Exclusive Interview by K. Gopalakrishnan, Pics by Manikandan
At ITMA Asia in Singapore, DiloGroup reaffirmed its leadership in needlepunch technology and complete nonwoven production lines. Speaking during the event, Ms. Riccarda Dilo, General Management at DiloGroup, shared insights into the company’s strong participation at the exhibition, its expanding technological portfolio and its strategic focus on high potential Asian markets including India. With a legacy of more than a century in nonwoven engineering and several decades at the forefront of needling innovation, DiloGroup is paving the way for a new generation of sustainable, high performance and energy efficient nonwoven solutions.
Complete Needling Lines with a Legacy of Excellence
DiloGroup remains a global specialist in complete needlepunch lines, supported by its integrated companies Temafa, Spinnbau, DiloMachines andDiloSystems. The group has continuously modernized its machinery to deliver cost efficient and low energy production while maintaining maximum flexibility.
Its portfolio covers fibre preparation, highly regular card feeding, high speed carding, advanced crosslapping and a sophisticated range of needle looms. These systems enable producers to achieve highly uniform webs, even when targeting an MD to CD ratio of one to one, a critical requirement for consistent quality.
Dilo’s innovations cater to a wide spectrum of product weights ranging from lightweight nonwovens of around 30 g per square metre to very heavy webs of nearly 5,000 g per square metre used in acoustic insulation and thermal panels. This versatility allows the company to serve diverse sectors including automotive, geotextiles, filtration, artificial leather, medical and hygiene.
Expanding Opportunities in Asia and India
Asia continues to be a major growth region for nonwovens, and DiloGroup sees strong potential across markets such as India, and Southeast Asia. India in particular is witnessing significant momentum in geotextiles, automotive interiors and technical textiles.
To strengthen local service, Dilo established its own office in India seven years ago which includes a dedicated spare parts warehouse and service infrastructure. The aim is to be closer to manufacturers, support new investments and respond rapidly to customer needs.
A Competitive Edge through High Value Innovation
In sectors like hygiene where lower cost machines from China have gained market share, Ms. Dilo believes that innovation remains the key differentiator. Customers who want to lead in quality and efficiency look for new technologies that open higher value opportunities.
Dilo’s lightweight needling solutions offer a competitive alternative to spunlace, especially for disposable wipes, cosmetic pads and hygiene fabrics. The mechanical consolidation process requires no water, no chemicals and significantly less energy. Fibre consumption is also reduced which is vital given rising raw material prices and sustainability requirements.
This combination of performance, cost reduction and environmental benefits provides a compelling value proposition for manufacturers targeting fast growing hygiene markets.
Breakthrough Technologies Driving the Future of Needlepunch
DiloGroup continues to invest in technologies that expand the boundaries of needling capabilities. Several advancements are shaping the next generation of nonwoven production.
MicroPunch Technology
Designed for extremely lightweight products of up to approx. 30 g per square metre, MicroPunch allows manufacturers to produce high quality nonwovens either through mechanical needling or in combination with light thermobonding. It opens new possibilities in hygiene, cosmetics and medical applications where low basis weights and efficiency are essential.
3D-Lofter and DILOUR Structuring
A pioneering approach in the industry, the 3D-Lofter allows additional opened fibres to be deposited onto a needled substrate before bonding. This enables new patterns, textures and three dimensional effects. When combined with the DILOUR structuring process, manufacturers can create coloured visual effects such as sliding tones, unique gradients and decorative designs suitable for interiors, architecture, automotive panels and modern furniture.
The technology also supports weight reduction in moulded automotive components, enabling lighter, more sustainable vehicles.
IsoFeed VRS Card Feeder
The new IsoFeed VRS enables improved evenness at lower web weights, supporting stable production of lightweight materials at high throughput.
PowerPunch and SuperPunch Needle Loom Systems
PowerPunch reduces vibration significantly while maintaining consistent punch quality.
SuperPunch, a combination of two HyperPunch drive systems, increases the achievable advance per stroke, facilitating higher throughput at low draft levels.
MODILOUS Needle Board System
Dilo’s latest service oriented innovation simplifies needle changes and maintenance, reducing downtime and operational costs for customers.
Together, these technologies mark Dilo’s commitment to modernizing the entire needling process while ensuring that it remains one of the most energy efficient and water free textile production methods available.
A Market Moving Toward Sustainability
With rising concerns about energy consumption, water scarcity and waste reduction, manufacturers are increasingly turning to technologies that reduce environmental impact. Needlepunch production aligns strongly with this global shift since it requires minimal energy and no water usage. Dilo’s innovations further enhance this sustainability profile by enabling lower fibre consumption, lighter materials and improved production efficiency.
DiloGroup’s presence at ITMA Asia highlighted not only its technological leadership but also its long term commitment to the global nonwoven industry. Through its advanced needling lines, sustainability focused innovations and expanding footprint in Asia, the company is shaping the future of nonwoven production. As markets evolve and demand for high quality, lightweight and eco efficient products grows, DiloGroup stands ready to support customers with solutions that combine engineering excellence, cutting edge research and a deep understanding of industry needs.
