The Research Institute for Man-Made Fibers celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It carries out research of additives, pigments, modifiers, chemical fibres and develops machinery and technology facilities. It connects research and development with industrial practices and has been a valuable partner for us since its establishment.
From Viscose Rayon to Circular Economy
The institute was established in 1951, as the former Czechoslovakia still lacked its own base for research, development and production of chemical fibers. It started its activity in temporary laboratories with 26 employees who were seconded from Chemosvit.
Four years later, 136 workers were already carrying out experimental work in preparation for viscose rayon in new premises. Rayon had to be imported from abroad for the needs of the rubber industry. The result was the successful introduction of rayon production in Czechoslovakia.
During the next period, the institute was dedicated to research and implementation of production in the field of cellulose and polyamide fibres as well as polyesters. It also paid great attention to the technology of preparation and development of machinery for polypropylene fibres production. It substantially contributed to the development of the chemical fibre industry through its activities.
Since the 1990s, the institute has also been testing and assessing the conformity of textile fibres, yarns, threads and textile products. At present, its activities also include solutions for fulfilling the goals of the circular economy and process automation in Industry 4.0. In connection with the testing and certification, it is, for example, testing materials in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Partner in the development and production of fibres
Cooperation with Chemosvit has been ongoing since the establishment of the institute, namely in the field of synthetic fibres. In 1963, the result was the introduction of industrial production of staple fibres. Almost ten years later, the production of polyamide filament tow was established in Chemosvit.
The main result of the collaboration can be considered the successful joint development and implementation of compact lines for mass-dyed polypropylene silk production. After the revolution, the production of this type of fibre was modernized in today’s subsidiary Chemosvit Fibrochem.
The Research Institute for Man-Made Fibers still cooperates with each subsidiary of the Chemosvit Group and Finchem.