MiniFIBERS produces precision cut synthetic and natural fibers for specialty papers. They offer a range of fibers from 2-51 mm including acrylic, aramid, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, carbon, glass, hemp, flax, and rayon. Their Fybrel synthetic wood pulp is a hydrophilic polyolefin fiber that disperses well for uses like molded fiber products, wallpaper, and filtration. It provides higher strength, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability compared to pulp alone. MiniFIBERS is also developing more sustainable versions of Fybrel made from bio-based polyethylene or non-fossil feedstocks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Precision Cut Synthetic and
Non-Wood Fibers for
Specialty Papers
T. Scott Frasca
Technical Sales Representative

2. MiniFIBERS Introduction
• Founded in 1967 by G.B. Keith
• G.B. designed and patented what later became known as the
Lummus cutter
• Mitsui Chemicals awarded distributorship for their synthetic wood
pulp (Fybrel®) to MiniFIBERS soon after
• Short Stuff® developed in 1977
• Dry powder version of Fybrel®
• New facilities purchased in 1985 and MiniFIBERS moved from
Virginia to Johnson City, Tennessee
• New fiber cutting addition constructed in 1999
• Extrusion operation purchased in 2011
• Completed FSC certification for viscose rayon in 2021
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3. Four Business Platforms
• Precision Cut Fibers
• A broad range of synthetic and natural fibers in
precision cut lengths from 2 mm – 51 mm
• Fybrel® Synthetic Wood Pulp
• SWP (synthetic wood pulp) in wet lap sheets
• Short Stuff® Fibrillated HDPE
• SWP in a dried form
• Specialty Extruded Yarns
• Multifilament LOY made to order
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4. Precision Cut Fibers
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5. Why use precision cut fibers?
• Depending on the fiber composition they
can:
– Serve as a binder fiber
– Increase sheet:
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Bulk
• Pleatability
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6. Where are these fibers used?
• Filtration
– Both liquid and gas
– Automotive and industrial air, oil and fuel
– Water (potable and non), food, medical (blood, testing
media, etc.)
• Automotive
– Friction - Brake and clutch lining
– Gasketing
– Battery separators
– Sound dampening
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7. Where are these fibers used?
• Specialty Paper and Packaging
– Heat sealable papers and packaging
– Flexible packaging
– Electrical papers
– Art papers
– Abrasive backing
– Vinyl floor backing
– Wallpaper backing
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8. So what are these fibers made from?
• Synthetic
– Acrylic
– Aramids (Para and Meta)
– Nylon
– Polyester
– Low Melt Polyethylene
– UHMW Polyethylene
– Polypropylene
– Carbon
– Glass
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9. Fiber Type
Specific
Gravity
(g/cm3)
Melt Point
Moisture
Regain (%)
Tenacity
(gpd)
Chemical Resistance
Acrylic Fiber 1.14 - 1.19
Does not melt.
Degradation begins at ~290oC /
554oF.
1.0 - 2.5 1.9 - 3.4
Resists most acids, oxidants, and solvents. Sensitive to nitric acid,
dimethyl formamide, and hot alkalis.
Carbon Fibers (milled) 1.8
Does not melt.
Oxidizes very slowly in air at
temperatures above
600o
F / 315o
C.
< 0.1 ~23.0
Excellent resistance to acids and alkalis. Strong oxidizers will
degrade fiber. Inert to all known solvents. Poor resistance to
hypochlorite.
Cellulose (for comparison) 1.5 Does not melt. 10.7 - 16.1 –
Resists most organic solvents, acetone, and formic acid. Sensitive to
other acids, strong alkalis, cuprammonium compounds, and certain
oxidants.
E-Glass Fiber (for comparison) 2.58
Does not melt.
Softens at ~840o
C / 1550o
F.
< 1.0 ~15.3
Unaffected by bleaches and solvents. Fair resistance to most acids at
low concentrations.
Meta-Aramid Fiber 1.37 - 1.38
Does not melt.
Degradation begins at ~300oC /
572oF.
Carbonizes at ~425oC / 800oF.
3.5 - 5.1 2.6 - 5.0 Good resistance to acids and bases.
Nylon 6,6 Fiber 1.14
Sticks at ~230oC / 445oF.
Melts at 255-265o
C / 491-509o
F.
