Conference Speakers

Thomas Weigert

Senior Expert Technology Spunlace & Drying, Truetzschler Nonwoven GmbH

BIOGRAPHY

Thomas Weigert is a seasoned expert in nonwoven production technology, currently serving as Senior Expert Technology Spunlace & Drying at Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH. Based in Egelsbach near Frankfurt, Germany, Trützschler Nonwovens—formerly Fleissner GmbH—is a global leader in the supply of machinery and complete production lines for the nonwovens industry.

Mr. Weigert has been with the company since 1997, holding various roles over nearly three decades that have deepened his expertise in machinery design, process development, and application technology. His work has focused particularly on Spunlace, Through-Air Drying, and Wetlaid Spunlace (WLS) processes. In his current position, he bears technological responsibility for the Fleissner AquaJet system and related drying technologies.

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Darmstadt Technical University, earned in 1989. Prior to entering the nonwovens sector, Mr. Weigert began his career in the automotive industry, specializing in the design and development of brake systems.

With a unique combination of engineering depth and process insight, Thomas Weigert continues to contribute significantly to innovation and technological excellence in the nonwovens field.

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The Next Level of Wipes

The technology of wet-laying and spunlacing (WLS) has been a success in the market since its introduction in 2013. Now this proven concept might also be an answer to new challenges.

In recent years people all over the world more and more worry about plastic islands in oceans,“fatbergs” in sewer system and microplastics in food and water. Governments, e.g. the European Union on December 19th 2018, react by banning usage of plastic in single use products (SUP), labeling obligation or putting them under observation.

Therefore conventional spunlaced wipes containing polyester or polypropylene will increasingly get under pressure. In this talk Voith and Trützschler Nonwovens discuss two different technology concepts for greener wipes made from renewable resources:

- WLS technology for making fully biodegradable wipes from cellulose-based fibers. These next level types of wipes provide best preconditions to meet all future market requirements

- Cotton fibers as an alternative raw material for carded-spunlaced wipes. Both virgin cotton and comber noils can be processed into high-value end products with the original sought-after “cotton touch”.