Ontex Launches Multi-Liquid Liner in Europe

Ontex Group NV, a leading international developer and producer of personal care solutions, has commercially launched its multi-liquid liner, which is on shelf at a leading German retailer. Further rollouts are planned across Europe in the coming weeks.

The multi-liquid liner addresses the evolving needs of women in all life stages, offering reliable protection for menstrual flow, light bladder leaks and daily vaginal discharges—all in one discreet, comfortable solution. In recent tests, more than 90% of participating women said they would recommend Ontex’s multi-liquid liner and buy it again.

Research confirms that liners are widely used by women for menstruation and daily discharges. An important unmet need is protection against light bladder weakness. The liner is specifically designed to address these needs, often related to perimenopause or menopause. Approved as a medical device, the liner features up to eight hours leak protection and odor control, and is available in three sizes: regular, large, and extra large.

At #Ontex, we understand that women’s needs evolve throughout their lives. Our multi-liquid liner is designed to provide comfort, confidence, and protection for all intimate fluids, supporting women at every stage, from menstruation to peri- and menopause. We are proud to work closely with our retail partners to offer smart, affordable solutions that adapt to these changing needs. With the multi-liquid liner, our goal is to help women live their everyday lives with comfort and reassurance, whatever stage they’re in. ‘One liner for all your needs’ reflects our commitment to making high-quality, versatile protection accessible to all,” says Chiara Alleva, Femcare Category Lead.

source : Non Wovens Industry

Lubrizol Showcases Medical-Grade TPU and Device Innovation at MD&M West 2026

 Lubrizol is pleased to participate in MD&M West 2026, a premier global event for the medical device industry, taking place February 3–5, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. At Booth 2301 in Exhibit Halls A–E, #Lubrizol will highlight its renowned portfolio of #medicalgrade #thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU) solutions alongside its differentiated design, development, and manufacturing services for medical devices.

MD&M West offers attendees the opportunity to discover breakthrough technologies, source innovative solutions, and connect with experts who can solve their most pressing challenges. Lubrizol’s presence at the show underscores its commitment to advancing healthcare through material science and device innovation.

Lubrizol’s medical-grade TPU solutions are suitable for a wide range of applications, including #interventionalvascular, electrophysiology, ophthalmic, dental, drug delivery, and more. In addition to #TPU, Lubrizol’s expertise spans minimally invasive catheters, delivery systems, and a broad array of silicone-based components, subassemblies, and finished devices.

“MD&M West is a dynamic forum for collaboration and innovation,” said Lu Zhang, Vice President of Engineered Polymers and Medical Solutions. “It allows us to connect directly with medical device OEMs, share our latest advancements, and explore new ways to solve complex challenges together.

source : Lubrizol

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : What happens two polymers are combined

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

🧪 When two polymers are combined, the result can be stronger than the sum of their parts.

Blending two or more polymers allows the creation of materials with improved properties — stronger, lighter, or easier to process. It is a practical and cost-effective alternative to synthesizing new polymers.

Among its advantages:

🔹 Reduces development costs.

🔹 Allows tuning of properties for specific applications.

🔹 Improves material processability.

🔹 Enhances mechanical and thermal performance.

Although polymer compatibility can be a challenge, controlling #morphology and using #compatibilizers have driven significant advances in this field.

💡 Blending polymers is not just about combining materials but about combining ideas to create more efficient and sustainable solutions.

source : David Izquierdo Duarte

Milacron to Exhibit Cutting‑Edge, All-Electric Injection Molding Solutions at MD&M West 2026, Booth 4601

 Milacron®, a global leader in plastics processing technology, will showcase its newest advancements in all-electric injection molding solutions and integrated automation at MD&M West 2026, held February 3-5th, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

#Milacron‑FANUC Roboshot ALPHA‑S110iB demonstrates precision, reliability, and flexibility

Milacron will demonstrate the #RoboshotALPHA‑S110iB, an all‑electric injection molding machine optimized for liquid silicone rubber (LSR) applications in automotive, electrical, and medical markets.

Key capabilities include:

Compact design for efficient floor‑space usage

Proven LSR package with +25-years of experience.

Flexible injection range (11–171g) and 8mm micro plunger system capable of 0.0005 cc volume accuracy.

CNC‑based controls for high‑precision molding down to 0.0003” accuracy and repeatability.

Machine Learning AI for mold protection and eject

Predictive maintenance and AI technology to monitor various areas of the machine.

OPC‑UA connectivity for auxiliary integration and MES communication

LINKi2 IoT solutions for smart manufacturing insights

The work cell will produce a medical membrane part, leveraging a 28mm LSR injection package for ultra‑precise dosing—ideal for cleanroom environments. Communications to the Elemet dosing unit, water control and using smart water manifold system provides a system solution.

Collaborating Partners:

Sepro Group: Success 22, 5‑axis robotic system with part cavitation separation.

Elmet Smart Silicone Solutions: TOP 700 LSR dosing unit, SMARTSHOT molds, mini cold runner, EOAT.

Keyence: VS Series smart camera with AI for mold qualification and part validation.

Elkem: SILBIONE™ 4360 LSR for short‑term healthcare applications.

FANUC-Milacron Roboshot showcases four decades of collaboration in plastics processing:

A culmination of a partnership spanning more than four decades with FANUC Corporation, the Roboshot is Milacron’s most versatile and precise all-electric machine. The platform features the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) with mold and eject protection and injection molding preventative maintenance features that keep plastics processors running smoothly.

