#Spinning

2019-10-10

First RF5 line starts spinning successfully

The first line of the new RF5 generation has successfully extruded the first filaments at the nonwoven manufacturer PFN. Reifenhäuser Reicofil sets new standards in quality, output, line availability, efficiency, and machine intelligence with the new technology for the production of spunbond, meltblown, and composite nonwovens. The spunbond and meltblown technologies were totally revised for the RF5 technology The RF5 is also equipped with digital solutions from the Reifenhäuser Digital Business Platform. This paves the way for intelligent machines and intelligent production.

“I’m delighted that the first RF5 line has started spinning successfully,” says Markus Müller, Sales Director at Reifenhäuser Reicofil. “I’m even more delighted that we were able to take this step in collaboration with our long-standing customer PFN. PFN started operations with our first RF1 line generation in 1992. Since then, the company has continually switched to our latest and best generation. And this is no exception now.”

High flexibility of the new line for decisive market edge

The semi-commercial line features high flexibility, thus permitting PFN to develop new products. Besides polypropylene, the line processes polyester. When combined with other products, it produces the components for diapers. Today, these components are produced separately in different processes. The specifications also include the production of Full High Loft. As a producer of nonwovens mainly used in the hygiene sector, PFN gains a significant market edge through RF5 technology.

Fully equipped with digitalization

The RF5 line is the first generation equipped with digital solutions from the Reifenhäuser Digital Business Platform. PFN is now based on a full equipment solution. It includes all the available modules that feature intuitive operation, continuous process and quality monitoring, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection. For example, the line offers operators a productivity analysis that predicts exactly when a wear part will fail. It warns the operator of spinning dysfunction before it occurs and provides a troubleshooting guide.

Focus on purity of final product and sustainability

In addition, the RF5 line is equipped with an anti-contamination package providing an extremely high-purity end product. It also reduces noise, which improves working conditions for operators.

When it comes to sustainability, Reicofil has also tuned energy consumption for efficiency. The Blue Package reduces energy consumption to achieve greater sustainability in production. For example, the extruders and calenders are specially insulated and the fans are equipped with high-efficiency motors.

In September, a second line was commissioned at another customer. A third commissioning is planned for December.

Please go here for all details on RF5 technology: www.future.reicofil.com. For more information on Digital Business Platform modules, go here: www.reifenhauser-digital.com

Reifenhäuser wins German Design Award for new user interface

At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the Reifenhäuser Group unveiled its new company-wide machine user interface, which offers a uniform design language for blown film, flat film, and nonwoven lines – and stands out for its particularly simple operation. The overall concept impressed not only customers, but also the jury of the German Design Awards, who honored the system with the prestigious design prize during the trade fair.

Reifenhäuser NEXT: Tackling the skills shortage and achieving operational excellence with industrial AI

At K 2025, the Reifenhäuser Group will demonstrate Industrial AI's full potential for productivity in plastics processing. At the heart of the dedicated “Reifenhäuser NEXT” brand is a powerful AI chatbot that enables even inexperienced line operators to quickly solve complex tasks in their daily work, thereby maximizing availability, productivity, and quality.

Reifenhäuser strengthens field service operations in the Middle East and Africa

Reifenhäuser Group, a global leader in plastics extrusion technology, announces a significant expansion of its field service operations across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. Building on a longstanding presence in the region, which includes a sales office established in United Arab Emirates five years ago, Reifenhäuser is now taking a major step forward to enhance its local customer support and service capabilities.

Rieter Annual General Meeting 2026: Shareholders approve all board proposals

At the Annual General Meeting of Rieter Holding Ltd. held on April 16, 2026, 342 shareholders representing 64.0% of the share capital approved all motions proposed by the Board of Directors. The shareholders adopted the Annual Report as well as the Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements for 2025. They also granted discharge to the members of the Board of Directors and the Group Executive Committee for their activities in the reporting year. In an advisory vote, the 2025 Report on Non-Financial Matters was also approved.

SAHM Winding Solutions and Vandewiele Automation present integrated automation solution for winding processes

For the first time at the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany (21 - 26 April), SAHM Winding Solutions (Hallo 12.0. / Booth 95) and Vandewiele Automation will be showcasing their combined automation expertise for industrial winding processes. Under the motto “Combining Automation. Maximizing Flow”, the two companies will demonstrate how automated package handling and robot-assisted yarn knotting can be integrated into a continuous production flow.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.

Aditya Birla Group showcases integrated technical textile capabilities at Techtextil 2026

As global industries rethink supply chains and accelerate the adoption of advanced materials, the Aditya Birla Group, a US$67‑billion global conglomerate, headquartered in Mumbai, India, showcased the full strength of its technical textiles portfolio at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt today. The Group’s presence underscored India’s transformation into a hub for high-value, performance-driven textile solutions within the global ecosystem.