#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-05-28

W+D/BICMA develops 3 ply face mask line with a lower cost mask design

W+D has more than 100 years of high-speed industry shaping innovations (c) 2020 INDA

The W+D/BICMA hygiene group of Winkler and Dünnebier reacting to the worldwide shortage and peak demand for high quality lower cost face masks has developed a fully automatic, high-speed face mask converting line for the production of high quality disposable face masks. This new converting line will be able to produce masks for surgical grade applications at up to 800 face masks per minute with a new lower cost ear loop design.

The new AUXILIUM FM mask line laminates and converts three layers of fabrics (spun bond, melt blown, thermo-bonded nonwovens and others) and ensures highest quality hygiene standards for “flat masks” or “surgical masks” with a metal stay for better comfort and fit over the nose (even for those wearing glasses). W+D/BICMA brings proven technology in automatic unwinding and splicing for nonwoven webs; cutting and positioning devices; and heat (or ultrasonic) edge welding.

The new AUXILIUM FM mask line has a speed of up to 150 m/min (492 ft/min) and is able to produce up to 1 million high quality face masks per day making it one of the fastest production mask machines in the world. Adding to the manufacturing throughput efficiency are the unique lower cost ear loops with more affordable Lycra® thereby maximizing lowest cost per piece mass production. There are also different options available for mask stacking and packing automation which make this mask machine further suited for Industry 4.0 manufacturing.

1 million high quality surgical masks per day output capability of the new W+D/BICMA AUXILIUM FM (c) 2020 W+ D

W+D/BICMA is one of the globally leading specialists for converting machines for the production of hygiene end products: Tissue products, diapers for children and adults, feminine hygiene products, absorbent pads and now also surgical face masks.

For more information on this new face machine and samples of new lower cost facemask contact :

facemasks@wdnorthamerica.com or https://www.bicma.com/en/home/

2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award® finalists revealed

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the three finalists for the 2026 World of WipesInnovation Award®. The finalists are The Clorox Company for their Clorox™ Refreshables™, Lenzing Fibers, Inc. for their Lenzing™ DualWipe, and Rockline Industries for their First Defense™ Fentanyl Detection Wipe.

INDA honors four industry leaders with 2026 Lifetime Service and Technical Achievement Awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the four distinguished recipients of the 2026 INDA Lifetime Service Award and Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. Tom Daugherty, Pricie Hanna, Carey Hobbs, and CK Wong are being recognized for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to advancing the nonwovens industry and strengthening the global community it serves.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.

Textile performance for the global market: Heimtextil 2027 connects interior design, quality and global sourcing

With the new premium segment Carpets & Rugs Excellence, the Comfort & Connect area and the Heimtextil Trends 27/28, Heimtextil 2027 is sharpening its offering for a market under pressure. Today, textile products need to prove their quality, functionality and long-term value. From 12 to 15 January 2027, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design showcases relevant innovations across the entire value chain: from fibres and yarns to designs by international studios and emerging talent, through to finished collections, functional contract textiles and complete interior solutions.

Blue Tomato accelerates agile retail apparel production with Kornit Digital

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT), a global pioneer in on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, is highlighting how Blue Tomato, Europe’s largest board sports retailer, is using two Kornit Atlas MAX PLUS systems to support a more agile approach to in-house apparel production. The systems are helping Blue Tomato respond faster to changing consumer trends, produce high-quality apparel for its network of 86 retail stores across Europe and reduce inventory by printing only what the market demands.