a raw material and are therefore completely biodegradable. As a result, the field trip to the speciality fibre manufacturer’s headquarters at Kelheim, which was offered as part of the additional programme of the cooperation forum, was met with great interest. Around 50 visitors were given the opportunity to see the production plant and Kelheim’s R&D pilot plants.
