The Bavarian Viscose speciality fibre manufacturer Kelheim Fibres has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label. The products DANUFIL®, GALAXY® and VILOFT® are now able to display a unique USDA label that highlights their biobased origin.
Third-party verification is administered through the USDA BioPreferred® Program, an initiative created by the 2002 Farm Bill (expanded by the 2014 Farm Bill). One of the goals of the BioPreferred Program is to increase the development, purchase and use of biobased products. Utilizing renewable, biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum based chemicals.
These products have played an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate global climate change. Biobased products are cost-comparative, readily available, and perform as well as or better than their conventional counterparts.
“Our fibres are completely made of pure wood pulp. They combine perfectly the advantages of a product from renewable raw materials with the possibilities of industrial production such as a consistent quality and tailor-made design for meeting the customer’s exact needs.” says Horst Wörner, Business Manager at Kelheim Fibres. “A clear and correct labelling of biobased products helps to create awareness for the benefits of these articles. The USDA Certified Biobased Product” Label is the perfect complement to our previously earned labels as for example the “compostable” sign or the “OK biodegradable MARINE” certificate.
Kelheim Fibres GmbH is the world’s leading producer of viscose speciality fibres and the most important supplier of viscose fibres for the tampon industry. Approximately 90,000 tons of viscose fibres are produced and tested every year at Kelheim in South Germany. These are used in most diverse applications – from fashion, hygiene and medical products to nonwovens and speciality papers.
