Norafin Industries (Germany) GmbH

Norafin Industries (Germany) GmbH is a German manufacturer of technical nonwovens ("nonwovens") based in Mildenau (Sasko) that has been operating since 1980. The company specializes in the production of non-woven materials using technologies such as hydroplaiting (spunlace) and needlepunching (injection), while processing a wide range of fibers, including high-performance synthetics (e.g. aramid fibers) and natural raw materials such as flax or hemp. As part of sustainability and ecological initiatives, Norafin develops non-woven textiles from renewable raw materials, which include industrial hemp fiber. Hemp offers significant ecological advantages: the plant requires less water and pesticides, has a positive effect on soil fertility and helps reduce the environmental burden. Already in 2020, Norafin processed hemp fibers for its water braiding lines and produced non-woven hemp textiles for example for face masks (hemp/lyocell, 50 g/m²). In the following years, they expanded the portfolio: in Mildenau they were able to produce 100% hemp non-woven materials, and also experimented with extremely light and thin non-woven structures. Currently, hemp nonwovens from Norafin are part of their sustainable product lines, such as Norafin ECOLINE® and Extra Organic®, which include nonwovens made from natural, biodegradable fibers. These nonwovens find use in various applications — from hygiene products, cleaning cloths, through interior and construction textiles to composite materials for industry.