Luminy L040 enables the production of sub-micron fibres for high-efficiency nonwoven filter media.
14th October 2026
Innovation in Textiles
| Gorinchem, The Netherlands
TotalEnergies Corbion, headquartered in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, has commercially launched a new polylactic acid (PLA) grade specifically developed for meltblown nonwoven filter media, following industrial trials demonstrating filtration efficiencies exceeding 95%.
The new Luminy L040 grade can be processed on existing meltblown production lines without major equipment modifications, enabling manufacturers to produce ultra-fine fibres with diameters of one micron or less from a biobased alternative to conventional polypropylene (PP).
A key characteristic of the material is its ability to retain an electrostatic charge, which is essential for capturing fine airborne particles without creating excessive resistance to airflow.
The combination of ultra-low viscosity and electrostatic properties enables high-efficiency filter media to be produced without the degrading agents or electrostatic additives that would otherwise be required.
“During the early-access programme, industrial partners including Hansae in South Korea successfully processed Luminy L040 on commercial meltblown lines, demonstrating stable production, ultra-fine fibre formation and filtration efficiencies exceeding 95%,” says Bert Clymans, EMEA senior business development and nonwovens market segment leader at TotalEnergies Corbion.
The launch also follows independent research by the University of Michigan indicating that PLA-based meltblown media can achieve filtration performance comparable to conventional PP materials.
Made from annually renewable feedstocks, the new PLA grade is said to have a carbon footprint more than 80% lower than PP, offering filter manufacturers a potential route to reducing the embodied emissions of their products.
This is becoming increasingly relevant in HVAC systems, air purifiers and industrial filtration, where manufacturers are seeking to combine high particle capture efficiency with lower environmental impact.
TotalEnergies Corbion also says Luminy L040 is among the first commercially available PLA grades specifically engineered for meltblown air filtration applications.
The material is additionally suitable for other meltblown applications, including water filter media and wipes, although the performance data announced so far relates primarily to air filtration.
Luminy L040 is now commercially available worldwide.