One and a half grams of high-tech
Frankenthal, 09. Juli 2020 – Five times thinner than a human hair, ten times lighter than copy paper – and yet a piece of high-tech, a technological innovation that improves the lives of consumers around the world. The outer skin of a diaper – known as the backsheet – prevents unwanted leakage and at the same time makes the skin feel good. The environment also benefits from this: thanks to consistent further development, the CO2 footprint of the film is now 40 percent lower than 25 years ago.
Diapers are complex products – regardless of whether they are used in baby or adult hygiene. Introduced in Germany in 1973, the disposable diaper has been continuously developed ever since. Changes in the absorbent core, especially the introduction of superabsorbers, are easily recognizable by the consumer. However, at least as important as absorbency is skin compatibility, which is ensured by a breathable outer skin. Diaper rash is thus largely a thing of the past.
Responsibility for future generations
Modern, breathable backsheets allow up to 25 kg of water vapour per square metre to pass through every day - that is five times more than when they were introduced. In addition, the weight of the film - and thus the amount of material used - has been reduced by two thirds, while at the same time the mechanical strength has been significantly increased. Thermolaminates, for example, make an important contribution to this - these are nonwoven-film composites that are produced without adhesives and are therefore much lighter than other laminates.
The consistent reduction of the weight per unit area not only lowers the use of materials, but also reduces storage and transport-related CO2 emissions. Further efficiency potential is raised by recycling process waste and a global, decentralized production structure. As the world's leading manufacturer of excellent film solutions, the RKW Group is committed to the principle of sustainability and responsibility for future generations. This also includes measures to minimize the loss of plastic granules during production, storage, transport and processing.
Increased use of renewable raw materials
Even more effective than the most efficient use of natural resources is to increase the proportion of renewable raw materials in film production. In addition to the development of ever thinner, ever more elastic and thus more efficient films, the RKW Group is continuously working on giving plastic films an ecological perspective - and thus assuming responsibility for future generations.
