Technical Views: Nalco launches TULIP™

Nalco Company has developed a proprietary creping technology called TULIP™. Built on modified vinyl-based polymers, this new technology has been tested both in the laboratory and in the field and boasts a number of beneficial attributes specific to the creping process.

TULIP technology not only provides high adhesion versus conventional PAE products, but also functions in a wider operating window with regard to creping moistures. Compared to conventional creping chemistries, the new coating tends to be more efficient, allowing for up to a 50% replacement ratio at equal or higher creping moisture levels. Coating uniformity and softness are also improved by utilizing this technology.

The key product characteristics include: non-thermosetting polymer; high-charge density (cationic); aqueous solution; made up of 10-20% solids; viscosity 100-1000cps @ 25°C; pH 6-8; Einecs / Reach and TSCA registered; BfR and FDA approved for indirect food contact; no VOC; no chlororganic byproducts.

TULIP’s patented technology has been designed to provide unique characteristics for the tissue maker in terms of adhesion, softness and durability. Its main characteristics in comparison to regular PAE technologies include improved coating uniformity and coating softness; superior re-wettability without negatively affecting coating durability; significantly higher adhesion; and a wider creping-moisture operating window

Its unique characteristics offer various potential advantages to the tissue manufacturer: improved handfeel softness due to increased adhesion; reduction in the adhesive add-on by up to 50%, while maintaining the same level of adhesion leading to superior cost effectiveness in terms of cost-in-use; creping at a higher moisture without a loss of adhesion and/or sheet quality, resulting in improved machine runnability and potential energy savings.