Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260 Autoneum Develops Latex-Free Needlepunch Carpets - Nonwovens Industry

What are you searching for?

Sign in
New Products, Nonwovens News

Autoneum Develops Latex-Free Needlepunch Carpets

Replacing latex with thermoplastic material improves the recyclability of automotive carpets at the end of product life

Author Image

By: Tara Olivo

Associate Editor at Nonwovens Industry, Rodman Media

Autoneum needlepunch carpets are now even more sustainable thanks to the innovative alternative backcoating (ABC) process, which uses a thermoplastic adhesive instead of latex in the backcoating. Unlike latex, thermoplastic adhesives can be heated and melted down together with the carpet components made of pure PET at the end of the product life cycle, which facilitates recycling considerably. Furthermore, since the fibers of the thermoplastic mono-material are easier to open, carpet cut-outs can be reclaimed more easily, thereby reducing the consumption of natural resources as well as waste volumes and thus CO2 emissions. The environmental performance of Autoneum’s needlepunch carpets, which already contain a high proportion of recycled PET, is thus further improved.

Moreover, backcoatings without latex improve the sustainability of carpets not only thanks to better recyclability at the end of the product life cycle. Since the application of the thermoplastic adhesive using the innovative ABC process consumes significantly less energy than the production of latex-based backcoatings and does not require any water at all, the environmental impact can already be minimized in the manufacturing process. Additionally, thermoplastic adhesives developed in-house by Autoneum will open up new possibilities in the future for adapting backcoatings to the individual needs of vehicle manufacturers in terms of their acoustic performance, stiffness and abrasion resistance.

Models from various customers in Europe and North America are already equipped with latex-free needlepunch carpets from Autoneum. In the near future, backcoatings with thermoplastic adhesives will also be used for Autoneum’s tufted carpets. Production of the new, even more sustainable generation of tufted carpets is scheduled to start in early 2022.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Get the latest Nonwovens Industry news, insights and analysis in your Google Search and AI experiences.

Add Nonwovens Industry as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Nonwovens Industry Newsletters

Topics