The Danish High Technology Fund has decided to provide DKK 20m in support over a four-year period to a major project aimed at developing ”nanononwovens”. The project will be carried out jointly by the only Danish nonwovens manufacturer, Fibertex A/S based in Aalborg, and the iNANO centre (Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre) based at the University of Aarhus and Aalborg University. The iNANO centre is the most prominent nanotechnology centre in Northern Europe. Fibertex A/S and iNano also contribute DKK 20m.

Fibertex A/S produces so-called nonwovens, which are used for a wide range of purposes such as raw materials for nappies, the furniture and bedding industry, the automotive industry as well as geotextiles for use in road and harbour construction. Through this new innovative high-technology project the partners plan to utilise nanotechnology and nanoparticles to give the nonwovens new and unique properties that open entirely new avenues of application. Examples of new innovative applications include the use of nanoparticles to improve the mechanical and functional properties of the fibres to produce environmentally friendly and fire-retardant materials. Over the past years, Fibertex has benefited from large investments and the development of new products to grow significantly. In 2005, the company presents a revenue of approx. DKK 1.2bn. Apart from investing in Denmark, Fibertex has set up large production plants in the Czech Republic and Malaysia within the past four years.

During the past year, Fibertex and iNANO have made joint efforts to examine the possibilities of employing nanotechnology in Fibertex's manufacturing processes, and the parties now want to intensify their efforts. The partnership with iNANO will make it possible to involve the broad expertise available at iNANO as regards synthesising and analysing nanomaterials and nanoparticles. These efforts will benefit not only Fibertex but also iNANO, as the project will give iNANO further know-how about the technological potential of nonwovens fibres – know-how that can also be employed in other areas.

Both parties are very pleased that the Danish High Technology Fund has found our innovative project worthy of support. The results will contribute to entirely new development trends in the nonwovens technology with a potential to strengthen Fibertex’s position as the Danish flagship in the sector, while the universities and other companies will benefit from the general know-how obtained from the projects.

Fibertex A/S and iNANO Contacts:

Fibertex A/S

Michael Meulengracht

Tel.: +45 96 35 35 35