Non-Woven Fabrics

Agriculture and horticulture

Nonwovens are used effectively for optimizing the productivity of crops, gardens, and greenhouses. Their protective nature means that the need for pesticides is reduced and manual labor is kept to a minimum. The use of nonwoven crop covers on the land increases yields and improves the quality of the crops. Very light, flexible sheets are laid over seed beds, which create a microclimate in which the heat and humidity are controlled. The growth of the plants is accelerated and they are protected from adverse weather conditions and vermin. In capillary mat applications, nonwovens promote the healthy growth of flowers and vegetables in greenhouses by using soil-less growing methods.

Some examples of where nonwovens are used

• Crop covers
• Plant protection
• Seed blankets
• Weed control fabrics
• Greenhouse shading
• Root control bags
• Biodegradable plant pots
• Capillary matting
• Landscape fabric

The advantages of using nonwovens

• Fabrics with high strength, durability, and elasticity
• Frost and insect protection
• Exceptional permeability
• Weed control
• Apertures between the intersecting fibers of nonwoven sheets which are big enough to allow air and water to reach the crop but small enough to keep out
• The protection allows plants and crops to grow without the use of pesticides and herbicides
• An earlier development and harvest of the crop, improved yield, and a growing year which can be extended at both ends

Clothing, footwear, baggage

Nonwovens are a model material for the fashion industry. Used for many decades in hidden, support functions, such as interlinings and components of shoes and bags, today young designers are using nonwovens as a creative and versatile new material. The elegance, style, and function of clothes depend largely on the presence and performance of interlinings. Nonwovens are ideally suited for interlinings as they offer substantial advantages over traditional fabrics and indeed count for some two-thirds of the interlining market.

The success of nonwovens is due to their versatility and the ability to engineer many different properties into them, such as shape-retention, adaptation to the characteristics of the out fabric, and lightness in weight. Today, the global retail sector is fascinated with the prospect of incorporating nonwoven fabrics in fashion, sports, and outdoor performance apparel as a means of providing something “different” to current woven and knitted apparel.

Some examples of where nonwovens are used

• Interlinings (fronts of overcoats, collars, facings, waistbands, lapels, etc)
• Disposable underwear
• Shoe components (Shoelace eyelet reinforcement, Athletic shoe & sandal reinforcement, inner sole lining
• Bag components
• Bonding agent
• Composition and (wash) care labels

The advantages of using nonwovens

• Dimensional stability (even in high-temperature g. clothes dryer cycle)
• Easy to slit, die-cut, sew, seam, glue, laminate, and trim, without fraying
• Light weight
• Ease-of-use
• Improved adhesion
• Softness
• Easily to add scent, anti-static, and softener treatments
• Non-raveling edges
• Colour stability
• High tear, breaking, puncture, and abrasion resistance
• Stretch ability
• Strength Chemically inner

Household

Nonwovens are used in a multitude of household applications ranging from cleaning and filtering to adding an aesthetic touch to the home. Used in bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms, high-performance nonwovens can create comfortable, practical, hygienic, and beautiful solutions for modern living.

Nonwovens in the home furnishing industry are evolving from use in traditional applications such as upholstery, floor coverings, underlay, and blankets to innovative, smart solutions to improve and protect interiors. Recent developments in the home furnishings industry include the creation of nonwovens that kill dust mites in bedding, repel dirt, and contain antimicrobial qualities. Smart nonwovens technology for home interiors combines practicality with safety. Blast-resistant curtains, burglar-proof blinds, and carpet alarm systems may in fact be the future of home living.

The high engineer ability of nonwoven fabrics supports advanced functionality, enabling the development of secure applications. Conventional fabrics on the other hand are restricted in their functionality reach. In the case of blast-resistant curtains, the fiber structure in the nonwoven can expand under tension, which allows the material to absorb the pressure shockwave caused by the blast, while simultaneously catching glass and any other debris released by the attack. On the wall covering the front, nonwovens are easier to handle than traditional wallpaper as the fabric has no seam separation and is simple to remove.

In addition, crack-bridging properties make nonwovens perfectly suited for the renovation of problematic ceilings and walls, where exceptional stability is required. As energy prices soar, nonwovens can help deliver a more cost-effective heating solution. Electrically conductive nonwoven fabric, integrated with an underpad, has the potential to heat floor surfaces e.g., wooden floors, ceramic tile floors, walls, and ceilings. In such applications, the fabric could ultimately replace traditional interior heating systems by inducing heating by radiation.

