Eastman Features Cellulose Esters Technologies at INDEX ‘05

Eastman Chemical Company highlights its enabling cellulose ester technologies for applications in nonwoven products at the INDEX 2005 show in Geneva, Switzerland from April 12-15 at booth '2554. Cellulose esters are critical components in the manufacturing of nonwovens--from fiber production and material enhancement, to converting and finishing.

Eastman Chemical Company highlights its enabling cellulose ester technologies for applications in nonwoven products at the INDEX 2005 show in Geneva, Switzerland from April 12-15 at booth '2554. Cellulose esters are critical components in the manufacturing of nonwovens--from fiber production and material enhancement, to converting and finishing. Formulated into the fiber, film, or coating of an application, cellulose ester technologies can enhance the breatheability, fiber performance and even delivery of functional additives in nonwovens. Eastman cellulose esters, including Eastman CA (cellulose acetate), Eastman CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate), Eastman CAP (cellulose acetate propionate) and Eastman CTA (cellulose triacetate), are semi-synthetic polymers prepared from a renewable resource, cellulose, which is a natural polymer and a major component of plant-cell walls. Cellulosic materials are already used in many nonwoven applications in the form of viscose filaments (a regenerated form of cellulose), which are applied to fibers, spun-bonded fabrics such as polyester, and filter membranes. They can be fabricated into films or fibers by either melt- or solvent-based processes, which include melt extrusion, solvent casting, melt spinning, solvent spinning, or even “dry” solvent spinning –spinning materials from solvent into air.