Viscose processing: running the right finish
¡ª¡ªRalf Nyhofen, manager of fibre chemicals from Levaco

Mr. Nyhofen began his speech with a quick introduction of LEVACO. As a part of D&S Group, LEVACO manufactures a wide range of auxiliaries for the man-made fibre industry with the product range of fibre products covers viscose, polypropylene, polyamide and polyester. 

Then he introduced the general functions and components of fibre finishes. The properties of finishes bring mutiple functions like lubricants, antistats, cohesion modifiers, wetting agents, additives. He emphasized that friction to be the most important aspect of finish design, because the fibre during the yarn forming process has multiple contacts with metal surfaces and fibre filaments in the yarn formation process are also in contact with each other. 

In the end, Nyhofen explained the key parameters in fibre processing like Ring, OE, MVS, and　pointed out the golden rule for finish system: low dynamic friction for high speeds in carding and spinning, combined with high cohesion against fly and for high web/yarn strength. However, all spinning processes require compromises.