Some examples of where nonwovens are used

• Abrasives
• Bed linen (pocket cloth for pocket springs, separation layer, spring cover, top cover, quilt backing, duvet coverings, and pillow cases)
• Blinds/curtains
• Carpet/carpet backings (scatter rugs, carpet tiles, bath mats, etc) Covering & separating material
• Detergent pouches/Fabric softener sheets Flooring
• Furniture/Upholstery (inside lining, reverse fabric for cushions, dust cover, spring covering, and pull strips)
• Mops
• Table linen
• Tea and coffee bags Vacuum cleaning bags Wall-covering
• Wipes (household care, floor care, cleaning, pet care, etc)

The advantages of using nonwovens

• Ease-of-use
• Easy to add scent, anti-static, and softener treatments
• Fire-retardancy
• Dimensional stability (even in high-temperature g. clothes dryer cycle)
• Easy to slit, die-cut, sew, glue, laminate, trim, saw, clamp and weld without fraying Non-ravelling edges
• Colour stability
• High tear, breaking, and abrasion resistance Elimination of risk of delamination Stretchability
• Durability
• Strength and uniformity
• Anti-allergy and anti- microbial properties Fluid resistance and retention

Industrial

Nonwovens can offer a broad range of functions thanks to the different manufacturing processes, fibers, and treatments. Because of this versatility nonwovens are used widely in many industrial markets, for example:

Medical and Healthcare

Nonwovens are extensively used in the medical field and in protection against biological agents in other sectors. For example, they can be designed to deliver critical safety properties, such as protection against infections and diseases. With today’s multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria and viruses, nonwovens can help in the fight against cross-contamination and the spread of infection in a medical or surgical environment. Because they are used only once and incinerated after use, the need for handling is avoided and the spread of contaminants is minimized.

Nonwovens are also increasingly a major component in the design of “smart” wound care products, providing such functions as the creation of a moist wound healing environment, with controlled vapor transmission, absorbency, and low skin adhesion. Most recent nonwoven innovations include the design of new scaffolds for 3D biological tissue engineering, implantable fabrics that can reinforce natural tissues, and nanofibre nonwoven filtration media offering enhanced particle capture properties. New nonwoven materials with improved finishes including liquid repellent, virus-proof and bacterial barrier properties have also been developed for applications such as surgical masks, gowns, and drapes, especially in view of the high demands of the new European Standards, EN 13795.

Some examples of where nonwovens are used

• Surgical: disposable caps, gowns, masks, scrub suits, and shoe covers
• Drapes, wraps, and packs
• Sponges, dressings, and wipes
• Bed linen
• Contamination control gowns
• Examination gowns
• Lab coats
• Isolation gowns
• Transdermal drug delivery
• Shrouds
• Underpads
• Procedure packs
• Heat packs
• Ostomy bag liners
• Fixation tapes
• Incubator mattress
• Sterilization wraps (CSR wrap)
• Wound care
• Cold/heat packs
• Drug delivery (patches )

The advantages of using nonwovens

1. Protection against
   1. dry or wet contact
   2. air-borne particles
2. Fully compliant with EU standard EN 13795
3. Single-use = 100% certainty
4. Custom-made for the operating theatre
5. Procedure-specific design
6. Optimum wearer comfort
7. Strong yet light in weight
8. Optimal fluid absorbency
9. Exchange of air, body heat, and moisture
10. Excellent barrier properties
11. Excellent uniformity
12. Breathability
13. Abrasion resistance and lint-free
14. Repellency
15. Self-adherent edges
16. Aseptic folding
17. Engineered stability for ETO, plasma, radiation, or steam sterilization

Personal Care Products

Nonwovens are the ideal material for personal care products. They combine strength and softness, hygiene, and handiness.

Some examples of where nonwovens are used

• Absorbent Hygiene Products Wipes, skin care
• Depilatory strips

The advantages of using nonwovens

• Excellent absorption Softness Smoothness
• Stretch ability Comfort and fit Strength
• Can add lotions for specific uses
• The double fluid barrier effect allows moisture to be absorbed and retained
• Good uniformity
• Good strike-through wet back, and run off Cost-effectiveness
• Stability and tear resistance Opacity/stain hiding power High breathability