Processes
KURAFLEX™ is key brand name for the nonwoven original fabrics and finished products of Kuraray Kuraflex.
About Nonwovens
Nonwovens are fiber sheets produced without weaving. Various types of fibers are used as raw materials for nonwovens, and they are bonded as sheets by mechanical entanglement or chemical/thermal adhesion.
Historically, nonwovens were invented to replace textile or knit fabrics. After successful development with nonwoven formulations, nonwovens can be designed to have dual-characteristics like fabric/paper or fabric/film. Now, they are used not only for the replacement of traditional materials, but also for their own applications.
Spunlace/Chemical bonded
We can produce nonwovens with a range of characteristics, such as having both water absorbing and drying characteristics, which are conflicting properties, and having both flexibility and bulk.
In addition to rayon and polyester, we can use a wide range of fibers such as WRAMP™ special microfiber and SOPHISTA™ composite fiber of EVOH resin and polyester, which are proprietary Kuraray Group materials, to produce nonwovens possessing the features of each fiber.
We don't just manufacture nonwovens, we can combine them with other materials to produce nonwovens having the features of those other materials.
In addition, by combining various pore patterns, print patterns, and coloring, we can also produce decorative nonwovens.
Patterns of pore design
Patterns of print design
Materials
Rayon, Polyester, Ultrafine fiber etc
Products
Original fabric (roll)
Meltblown
We produce meltblown nonwovens from various thermo plastic polymers not to mention polypropylene controlling performances by changing the manufacturing conditions.
Meltblown nonwovens consist of 100 % polymers without using chemical binders.
In addition, it is possible to provide nonwovens to features such as hydrophilic, water-repellent, electric charged and colored, as well as making composite sheets with different types of performances.
We are also able to produce nonwoven from specialized polymers upon customers' requests.
Materials
Polypropylene, Polyurethane, Nylon, Polybutylene terephthalate, Thermoplastic elastomer etc
Products
Steam jet
In this unique process, fibers are quickly reacted in a high speed steam process.
As a result, we can produce innovative nonwovens, for example, thick hard board with light weight or elastic nonwoven as a cushion material.
Steam jet technology/process has been developed by Kuraray with specialized equipment produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering.
Materials
Special fibers of Kuraray