WEKO, Weitmann & Konrad GmbH & Co. KG, is a recognized partner for functional finishing equipment all over the world. Manufacturers and finishers of high-quality nonwovens offer a large selection of different functionalizations, e.g. hydrophilic, hydrophobic, antimicrobial, perfuming, flame-retardant, dirt-repellent or smoothing finishings. Liquid, water-based dispersions applied to the nonwovens are usually used for these functionalizations.

An application system specifically developed by WEKO offers high production and cost benefits compared to conventional application methods. Using the slogan “Don’t play – work with precision!” WEKO positions itself on the international market with a high-precision system that applies finishing chemicals on the nonwoven web in exactly metered quantities and absolutely clean – without gimmicks and wasting resources.

The finest micro-droplets are generated with the WEKO application system and then applied to the web by kinetic energy. Even smallest amounts of liquid can thus be applied to webs up to 7 m wide, uniformly and consistently. 

The WEKO system lets users adjust and control the application quantity so that the desired function of the finishing is reliably provided while reducing the amount of liquid required to a minimum. Enormous savings – due to minimizing the applied liquid and, in addition, the marked reduction of the required drier energy – are the result.

Further, WEKO application systems work contactless. The web remains dimensionally stable, both in length and width, and retains its original volume. Compared to touch and roller systems, the nonwoven web is not stretched by system-related tensile forces and does not require squeezing through rubber rollers either. This produces greater product quality.

In addition, thanks to the non-contact application extreme web speeds can be realized, especially with very thin nonwovens.

Thanks to the flexible rotor application liquid can be applied either to one side only or to both sides. Liquid application can be freely selected depending on the configuration of the system. Hydrophobic applications can be applied to one side, for example, to facilitate lamination of the back side. Likewise, applications can be realized where each side is finished with a different function. Even wet-in-wet applications can be produced thanks to the non-contact application as well as exact and minimum application quantity.

WEKO application systems also score well when it comes to sustainability. The capacity of the liquid tanks is variable and can be chosen according to the respective application conditions. Only a small amount of residual liquid is generated.

Non-contact application also prevents fibers, particles or pigments from being carried over into the downstream application liquids. The liquids remain largely clean and can therefore be reused for subsequent jobs, depending on the chemical stability. In addition to the positive environmental balance, disposal costs can be significantly reduced.