As part of an effort to develop new products for its existing markets and expand into new markets, U.K.-based Don & Low Ltd. has invested in a new meltblown nonwovens line, which will begin operation in Forfar, Scotland in June 2016. The 1.6-meter-wide Oerlikon Neumag line represents a multi-million dollar investment for the nonwovens producer and expands its technological reach in the nonwovens industry.

Don & Low has been involved in nonwovens since 1989 when it started a 3.2-meter Reicofil line and has expanded its operation with two additional Reicofil lines since then. The line has largely targeted the home construction market  both in the U.K. and internationally but the company has also made strides in a number of medical areas.

With the new meltblown line, the company hopes to expand into a number of new markets including filtration, automotives, incontinence, absorbents and advanced composites.  It will have an initial capacity of more than 1000 tons.

“In line with our strategy to invest in new processes complimentary to existing ones, the need to embrace new materials, expand our capabilities in technical composite manufacture made the meltblown process an easy and practical choice,” says Keith Galloway, general manager, Nonwovens. “We hav exploited our current capabilities to near their limit and it was important to inject a new capability that would enhance the continued development of technical fabrics including composites.”
 
The new line will use a range of polymers including polypropylene, polyethylene and thermoplastic polyurethane and offers additional features like online air permeability, electrostatic charge capabilities, gap control calendars and multi-width splittings. This will allow Don + Low to produce meltlbown and composites to exact customer requirements.

Don + Low has been a subsidiary of Thrace Plastics since 2003. In addition to Don & Low’s three Reicofil line, its sister company, Thrace Nonwovens operates a 3.2 meter Reifenhauser line in Greece.