3.5 - 5.0 2.3 - 9.3
Resists most organic solvents and bleaching agents. Sensitive to
concentrated acids, phenol, hot dimethyl formamide, and hot,
concentrated bases.
Para-Aramid Fiber 1.44
Does not melt.
Degradation begins at ~482oC /
900oF.
3.5 - 5.0 ~22.6
Good resistance to diluted acids and bases. Degraded by strong
mineral acids.
Polyester Fiber 1.38
Sticks at 227-241oC / 440-465oF.
Melts at 250-288oC / 482-550oF.
< 1.0 6.9 - 9.1
Resists most antioxidants. Sensitive to strong bases, concentrated
nitric and sulfuric acids, nitrobenzene, and phenols.
Polyester Fiber – Undrawn POY 1.38
Sticks at 227-241oC / 440-465oF.
Melts at 250-288o
C / 482-550o
F.
< 1.0 < 1.5
Resists most antioxidants. Sensitive to strong bases, concentrated
nitric and sulfuric acids, nitrobenzene, and phenols.
Polyethylene Fiber - Low Melt 0.96 121-129o
C / 250-265o
F < 1.0 < 1.5
Resists most bases, acids, and solvents. Sensitive to hot, chlorinated
hydrocarbons.
Polyethylene Fiber - UHMW 0.96 ~147oC / 296 oF < 1.0 25.5 - 30.5 Resists most bases, acids, and solvents.
Polypropylene Fiber 0.90
Softens at 141-177oC / 285-350oF.
Melts at 163-168o
C / 325-335o
F.
< 1.0 2.0 - 5.5
Resists common solvents, strong acids and alkalis. Sensitive to
chlorinated solvents at high temperatures and aromatic compounds.
Kynar® PVDF Fiber 1.78 165-172oC/ 329-342oF < 0.1 <1.5
Totally resistant to strong acids, strong oxidants, halogens, aromatic
solvents, aliphatic solvents, hydrocarbons, and ozone.
Resistant to ketones, amines, strong bases, and “fuming” acids with
certain conditions.
Rayon Fiber - Regular Tenacity 1.50 - 1.55
Does not melt.
Chars and decomposes at
175-204oC / 347-400oF.
10.7 - 16.0 1.6 - 2.6 Poor resistance to strong acids and bases.
Rayon Fiber - High Tenacity 1.50 - 1.55
Does not melt.
Chars and decomposes at
175-204oC / 347-400oF.
10.7 - 16.0 4.3 - 5.3 Poor resistance to strong acids. Excellent resistance to strong bases.
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10. So what are these fibers made from?
• Natural based (Cut lengths: 3 to 51 mm)
– Hemp
– Flax
– Kenaf
– Jute
– Fique
– Abaca
– Cellulose Acetate
– Viscose Rayon
– PLA (Polylactic Acid), PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid)
Available in round and trilobal
shapes
Bast fibers
Leaf fibers
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11. Fybrel® Synthetic Wood Pulp
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12. 2
What is Fybrel®?
Fybrel® is a hydrophilic, highly fibrillated polyolefin fiber.
Natural Pulp Fybrel®
Polyolefin Cut Fiber

13. The main branch is 20 microns in diameter,
but the three dimensional structure is complex.
