Kelheim Fibres has developed viscose fibre speciality Danufil QR, making disinfectant wipes overcome a problem. Use of viscose fibres in antiseptic wipes comes with a problem despite their excellent fluid handling properties. The fibres bind certain disinfectants which interfere with the wipe’s function. The viscose speciality Danufil QR reduces this effect.

The active substances are quaternary ammonium compounds. These so-called “quats“ are positively charged. Standard viscose fibres are negatively charged which is why up to 80 per cent of the quats are tightly bound to the fibre – meaning they are no longer available for their actual purpose. With the viscose speciality Danufil QR, the Bavarian fibres experts have developed a positively charged viscose fibre that can reduce this undesired effect to less than 10 per cent.

As a result, by far the largest proportion of the quats is available for effective cleaning. Danufil QR receives its functionality through the incorporation of a – completely bio-degradable - additive into the fibre’s core. Therefore, the functionality is evenly distributed and cannot migrate from the material. While viscose fibres are long established raw materials for other hygiene, medical or food applications, Danufil QR offers all the well-known benefits of viscose fibres such as absorbency, softness and skin-friendliness for disinfectant wipes.

Kelheim’s viscose fibres also score high points for eco-friendliness, particularly in convenient disposable products: Danufil QR is made of 100 per cent renewable raw materials. The cellulose used for these fibres comes exclusively from FSC- or PEFC-certified sources. In addition to this, Danufil QR has successfully taken its first steps in practice. (SV)