Ahlstrom-Munksjö, a global leader in fibre-based materials, has come up with security fibres to confront global counterfeiting within the abrasive backings industry. The fibres are added to the coated abrasive backing paper during the manufacturing process making it easy for producers to identify the quality of the product and avoid counterfeits.

The fibres include both coloured and fluorescent fibres and the corresponding technology is registered under the label ‘Be secure’.

Security fibres can be used to assure product traceability, without affecting either the mechanical or chemical characteristics of the backing paper, according to a press release from Ahlstrom-Munksjö. This limits the risk of counterfeiting and enables producers to clearly identify the requested product quality, when the material is further processed in the value chain. By using the requested quality, the users of the abrasive product can protect themselves from potential breaks or damages in the production process and potential health injuries when the product is used in industrial sanding.

“Offering our customers a solution that assures product traceability is a clear differentiating factor for us. Our Chinese customer Zibo Riken, a manufacturer of coated abrasive, chose a custom-made fluorescent fibre to be used in the products we supply them. Through this unique product specification, they were able to secure a stable product quality and were able to increase their sales volume significantly,” said Daniel Qiu, sales manager at Ahlstrom-Munksjö. (PC)