For almost 100 years, the company Gottstein GmbH & Co. KG in Tyrol, Austria has been producing nonwovens made of wool. The range of possible applications for nonwovens is extensive. At Gottstein, the use of nonwovens has established itself primarily as a preliminary product for their felt slippers. The company has also developed a brand new collection of accessories made from nonwovens. This collection includes home textiles like coasters and bench cushions, as well as business items like pencil cases and iPad covers.

Gottstein reuses its wool waste in its nonwovens. The nonwoven material itself is fully recyclable and biodegradable. Gottstein has carried out tests on biodegradability with very good results: in less than two months, the nonwoven material completely decomposed in the soil. “In our view, nonwovens are setting new standards in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation,” says Managing Director Philipp Gottstein.

The ongoing development and refinement of nonwoven technologies is also driving the market. Advances in nano- and manufacturing technology enable the production of nonwovens with improved properties such as increased strength, higher moisture resistance, and improved filtration properties. This opens doors to new applications and markets. Gottstein expects the nonwovens market to continue to grow, driven by the continuous pressure to innovate and the increasing demand for sustainable products and regional production. The company is therefore investing more in research and development in order to open up new applications and strengthen its market position.