Press release
Products
November 9, 2015

Evonik licenses new technology for ultrathin diaper designs

  • Innovative absorbent core technology eliminates fluff pulp and makes diapers even thinner
  • Considerable improvement of absorption performance
  • Costs of raw materials, transportation, and processing are significantly reduced when using the technology


Essen. Evonik, one of the world’s leading suppliers of superabsorbent polymers, intends to offer an innovative absorbent core technology for ultrathin diapers. Here, the superabsorbent particles are found in small pockets that are formed by laminated nonwovens which allow the diaper core to absorb fluid even faster and distribute it. Evonik is planning to sell the technology on the market in a licensing procedure. The technology has already been described in various patent filings, for example WO2012146748, inventor: W. Fenske et al.

The new technology gives the diaper core a particularly high level of stability, ensuring that the superabsorbent particles always remain at the place where they are needed. This special design, combined with an enhanced FAVOR® superabsorbent polymer, enables the diaper to be used more efficiently: Rewetting is significantly reduced, while wearing comfort is enhanced considerably.

Evonik sees considerable potential in further advancing this technology that follows the trend to ultrathin underwear-like diapers. The users of the technology also benefit from lower raw material and logistic costs. This novel absorbent core technology matches Evonik’s mission as a leading solution provider for the hygiene industry.

Superabsorbent polymers, the key raw material of modern hygiene articles, are water-insoluble, cross-linked polymers. They are capable of absorbing and storing up to 500 times their own weight in aqueous liquids, while also providing other performance characteristics such as skin dryness. The scope of applications for Evonik’s superabsorbent polymers reaches beyond baby diapers and also includes feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products as well as a broad range of technical areas.

Evonik is a world-leading supplier of superabsorbent polymers with manufacturing plants in the United States, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.

About Nutrition & Care

The Nutrition & Care segment is led by Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH and contributes to fulfilling basic human needs. That includes applications for everyday consumer goods as well as animal nutrition and health care. This segment employed about 7,000 employees, and generated sales of around €4.2 billion in 2014.

About Evonik

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals, operating in the Nutrition & Care, Resource Efficiency and Performance Materials segments. The company benefits from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. In 2014 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around €12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €1.9 billion.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.