VisiI's inherently FR nature a marketing edge, co. says
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 12, 2004
Valkeakoski, Finland — It takes about 20 hours to produce Visil fire-retardant fibers at the Sateri factory here.
The company created the fiber and produces it only at this factory. There are eight key steps in the high-tech art of making the fiber.
Sateri begins with a standard rayon-production process. Rayon is a natural cellulosic fiber made of wood pulp, which is abundant in this papermaking center in Finland. Introducing sodium silicate and other materials, the company modifies the rayon and produces Visil, an inherently heat- and flame-resistant fiber.
Visil has these characteristics, according to company officials:
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It is permanently fire retardant. It does not melt or drip.
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It maintains its solid structure after burning, keeping a barrier in place to help stop the spread of flames.
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It produces low smoke emissions and no toxic gas emissions.
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It has good insulation properties.
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It is a white, soft, breathable fiber. But it can be easily dyed if producers want a color other than white.
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It is biodegradable.
Sateri officials believe the bedding market will appreciate the inherently FR nature of their product.
"The cheapest solutions are chemical solutions," said Kari Parviainen, deputy managing director. "But those solutions are not as good as inherently FR fibers. Our real competition is the other inherently flame-retardant fibers. We have a very competitive position in that market."
Visil provides bedding producers with long-term, lasting safety, Sateri officials contend.
"Invisible safety is our slogan, and it is a good one," Parviainen said. "The safety is inside the product."
