DuPont opens a new US nonwoven fabrics facility
DuPont has opened a US$130m facility in Old Hickory, Tennessee, to produce innovative nonwoven fabrics that are said to offer users advanced levels of comfort and protection.
DuPont's proprietary Advanced Composite Technology (ACT) blends the properties of two different raw materials to create nonwoven fabrics that meet specific needs. 'The composite fabric technology will allow us to create an array of fabrics in direct response to the evolving needs of the medical industry,' said DuPont Nonwovens global business director David Flitman. The ACT's initial product is DuPont Suprel, a highly protective and comfortable fabric used for hospital operating gowns and patient drapes. Suprel is said to be the only medical fabric available that is made of polyester, for strength, and polyethylene, for softness. The material is made from continuous filament fibres and is very low linting. Traditional single-use medical fabrics can be uncomfortable when worn for an extended time, and can lack the necessary fluid barrier for protecting today's healthcare professionals. According to DuPont, Suprel has less surface friction than other medical fabric products, allowing for greater comfort and freedom of movement. It also transfers heat away from the body quickly, adding to comfort in the operating environment.