The Indorama Ventures (IVL) Hygiene Fibers Group showcased a wide range of recycled and biodegradable fiber solutions for nonwovens, at last week's INDEX show in Geneva (October 19-22).

The group – one of three business divisions that make up IVL – is particularly positioned to satisfy the tough market need for sustainable hygiene solutions because of its combination of polymers, technologies, processes, and worldwide reach.

Sustainability and enabling clients to accomplish circular objectives is now vital throughout the six brands and companies that make up Hygiene Fibers Group - Auriga, Avgol, FiberVisions, Indorama Asia, Trevira, and Wellman International.

At INDEX, the company unveiled CiCLO, a textile technology that allows polyester and other synthetic materials to biodegrade in wastewater treatment plant sludge, seawater, and landfill conditions in the same way that natural materials do, reducing synthetic microfibre pollution generated during washing and reducing plastic accumulation in landfills caused by discarded textiles.

Over the last 12 months, Aurifa, Trevira, and Wellman have been collaborating with CiCLO on sustainable PET and rPET staple fiber and filament solutions in areas where recycling is particularly difficult, such as hygiene, home textiles, and automotive applications.

Trevira also introduced a new range of bicomponent fibers based on PLA and PBS (polybutylene succinate). Both biopolymers offer an exceptional technological opportunity in terms of environmental care and sustainability while delivering optimum performance. Like PLA, PBS is recyclable and up to 100% biodegradable under industrial conditions.

Wellman International meanwhile offers an extensive range of 100% recycled, accredited PET fibers under the Deja brand platform, while polyolefin producers FiberVisions, ES-Fibervisions and spunmelt leader Avgol, have partnered with UK-based Polymateria to commercially harness its biotransformation technology. This patented technology alters the properties of polyolefins to make them biodegradable in a natural process. 

Other polyolefin innovations include Avgol's biosurfactant and biocolorant developments, as well as FiberVisons' sustainable design solutions, which offer lightweight, high-performance, low-carbon solutions.