Founded in 1984 by André Vuillaume, the ANDRITZ Perfojet success story began with the development of innovative water jet machine for special patterning sytems. And this has lead to the successful hydroentanglement technology for the bonding of nonwoven fibers. This process revolutionized the production of commercially available wipes for household, cosmetics and personal care. But that was just the beginning...
When André Vuillaume founded Perfojet in 1984, he could not have imagined that his innovative method of bonding fiber webs using water jets would be so successful. This method has led to an incredible breakthrough in the distribution of all kinds of disposable wipes. Today, the Jetlace™ brand is synonymous with hydroentanglement for many wipes manufacturers. ANDRITZ Perfojet has brought more than 300 of these Jetlace systems onto the market to date and has continuously optimized and improved the technology. ANDRITZ Perfojet remains the leader and keep improving its technology to save energy and preserve natural resources.
The first Jetlace hydroentanglement machine was sold to a Swedish customer in 1987. A great challenge, as Didier Vuillet, long-time Managing Director of ANDRITZ Perfojet and current Senior Vice President Technology & Business of the ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile Division, remembers: “an outstanding project to install a hydroentanglement system using high-pressure range for the production of wipes products. But Perfojet would not have been Perfojet if it had not succeeded without determination and close collaboration with its customers.”
Founder Andre Vuillaume (right) with his long-time companion and successor as Managing Director, Didier Vuillet (retirement October 1, 2024,) in 1987, celebrating the first (of many) Jetlace™ hydroentanglement unit sold in Europe.
After this first important milestone, others were to follow that have made ANDRITZ Perfojet what it is today: in 1988, the first jetlace unit in the United States was sold, followed by acquisitions by ICBT (1992) and Rieter (2000). The largest spunlace line at the time was also sold with a capacity of 900 kW/m3 of water circulation. In 2010, the number of Spunlace lines sold reached the century mark. Between 2003 to 2008, the company also cooperated with ANDRITZ Küsters in Krefeld/Germany in the area of spunbond, but decided to stop this activity when acquired by ANDRITZ. In 2012, the first own dryer was sold in the Russian Federation. Since then, drum dryers have been of importance when delivering full system supply for spunlace production lines under the same roof.
You can see the other important milestones in the table below.
Then to now: 40 years of ANDRITZ Perfojet and important milestones
BRUNO ROCHE
Managing Director, ANDRITZ Perfojet
From today's perspective, ANDRITZ Perfojet can look forward to an exciting future. The green transformation is a major challenge but also holds great opportunities. The major sustainability trend from fewer plastic fibers in hygiene and wipes products to more bio-based, natural, and recycled fibers or blended fabrics with pulp has long been part of the research program at ANDRITZ Perfojet. New products based on these fibers can already be trialed at the Technology and Test Center in Montbonnot. The demand for such wipes products is increasing more and more and ANDRITZ Perfojet will be part of this future.
But ANDRITZ Perfojet is much more than that: In addition to the wipes market, ANDRITZ Perfojet is also very well positioned within the ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile organization. With the new pilot plant for processing dry molded fibers into disposable products such as coffee cup lids and cutlery, Perfojet is also involved in the processing area of colleagues from ANDRITZ Diatec and the outstanding airlaid technology from ANDRITZ Dan-Web. (Read more about ANDRITZ's involvement in Dry Molded Fibers here)
Apropos Airlaid: The airlaid system, which can be integrated into ANDRITZ Perfojet spunlace lines, is the basis of high-quality wipes with ANDRITZ' own Airlace™ technology.
Bruno Roche, Managing Director of ANDRITZ Perfojet adds: “The new organization within ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile, even more market- and customer-oriented, integrates ANDRITZ Perfojet perfectly into the overall organization and will create new synergies for our customers in the future with completely new developments, especially with regard to sustainability and green transition. Under the ANDRITZ-wide commitment #ForTheChange, we are committed to driving the green transformation forward. Our ANDRITZ technologies will play a significant role when it comes to using resources carefully and creating more sustainability!”
And at ANDRITZ Perfojet, sustainability starts within your own four walls. New solar panels with a total output of 36 kW and improved insulation of the offices, and air destratifier in the pilot line are just three of numerous measures to set a good example. Further action will follow in the coming years.
And, last but not least, a healthy mind is above all a healthy body: Perfojet offers its employees fitness programs that can be completed at lunchtime, for example. This strengthens team spirit and fitness and makes the team ready for the future also in terms of physical condition and a good shape. Let's Go ANDRITZ Perfojet!
Engaging in physical activity during lunch hours: ANDRITZ Perfojet team members
