Under the motto ‘Rethink Nonwovens’, Henkel will present breakthrough solutions to enhance the sustainability and efficiency in nonwovens manufacturing at Index23, to be held from April 18-21, at Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland. At stand 2255, Henkel will showcase Technomelt DM ECO, a new sustainability-focused adhesives grade for the nonwovens market.

For high-performance, high-efficiency bonding applications, Henkel will present its state-of-the-art Easyflow hot melt adhesive solution, which employs an auto-feed system for safe and efficient delivery to set new standards in process performance. At Index23, visitors can also learn more about Smart Adult Care, an innovative solution from Henkel Qhesive Solutions that combines nonwovens with printable electronics to revolutionise adult incontinence management, the company said in a press release.

With Technomelt DM ECO, Henkel is launching a sustainability-focused grade for the first time to the European Nonwovens market. The new range of direct bio-based adhesives for hygiene products construction, enables elastics and positioning applications to be carried out with more than 50 per cent bio-based, non-fossil sources. In this way, Technomelt DM ECO makes more sustainable product designs possible, while helping hygiene manufacturers reduce their CO2 footprint. The adhesives range is compatible with renewable and standard substrates without compromising on process efficiency.

Henkel will also present its Easyflow hot melt adhesive system at Index23. This cutting-edge adhesive is based on a new pressure-sensitive, patented product form that enables safe and efficient delivery, and increases production line’s efficiency. Supplied in small, non-sticky micro chubs, the adhesive’s unique form melts on demand, and enables the auto-feeding of Technomelt DM adhesives into hot melt tanks to enhance safety and operations while avoiding interruptions to production. The auto-feeding process minimises the time the adhesive is molten inside the tank, reducing the risk of the build-up of VOCs while also reducing energy consumption by up to 20 per cent. Easyflow’s closed system integration reduces the risk of adhesives contamination from foreign materials entering the hotmelt tanks.

Index23 will also provide visitors to the Henkel booth with the opportunity to learn more about an exciting new hygiene solution being trialled by Henkel Qhesive Solutions, bringing nonwoven hygiene products into the digital ecosystem. Smart Adult Care, part of Henkel Qhesive Solutions’ offering and developed in co-operation with Smartz, transforms conventional adult diapers into connected medical devices by printing flexible sensors directly onto the backsheet of the incontinence product, to enable remote monitoring of moisture, movement and temperature. Trials in a residential care home have demonstrated that the solution is helping caregivers to provide better care to patients through more timely changes, while saving waste when reducing unnecessary changes.