To help with identity and plagiarism protection, these short cut fibers are fluorescent plastic fibers whose color changes under UV light. The fibers are made of polyamide or viscose. They are cut to a length of 3 to 5 millimeters, then dyed, posttreated and dried for shipping. The cutting machines can cut fibers from 0.5 mm.
Construction of a new production hall enabled smartpolymer to relocate the short-cut fiber plant and put it into operation with completely new downstream equipment in 2020. These include, for example, a new dyeing plant with two tanks and a centrifuge, a new drying plant with its own heat recovery system, and an expanded laboratory for quality control and development of new colors.
The annual production capacity of the short cut fiber plant is now in the high double-digit ton range. On customer request, fibers with special color settings are also produced. Thanks to close cooperation with the business-related research institute TITK specific functionalizations can also be carried out or sustainability aspects taken into account.
Holger Müller from smartpolymer GmbH aligns the fiber strand while reloading the cutting machines. (Photos: smartpolymer / Steffen Beikirch)