Fybrel® Fiber
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14. Fibrillated Structure
 Compatible to natural pulp
for papermaking
 Differing CSF versions
 Disperses well in water
 High specific surface area
 Captures and holds
particulates in suspension
Polyolefin Based
 Thermo-formable
 Heat sealable
 Canbe translucent
 Water resistant
 Chemical resistant
 Dimensionally stable in
wet conditions
Fybrel® Characteristics
Applications

15. 15

16. Molded Fiber Products
Embossed Paper Watermark
Wallpaper Food Packaging
BatterySeparator
Filtration
Fybrel® for Paper Products
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17. • Produce products of high durability and
strength
• Loaded 15% or less maintain repulpability
• Process similar – one added heat setting
step
• Fybrel® enhanced products have:
– Higher tensile, flexural, tear strengths
– Greatly increased abrasion resistance
Using Fybrel® in Molded Fiber
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18. Mold for register Support for paper pallet Cap for electronic parts
Merit
 High load resistance
Blending ratio
- Fybrel®; 5%
- Waste paper; 95%
(OCC)
Merit
 Higher load
resistance
Blending ratio
- Fybrel®; 15%
- Waste paper; 85%
(OCC)
Merit
 Dimension stability
Blending ratio
- Fybrel®; 15%
- Waste paper; 85%
(OCC)
Support
paper pallet
50kg
～360kg
Toner cartridge
for printer
Cap
Examples of Molded Fiber Using Fybrel®
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19. Tray with 15% Fybrel®
200N 584N
Improved 292%
Before After
Compressive Strength
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20. Bending strength, 25mm strip of
cardboard. Span interval: 32mm,
1mm/min
6.1 Mpa 13.3 MPa
Improved 218%
Tensile strength, 15mm strip of
cardboard, Chuck interval:100mm,
10mm/min
3.7 Mpa 9.1 MPa
Improved 245%
With Fybrel®
（15％）
Without
Fybrel®
With Fybrel®
（15％）
Without
Fybrel®
Strength Testing
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21. Tear strength, Chuck interval:
56mm, 200mm/min
224 N/cm 603 N/cm
Improved 269%
Abrasion, 1000g, 60 rpm, 100 times
117 mg 2.8 mg
Improved 42X
With Fybrel® (15％） Without Fybrel®
With Fybrel® (15％) Without Fybrel®
Tear and Abrasion Testing
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22. • Fybrel® Highly Fibrillated HDPE
contributes to:
– Higher compression strength (nearly 3X)
– Higher tensile strength (nearly 3X)
– Higher flexural strength (>2x)
– Higher tear strength (nearly 3x)
– Higher abrasion resistance (>40X)
• At 15% loading – molded articles are
repulpable and stronger
Molded Fiber Summary
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23. Fybrel® - Air Permeability
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24. Fybrel® - Dimensional and
Embossing Impact
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25. Grade
Freeness
CSF (cc)
Fiber Length
Avg.(mm)
Surface Area
(m2/gm)
Moisture
Cont. wt%
Fiber
Thickness
Melt Index
(g/10 min)
Melting
Point
Density
(g/cm3)
Characteristics Applications
E400 580 0.46~0.68 8 63 Standard 7 Good uniformity and texture Papers, Construction materials
E620 340 0.51~0.79 8 64 Standard 3 Cementious
E699 685 0.59~.083 7 59 Standard 7 Papers, Construction materials
E790 680 0.74~1.08 8 50 Standard 7
Good filtration
Long fibers
Tea bags, Coffee pods
EST-8 540 0.43~0.67 10 59 Fine 7 Very fine fibers Battery Separators
ESS5 570 ~0.1 12 50 Standard 420
ESS2 550 ~0.6 12 47 Standard 60
E380 720 0.41~0.57 8 39 Coarse 22
E990 725 0.79~1.21 8 50 V. Coarse 7
NL491 720 0.46~0.74 3.4 55 Coarse 2.5
212°F
(100°C)
0.93
Hot tack
Low melting point
AU690 680 0.59~0.91 - 52 Coarse <1
248°F
(123°C)
0.94
Highly adhesive
Low melting point
Good thixotropy
Crack resistance
Coatings, Adhesives
Tea bags, Coffee pods
Good fiber binding
275°F
(135°C)
0.96
Fybrel® Product Range
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26. Source: Life cycle assessment of biomass-derived polyethylene
by Hirao, et al.
• Benefits
• Bio-PE enables 70-74%
reduction of greenhouse
gas emission even if
sourced from Brazil
• Status
• Fybrel pilot trials done
• Fybrel E grade equivalent
• Single raw material source
• Currently considering to
introduce non-fossil feedstock
to the existing Fybrel plant to
produce non-fossil Fybrel
Sustainable Fybrel® from
Non-Fossil Sources
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27. Parameters
Current Fybrel®
E grades
Sustainable
Fybrel®-A
Sustainable
Fybrel®-B
Fossil feedstock ✔
Bio-PE (bio-
ethanol based)
✔
Non-fossil
feedstock
✔
Biodegradability (n/a)
Status - Sample available
Sample available
in Q4 2021
Summary of Sustainable
Fybrel® Options
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28. Thank You
T. Scott Frasca
tsfrasca@minifibers.com
www.minifibers.com