#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles
Ahlstrom- Munksjö's new product portfolio offers a full suite of fabrics for face masks, including biodegradable and compostable materials
TenderGuard™ BioBased and BioFilter Barrier Face Covering Offering
TenderGuard™ BioBased can be used as an inner or outer coverstock layer of a civil face mask. It is highly breathable, biocompatible, and non-irritating, so it's gentle on the skin and comfortable to wear for long durations. Mainly comprised of polylactic acid, which is a biopolymer made from sustainable and renewable sources, TenderGuard™ BioBased is an alternative to synthetic spunbond material.
TenderGuard™ BioFilter is a sustainable filter media that can be used as a single layer or combined as a double layer for higher filtration performance in a barrier face covering. This unique fabric is made up of a special blend of cellulosic and cellulose-based manmade fibers making the filter media 100% bio-based.
"Using technology from our business and the expertise of the medical product development team, we were able to advance product functionality in our smart fiber-based solutions. Having products that are sustainable, renewable, and biocompatible allows for the opportunity to provide environmentally friendly options," commented Stuart Nixon, VP, Beverage and Casing, Ahlstrom-Munksjö.
TenderGuard™ Natural and Smooth Medical Face Mask Offering
The TenderGuard™ product portfolio consists of protective fabrics applicable for medical use as well. TenderGuard™ Natural is a wetlaid fabric that can be used as the inner or outer layer of a face mask. It is environmentally friendly, and the hypoallergic inner layer makes it super soft for the wearer.
With both layers together, TenderGuard™ Natural?achieves nearly 50% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency, which is remarkable without a filtration layer included.
TenderGuard™ Smooth consists of bicomponent spunbond fabrics that are made with a proprietary technology that minimizes raised fibers. This creates a smooth surface to help eliminate any skin irritation, which is essential when it comes to a face mask. TenderGuard™ Smooth?is hypoallergenic, so it is gentler on the skin, making it ideal to wear for long durations.
"Ahlstrom-Munksjö is one of the world's leading players in sustainable solutions. With the addition of TenderGuard™ face mask fabrics, it further underscores our mission to expand the role for a sustainable everyday life while providing a protective and comfortable product," commented Lionel Bonte, VP, Medical, Ahlstrom-Munksjö.
