International top 40

Nonwovens Industry, Sept, 2008 by Karen Bitz McIntyre, Ellen Wuagneux

In the filtration market, HMT offers non-diminishing filtration efficiency, giving users the ability to achieve the performance they need without electrostatic charges. Other benefits include lower pressure drop and improved efficiency as well as longer filter life. The addition of HMT to DuPont's portfolio provides a unique and differentiated nanofiber media that adds new value in filtration applications. HMT joins Typar, Tyvek and Sontara in offering a range of solutions for the filtration industry.

Beyond filtration, HMT has seen some interest in energy storage, rechargeable energy sources and in the high-end bedding and mattress area with product for severe allergy and asthma sufferers.

Currently, being made in Korea--DuPont Nonwovens' first Asian production facility--HMT bridges the gap between a membrane and traditional nonwovens and reinforces DuPont's commitment to selective barrier technology, an important part of DuPont Nonwovens since the beginning. Many of the applications for Tyvek--construction, medical packaging--take advantage of the material's ability to create a barrier.

The focus on selective barrier technology, however, does not mean that DuPont is deselecting areas beyond this scope. Areas of growth in recent years have included critical cleaning and specialty wipes using its spunlaced nonwovens and graphics and envelopes, which use Tyvek materials.

One area that has become a lower priority for DuPont is elastic nonwovens. After launching Engineered Elastic Nonwovens in April 2007--which were billed as stretchable fabrics designed to fit a range of industry needs--DuPont has taken a step back on this segment more recently. "As we have evaluated markets and looked at where the best return on investment will be, elastic nonwovens is an area where we have decided it wise to take a step back," said Ms. Cristanetti. "There are still some interesting applications for this material, but we are not continuing it at the same level."

Meanwhile, DuPont's long-standing nonwovens technologies continue to be a top priority for the business. Recently completed is an upgrade at DuPont's Luxembourg facility which allows the company to produce Tyvek with a high-tech metallization as well as other coatings within the material's fiber structure. In Richmond, DuPont has expanded and improved secondary processing capabilities for construction applications using Tyvek material.

While construction has been softer than it has historically, particularly in North America, it is just one of several application areas for Tyvek, and officials have noted growth across many other core markets including medical packaging, protective apparel, envelopes and graphics.

"There have really been a number of bright spots for Tyvek," Mr. Granger said. "As we look at Tyvek, we have a more efficient and cost-effective production profile than some of the competitive products out there. We also are looking at how Tyvek can fully leverage its superior strength-to-weight ratio versus other products, which can have advantages in terms of specific applications as well as in costs or productivity--for example, installation of banners or transportation costs."