With its 100% electric design, there is no oil, filtration, and disposal to worry about. Roboshot is designed to reduce energy consumption by 50 to 80% while maintaining repeatable and precise cycles that are 5 to 50% faster than hydraulic machines.

Engineered for greater rigidity, Roboshot’s proven performance makes it the perfect solution for cleanrooms and other environments that demand precise process control, high-speed injection, and consistent repeatability.

source :Milacron

The Engel Clearmelt process continues to evolve

The manufacture of plastic components using polyurethane (PUR) flooding – known as the Engel Clearmelt process – continues to evolve, and the applications are becoming increasingly complex. The Austrian injection moulding machine manufacturer Engel recently showcased a new milestone: a rear light cover manufactured without a costly hard coating, using a combination of Foilmelt and Clearmelt technologies.

Innovative products and processes such as these require expert support and comprehensive project management. To meet this need, the company established the new Clearmelt Competence Centre (CCC), where a dedicated team of specialists will provide full-service support for all polyurethane processing projects.

Engel’s Clearmelt process is an innovative injection moulding technology that enables the optimised production of scratch-resistant, high-quality plastic surfaces – particularly for visible parts with demanding aesthetic requirements. The process supports high-volume production of decorative components with significantly reduced cycle times, making it highly productive and cost-efficient. From a technological standpoint, the company uses a multi-component technology to mould a thermoplastic substrate, which is then overflooded with PUR.

Engel has more than two decades of experience with polyurethane flooding, and has continuously refined and developed the process over time. At the international plastics trade fair K in October, the company presented a new application concept for this technology, marking another milestone in the production of automotive components.

The demonstration combined the manufacturing of a decorative and functional rear light cover in a single injection moulding cycle. The automotive rear light module (Figure 1), measuring 600 x 240 mm, was produced in Düsseldorf on a Duo 700 two-platen injection moulding machine. To achieve greater design and variant flexibility, the module was manufactured using an intelligent combination of the Clearmelt process and Engel’s Foilmelt injection moulding technology. After moulding, a functional film with integrated OLEDs was bonded to the part’s interior to add electronic features. Thanks to the scratch-resistant surface finish created by the Clearmelt process, no costly hard coating is required as an additional downstream process step.

Cover photo: The space-saving Viper linear robot ensures precise handling and seamless synchronisation, supporting shorter cycle times and maximum layout efficiency (source: Engel)

source : https://magazine.jeccomposites.com

Toray Opens Ultrasuede Showroom in Portugal

Toray Industries, Inc.‘s Portugal-based airbag converting operation, Alva Confecções S.A., will open a showroom dedicated to its #Ultraseude #nonwoven material for automotive interior applications. Ultraseude will launch its first-ever sewing operations this month by leveraging the Alva’s existing facilities.

By opening a showroom and stock sales point in Portugal, Toray aims to focus primarily on the local automotive interior and furniture industry, while also broadly extending proposals to various other applications including fashion, accessories, consumer electronics and automotives.

The launch of Ultrasuede sewing operations will reinforce the supply chain in Europe, enabling faster stock operations for the European market and the establishment of an integrated supply chain that covers everything from cutting to sewing.

The showroom’s spatial design has been created by the designer duo of Portugal-born Rui Pereira and Japan-born Ryosuke Fukusada The project transforms a part of Toray’s factory into a calm environment showcasing the brand’s material library. Under the Ultrasuede vision of “to enrich society through empowered creativity and materials evolution,” we will continue to take on the challenge of realizing Toray Group’s corporate philosophy,”Contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies, and products.”

Set within a windowless industrial space, the space is inspired by French mid-century structural style, with stained birch to create an architectural envelope that contrasts with the industrial setting. Reflecting the Portuguese context of the showroom, high-gloss blue terracotta tiles by Viúva Lamego add vivid accents to the space against the micro-cement flooring, birch cladding, and exposed steel.

source : Nonwovens Industry

Lummus Invests in InnoVent Renewables to Advance Global Tire Recycling Technology

Lummus Technology, a global provider of process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, announced a strategic investment in InnoVent Renewables to accelerate deployment of its proprietary #tirerecycling technology.

“Investing in InnoVent reinforces our commitment to advancing sustainable, circular technologies that solve real environmental challenges,” said Leon de Bruyn, President and CEO of #LummusTechnology. “Our collaboration has already demonstrated strong technical and commercial synergy, and this investment will accelerate global adoption of a proven recycling solution.”

It is estimated that over one billion tires end up in landfills every year. To address this, InnoVent’s technology offers a scalable, end-to-end solution for converting end of life tires into high-value products such as tire pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black, pyrolysis gas and steel, from pre-processing through purification.

“InnoVent is thrilled to expand our strategic partnership with Lummus,” said Vibhu Sharma, CEO of InnoVent Renewables. “Lummus’ global reach and technology leadership will help us scale rapidly and bring our solution to markets that urgently need sustainable, high value alternatives to traditional tire disposal.”

In 2025, Lummus and InnoVent first established their partnership with Lummus serving as the exclusive global licensor of InnoVent’s tire #pyrolysis technology. Lummus also leverages its extensive licensing network, advanced process technologies and engineering expertise to globally scale the technology.

InnoVent currently operates a commercial facility in Monterrey, Mexico capable of processing up to one million passenger tires annually. Lummus’ investment will help increase production capacity at the facility and enhance the technology’s commercial viability.

source : Lummus Technology