Procter & Gamble and Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials have agree on an exclusive license agreement that will allow the machinery supplier to market and sell the P&G’s patented Phantom platform worldwide. 

The P&G-developed process for hybrid nonwovens combines the best of both airlaid and spunmelt technologies to deliver new, flexible ways of creating wet and dry wipes while offering additional benefits of reducing resources and cost, while increasing overall performance. The exclusive license gives Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials the right distribute this technology worldwide.

Oerlikon Nonwoven – Teknoweb Materials have also refined the process into their own Levra technology – an entry-level option offering tailored production volumes with lower investment costs while offering the option to be upgraded to the premium Phantom model in the future.

Essentially, Phantom technology was developed to produce hybrid substrates. The spunmelt and airlaid processes are merged into one step to combine cellulose fibers, long fibers such as cotton, or even powders with polymer fibers in unprecedented ways. This technology has clear advantages in terms of resources, performance, and cost compared to the previous processes on the market. Removing hydroentanglement makes it no longer necessary to dry the material. Adjusting the process can optimize relevant product characteristics such as softness, strength, dirt absorption, and liquid absorption. In the end, this even increases the quality of the product itself. 

The greater freedom for formulating continuous and discrete fibers allows for more flexible and absorbent structures and highly textured materials. Wipes feel softer to the touch while providing more protection for the hands. Up to 90% of the material can consist of pulp fibers, although natural alternatives like cotton or synthetic fibers can be added to the mix.

Phantom technology has not only found a practical application in a variety of wipes – for applications such as hygiene, anti-bacterial wipes, surgical and industrial wipes – but also in absorbent cores, for instance in diapers or fempro products.