Kelheim Fibres has partnered with Sumo diaper to develop a high-performance absorbent pad that uses no fossil materials. The pad is part of a reusable diaper system developed and marketed by Sumo. The entire system developed by Sumo founders Luisa Kahlfeldt and Caspar Böhme is made of sustainable mateirals while offering high performance and innovative design.

The pad is made with the needlepunch/thermal bonded process using a blend of specialty viscose and bicomponent fibers, chosen to ensure the product’s washability. By combining nonwovens, usually found mainly in the single-use sector, with reusable products, Sumo and Kelheim Fibres have chosen a completely new approach to developing reusable diapers.

Inside the pad, the speciality fibers from Kelheim offer special properties: In the distribution layer (ADL), the trilobal cross-section of the Galaxy fiber forms capillary channels that enable efficient and optimized liquid distribution and thus optimum use of the capacity of the absorbent core, offering the lowest rewet values. In the absorbent core, the segmented hollow fiber Bramante fibers store liquid not only between but also inside the fibre. The liquid remains there even when pressure is applied to the construction, providing excellent rewet values. Bramante can absorb up to 260% of its own weight in liquid.

The innovative nonwoven construction with the speciality fibers from Kelheim performs significantly better in tests in terms of air permeability, liquid absorption and rewetting than commercially available solutions made of synthetic fibres or cotton in knitted structures and has earned Sumo diapers a place among the finalists for the IDEA Long-Life Product Achievement Award.

Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, Director New Business Development at Kelheim Fibres, says, "Working with Sumo is inspiring and professional in equal measure. We share a passion for driving the transformation to a bio-based society with innovative solutions.

The launch is scheduled for the first of May.