At the upcoming Techtextil, which takes place in Frankfurt at the end of April 2024, Kelheim Fibres and Gebrüder Otto will showcase their joint concept aimed at making period underwear more sustainable and high performing.

Exhibiting at the BW-i joint stand and the IVGT joint stand, both located in Hall 12.1, the innovation partners will present their solution for period underwear made from biobased materials, distinguished by outstanding performance metrics. The various specialty viscose fibres used in this solution are sourced from Kelheim, while Gebrüder Otto expertly spins them into the appropriate compositions.

On average, a woman consumes about 15,000 hygiene products in her lifetime, primarily disposable items that generate significant waste, according to Kelheim. Their plastic components take up to 500 years to decompose, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces over time, the company adds. The trend toward making female hygiene products, both disposable and reusable, more sustainable has been growing in recent years and the category includes not only biodegradable disposables, but also washable period panties offered by established lingerie manufacturers and innovative start-ups.

Enhancing sustainability and performance

Enhancing sustainability and performance of reusable products is where fibre manufacturer Kelheim Fibres and yarn spinner Gebrüder Otto step in, aiming to make period underwear as comfortable, high-performing, and sustainable as possible.

The solution is akin to solving a puzzle, considering that period underwear is constructed from multiple layers with different functions. For instance, the topsheet must quickly absorb and divert liquid away from the body, while the subsequent acquisition-distribution layer (ADL) ensures rapid and optimal distribution of the liquid within the absorbent core, which then encapsulates the liquid, preventing potential leakage.

Pooling expertise

With the optimal combination of Kelheim's specialty fibres and Otto's perfectly matched yarn types, the two innovation partners say they have solved the puzzle. The result is a prototype that outperforms conventional solutions in terms of liquid absorption speed, capacity, and rewet values.

"Based on the requirements and test results Kelheim has determined for the various layers, we develop our yarn blends," explains Andreas Merkel, Managing Director of Gebr. Otto. "We can promptly supply the desired yarns for short-term requests, including special inquiries from lingerie brands."

Inherently sustainable

The collaborative innovation between Kelheim Fibres and Gebrüder Otto is a significant gain for the sustainability of period underwear. Not only do both companies utilise efficient state-of-the-art technology, but Kelheim's biobased viscose fibres also contribute to the eco-friendliness of the product.

Additionally, the partnership between the two German companies enables an exceptionally short supply chain. Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, Director of New Business Development at Kelheim Fibres, emphasises: "Short supply chains are not only environmentally friendly but also crucial for compliance with supply chain laws and product responsibility. Regional partnerships like the one with Gebrüder Otto ensure that our supply chain is transparent and efficient, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future."

For the fabrics for the prototype, Kelheim collaborated with Magnolab and Santoni. The yarns can be used in all kinds of knitted structures - flat knitted, circular knitted, and seamless fabrics.

Gebrüder Otto

Gebrüder Otto, based in the Upper Swabian town of Dietenheim, is a leading provider of textile solutions across Europe. Traditionally, the company focuses on high-quality yarns and threads made from cotton, produced in its own spinning, twisting, and dyeing mills. In addition, Otto offers a continuously expanding, customised portfolio of technical and medical yarns and textiles at its two locations in Balzheim and Dietenheim.

Gebrüder Otto places particular emphasis on sustainability, forward-looking solutions, and 100% customer orientation. Own brands such as Piumafil and Recot² underline this claim, as well as numerous awards and certifications. Founded in 1901, Gebrüder Otto remains a family-owned company to this day. With around 160 employees, Otto has a turnover of approximately 30 million euros in 2023.

Kelheim Fibres

Kelheim Fibres GmbH is a world-leading manufacturer of viscose speciality fibres. Innovative products, flexible technologies and an exceptional focus on sustainability form the foundation of the company’s success.

Kelheim’s speciality fibres are used in most diverse applications from fashion, hygiene and medical products to nonwovens and speciality papers. All of its fibres are made from 100% wood pulp from PEFC or FSCTM certified sources (FSCTM C009583). 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.

The production takes place exclusively in Germany and complies with strict German environmental legislation. Kelheim’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.otto-garne.com