Product Development

Driven by knowledge, never assumption.

Surpassing customers' expectations is a standard we constantly strive to achieve at BFF. Already Oekotek certified and accredited to ISO 9001 we’re presently working towards ISO 14000 and Investors in People. We’re also proud to be the only UK company offering the advanced baseline technologies of chemical bonding and thermal bonding. Additionally, we offer a full range of finishing processes from coating and dyeing to slitting and punching.

With such a wide range of technologies and processes, coupled with a vast amount of knowledge and experience, we are able to fully understand your specific requirements and provide you with advanced, cost effective, bespoke solutions.

But product development is only half the story. At BFF a dedicated team of professionals head up our Business Development unit, utilising a unique, purpose built Pilot Hall. It’s in here we explore new technologies and business opportunities whilst working in tandem with existing clients to develop even better solutions to their needs.

Baseline technologies

Chemical Bonding

• Chemical bonding uses synthetic resins to bond the fabric together. The addition of heat allows cross-linking of the resins, curing the fabric to achieve a permanent bond.
• The chemistry can be changed to make the fabric resistant to dry cleaning solvents and high temperature washing – features important to our Interlining customers. Additives are also available to make fabrics flame retardant, water repellent and add colour or texture.
• We have a process which ‘locks’ active molecular substances such as activated carbon or zeolites into the fabric for advanced filtration, for example in odour control.
• We manufacture fabrics up to 2.2m wide and between 22g and 160g in weight.

Thermal Bonding

• Thermal bonding uses the thermo-plastic properties of certain synthetic fibres to form bonds under heat and pressure. Binderless, heat bonded fabrics can be made using blends of viscose and other natural fibres providing thermo-plastic fibres are also present.
• BFF is unrivalled in the field of high temperature bonding and we have the technical ability to vary the bonded area on the fabric from between 8% and 100%.
• Our heat bonded fabrics are ideal for the automotive and clothing industries as well as for medical applications.
• We manufacture fabrics between 18g and 85g base weight and up to 2.1m wide.

Coating, Dyeing and Finishing

• We can add unique features to the end result by using a variety of downstream processing lines.
• Colour can be added via our in house Dye Plant or in-line printing.
• Mill rolls can be slit to almost any width. Adhesive coating systems, using scatter coat and paste dot coating lines, can add specific finishes to the fabric to meet your exact requirements.

Testing

Before a product is launched, our standard procedure is to test, test and test again. In fact we have our own dedicated in-house innovation centre so that every product can be put through its paces before going into mainstream production.