Acme Mills has launched Natura, a new line of biobased polylactic acid (PLA) fabrics intended to replace traditional petroleum-based nonwovens such as PET, PP, and Nylon. This new product line aims to address environmental concerns while maintaining performance standards.
The Natura collection features various types of PLA fabrics, including spunbond nonwovens, needled felts, hydroentangled, and melt-blown textiles. These materials are designed for multiple industries, including food and beverage, packaging, automotive, furniture, healthcare, and filtration.
According to Matt Utley, Chief of Strategy at Acme Mills, Natura reflects the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability. The fabrics are made from renewable resources like corn starch and sugarcane and are biodegradable in industrial composting conditions. The development of Natura fabrics is based on sustainability insights from organizations such as NatureWorks, with claims that they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% compared to traditional plastics.
Acme Mills has established a global manufacturing and supply chain network that spans Europe and North America to facilitate the production of Natura fabrics and meet demand for eco-friendly materials.
Natura fabrics are also compliant with FDA standards for food safety, allowing them to be used in applications such as beverage filters, food packaging, and disposable cutlery. Acme Mills is exploring opportunities to create advanced composite materials by combining Natura PLA fabrics with other bio-based fibers to enhance strength and durability for high-performance applications.
The introduction of Natura aligns with Acme Mills’ strategy of incorporating sustainability into its operations while providing textile solutions to a variety of industries.
