3M Recognized For Innovation In Acoustic Nonwovens Market

Frost & Sullivan selected 3M Acoustic Solutions (3M), makers of Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation, as the recipient of the 2006 North American Acoustic Nonwovens Growth Strategy Leadership of the Year Award for its innovative products and business strategies that have fuelled a growth rate higher than market average in the North American acoustic nonwovens markets.

What differentiates 3M is its ability to constantly innovate and further the performance of its products. This fuels expansion into newer markets consistently and systematically.

3M Acoustic Solutions launched its first acoustic insulation material in the mid 1990s for use in the automotive market. Today's version of Thinsulate insulations being used in cars is several generations beyond the introductory materials.

A polypropylene/polyester blended meltblown product, Thinsulate acoustic insulations are composed of very fine fibers, a key factor which is responsible for their excellent sound absorption capability. Besides being extremely lightweight, hydrophobic, and flexible, and hence it is easy to install, these materials have high strength and flexibility.

"3M invested 6 percent of its total sales revenues in 2005 into research and development (R&D) and has state-of-the-art laboratories and world-class scientists working on its materials," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Anand Natarajan. "Thinsulate is often considered as a benchmark in performance for other competitive acoustic insulation products and the company's focused R&D efforts ensure that its next generation products always stay ahead of competition."

SOURCE: Frost & Sullivan