ANDRITZ neXline wetlace: Dispersible, bio-based and plastic-free wipes

Wetlace™ is an ANDRITZ development

The original Wetlace™ nonwoven process, developed by ANDRITZ, combines wetlaid inclined wire forming with hydroentanglement. This unique method enables the production of flushable wipes made from 100% natural fibers, completely free from chemical binders or plastic components. Fabrics produced with Wetlace™ already met EDANA/INDA flushability standards in 2011 and 2013 - successfully passing all seven required tests.

Challenges of designing true fushable and dispersable wipes

Strong when you take it, gentle when you use it, and gone when you’re done.

These wipes must have excellent tensile strength because they are pulled through the different stages of production, wetted and packed during the conversion process, and the end-user expects to have a wipe that doesn’t disintegrate before or during use. 

Once flushed, however, this stability has to disappear entirely so that the product will virtually dissolve in the sewage water system. Finally, the fibers needs to be biodegradable, which means that they do not harm the environment.

How the ANDRITZ Wetlace™ process enables water‑dispersible / flushable wipes?

The main impact comes from the fiber blend of wood pulp and man-made cellulosic fibers, web forming on the inclined wire, and mechanical bonding by the hydroentanglement unit. Wetlaid forming is perfect in terms of achieving excellent web uniformity and product quality. Hydroentanglement ideally complements the wetlaid technology by entangling the fibers without any chemical binders or thermoplastic fibers.