100 % biobased and biodegradable airlaid nonwoven

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to replace fossil-based plastic binder by 1) optimizing OrganoClick´s binder, 2) scaling up the production of the Finnish actors´s airlaid nonwoven with the new biobinder to full production scale and 3) producing disposable consumer products such as Finess Hygienes washcloths from the material. Since we have successfully manufactured nonwoven material with bio-based binders at full-scale production level, which have then been converted into finished packages of washcloths, we have fulfilled the project´s objective.

Expected results and effects

The results of the project are that OrganoClick has developed a binder that binds together airlaid nonwoven with good effect and that Finess Hygiene has been able to produce washcloths from this material. Organoclick has also had the binder certified as home compostable (TÜV OK Compost HOME). The expected effects are that much less hidden plastic in the form of binders in nonwoven materials will enter the market and that a more circular use of "waste" generated in nonwoven and conversion factories can be adopted (the waste can now be recycled instead of incinerated).

Planned approach and implementation

The project has been such that binders have been developed by OrganoClick which later have been tested at the Finnish manufacturer whose material has then has been tested by Finess Hygiene who has given a statement on the performance. Due to Covid-19, the project took longer than planned and therefore had to be extended. During the project, there have also been reorganizations and the budget has been updated. However, we believe that it is a successful project because we run it to the end with dedicated partners and that the produced products have fulfilled the project´s objective.