Flushability Has Become An Important Factor In Hygiene And Care Products

Austria-basedLenzing AG reports its TENCEL? cellulose fiber in a short-cut type is suitablefor use in flushable wipes. Flushability has become an important factor inhygiene and care products, as many nonflushable items are disposed of in atoilet, leading to blockages in sewer systems.
 
According to Lenzing, disposable wipes madeusing its biodegradable Tencel fiber are more tear-resistant than wipes madewith traditional materials such as pulp and short-cut viscose. In addition,because Tencel is stronger than short-cut viscose, fewer fibers are needed tomake a wipe of comparable quality; and using Tencel in the wipes reduces theneed for binding agents.
 
“Quality does not, however, only mean enhancedservice properties but also refers to the skin-friendly attributes of Tencel,”said Dieter Eichinger, Ph.D., Hytec market segment head, Lenzing. “The fiberhas already demonstrated in tests that it is particularly well suited tosensitive skin. The exceptionally smooth surface of Tencel makes the fiberideal for the skin and prevents skin irritations. For this reason, wipes ofTencel are particularly smooth and gentle on the skin.”