Germany’s Kelheim Fibres, a leading manufacturer of specialty viscose fibres, and the Italian textile machinery manufacturer, Santoni, were honoured with the ITMF International Cooperation Award 2023 during the ITMF Annual Conference in Keqiao, China.

The prestigious recognition by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) acknowledges outstanding achievements in international collaboration within the textile

industry in alignment with the values of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Together, Kelheim Fibres and Santoni developed an innovative and sustainable period panty, built upon advanced machine technology and high-performance viscose fibres. The result is a sustainable and high-performance underwear garment that seamlessly combines comfort and functionality.

Santoni's specialised machinery enables a significant reduction in fabric waste, or even the potential for entirely waste-free production. Simultaneously, it enhances production efficiency, leading to cost savings. Kelheim Fibres' wood-based specialty fibres, such as the trilobal Galaxy and the hollow Bramante fibre, replace synthetic materials in the absorbent core of the menstrual underwear. They offer excellent performance and reliable protection for the wearer.

Natalie Wunder, Project Manager for New Business Development at Kelheim Fibres, commented: "At Kelheim Fibres, we are dedicated to the open innovation approach. Collaborating with our partners across the value chain, we craft innovations that draw the best from all sources. This partnership not only consolidates expertise but also accelerates the entire innovation process. As a result, we ensure that our developments align with market needs and deliver sustainable solutions. With our project in collaboration with Santoni, we have achieved a new level in the domain of sustainable menstrual underwear. We take pride in the ITMF honouring our achievements with the International Cooperation Award, which serves as recognition of our work and inspiration for future collaborations."

Kelheim Fibres’ innovative products, flexible technologies and an exceptional focus on sustainability form the foundation of the company’s success. Its speciality fibres are used in most diverse applications from fashion, hygiene and medical products to nonwovens and speciality papers. All of the company’s fibres are made from 100% wood pulp from PEFCTM or FSC certified sources. They are fully biodegradable and offer an environmentally sound alternative to petroleum-based materials in a broad range of different end products – while maintaining or even enhancing the functional performance of the product.

Kelheim’s production takes place exclusively in Germany and complies with strict German environmental legislation. The company’s closed-loop philosophy and an energy-efficient way to operate its plants help to save valuable resources. Kelheim Fibres is the first viscose manufacturer worldwide with an EMAS-validated environmental management system.

www.kelheim-fibres.com

www.santoni.com