Germany-based Kelheim Fibres GmbH has developed Umberto, a viscose fiber that features a variety of
letter-shaped cross sections and is showing promise for both nonwovens and textile applications.
Umberto’s parameters can be tuned during the spinning process to create various shaped cross
sections. For nonwovens applications such as wet wipes, fibers of a certain length have been shown
to provide dispersibility. In a textile yarn, the different cross sections form air pockets that
can provide thermal insulating properties for apparel applications. Kelheim reports the Hohenstein
Institute, Germany, is currently testing such effects in apparel.
October 17, 2012