Textile machinery, NCFs provide sustainable processing options

After a brief hiatus, noncrimp fabric (NCF) production specialist Karl Mayer North America (Greensboro, N.C., U.S.) is returning to CAMX. The Karl Mayer Group (Obertshausen, Germany) subsidiary is presenting itself as an innovative composites partner with the display of high-performance machines such as the Cop Max 4, a flexible all-rounder made to produce multilayer, multiaxial fabric structures; the Cop Max 5, specifically for processing carbon fibers; and the UD 700 fiber spreading system. Furthermore, the company is highlighting a new machine that was launched this past spring, called Max Glass Eco, for highly productive manufacturing of standard applications made exclusively from glass fiber.

Overall, the focus of the company’s medial presentation — the various medias on display at the booth — focus on the processing of natural fibers into sustainable composite reinforcements, from videos to final products made from natural fibers, as well as a sample collection. For instance, in cooperation with winter sports industry representatives, Karl Mayer has processed hemp tapes and flax fibers into NCFs for snowboards and skis using the Cop Max 4, which were launched at JEC World 2024 and Techtextil visitors. 

“The global composites industry is under enormous pressure to reduce its ecological footprint,” says Lutz Heinig, sales manager technical textiles, Karl Mayer North America. “Our NCFs made from natural fibers can make an important contribution to this.”