Using different technologies, we produce special papers and nonwovens. On our paper machines, we produce wet-laid nonwovens while, on our meltblown machines, we make dry-laid, fully synthetic micro-fibred nonwovens. Impregnation and coating lines allow us to add special properties using water- or solvent-based systems. Our lamination line uses different bonding technologies and supports the further specialisation of our media.
In our own research and development centres, and using our own expertise, experience, know-how and new ideas, we develop solutions for our technical media based on cellulose, synthetics and nonwovens, all of which are used in many diverse applications.
The principle of wet-laid process is similar to traditional paper manufacturing. The difference lies in the amount of synthetic fibers present. A dilute slurry of water and fibers is deposited on a moving wire screen and drained to form a web, then thermally bonded. Our company uses both incline and flat wire paper machines, combining a wide variety of fibers, and saturants to create unique and specialized products for our customers.
Our Synthetic wet-laid materials are thermally bonded nonwovens incorporating polyester (PET) or bicomponent fibers. This Cranemat® products are offered in both high bulk or calendered forms to enhance the range of physical performance characteristics including: tensile strength, tear strength, porosity, permeability, absorption, and laminate strength. The Grammage varies from 17.5gsm to 140gsm (0.5osy to 4.0osy) and its uniform formation gives these products versatility in the market place.
Our nonwoven material made of glass is formed by a special wet-lay process using chopped strand glass fibers of various lengths. First manufactured in 1970, the Craneglas® line of products is used extensively in a wide range of industrial, commercial, and consumer applications where low thermal conductivity and superior thermal / flammability resistance are mandatory.
Craneglas® is available in basis weights from 18gms to over 650gsm (0.5osy to over 20.0osy) with specialty binders and coatings available to provide enhanced thermal stability, chemical resistance, absorbency, and other properties
Using inclined and flat wire paper machines, we produce a further range of products - technical special papers. Alongside selected cellulose fibres, we use synthetic, glass or carbon fibres to give further special properties, such as strength.
With creping technology, we can achieve different surface characteristics, from very fine to very rough crepe profiles, and with various stretch properties.
Depending on requirements, we can produce weights of 18 – 250g/m² and air permeabilities of 1 – 2000 l/m²/s.
Our media are also available with FSC® certification
The FSC® certification stands for sustainable forest management - the careful use of resources. In our case, cellulose, which we use for most of our products.
Through this certification, we ensure that for FSC® products only celluloses are used, which are produced and processed under the strict FSC® rules.
Thus, we support our customers in their efforts to produce products with the FSC® label.
For more information, see www.fsc.org
Neenah impregnates its special technical papers using the Kiss Coat process based on methanol or, in a size press, based on water. Impregnating with phenolic, epoxy, acrylic resins or latex gives high strength, dimensional stability and improves resistance to solvents, chemicals and high temperatures.
Special additives, depending on need, can be added to give further functionality. For example, hydrophobic, hydrophilic or oleophobic properties, flame retardancy, various colors, UV stability, bactericides, fungicides, etc, can all be built-in.
Using two further coating devices [air knives], we can add still further functionality.
Meltblown technology is one of the most effective ways to make very fine, highly efficient filter media. A meltblown fibre has a diameter of less than 10µm, many times finer than a human hair, which has a diameter of 120µm, or a cellulose fibre of about 50µm.
The raw material is a thermo-plastic synthetic material which is melted and forced through an extruder consisting of a very large number of tiny nozzles. Immediately after exiting the nozzles, the individual filaments are blown by hot air in the same direction while still in their semi-melted state, extending them and creating very fine, endless fibres, within a few milliseconds.
Using this dry-laid process, Neenah Gessner can produce media with weights from 10 – 300g/m².
Alternatively, the meltblown can be directly applied to a carrier media [cellulose or spunbond], producing combination media in one step.
Additional there are many options to choose: fiber diameter, thickness, grammage, FDA-conformity, haptic surface design, resistance to chemicals, heat resistance, compostability, dust loading, low shedding surface polarity, UV-Protection, antibacterial, colors, elctrocharging and antistatics
Polypropylene [PP]
PP is the most commonly used polymer. Meltblowns produced from it are mainly used in air filter applications, such as cabin air filters or vacuum cleaner bags. Of particular advantage is our ability to electrostatically charge the meltblown fibres, giving them even higher dust removal efficiency for fine particles.
Polycarbonate [PC]
PC is becoming steadily more popular in air filtration applications. While possessing the same advantages as polypropylene, it gives even higher efficiencies at the same level of air porosity.
Polybutylterephtelate [PBT]
PBT is characterised by a very high melting temperature and high resistance to hot or aggressive liquids such as hot oils or biodiesel.
Polyamide [PA]
Similar to PBT but has various other advantages when filtering special liquids such as diesel fuel. Otherwise, it is usable in many applications. For bonded nonwovens, it defines itself by its higher melt temperature compared to PA.
Thermo-plastic Polyurathane [TPU]
TPU is a highly elastic product used wherever extremely high stretch is needed, such as in food packaging or pharmaceutical applications, and wherever a good bonding to different substrates is required. Our TPU has FDA approval.
Elastic Polypropylene [ePP]
This is achieved by combining a standard PP with a precisely defined level of elasticity, producing a predictable and defined level of stretch.
Neenah Filtration’s lamination line is capable of combining substrates such as paper, wet- or dry-laid nonwovens and films, as well as any combination of these, into a final multi-layered material.
Two bonding technologies and a finely adjustable web tension system allow us to process many light weight materials, as well as substrates with high stretch.
An ultrasonic bonding system with its dot-array pattern is used to bond up to four layers in one process step. Alternatively, the adhesive unit can spray either hotmelt adhesive or reactive hotmelts for a full-surface lamination of two layers in one process step.
