Growing non-woven hygiene industry
The positive impact hygiene products have on health, along with their easy availability, convenience, and relative low cost, contributes to their growth.
Challenges, however, face the industry with demand for better leak prevention and skin care, alongside expectations for thinner and more discrete products – not to mention growing demands for improved sustainability.
Adhesives make up a small percentage of any finished hygiene product; they play, however, a ‘make or break’ role in ensuring the industry meets consumer needs.
What are non-wovens and why are they used in hygiene products?
Made from long fibres bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment, non-wovens are a fabric like material that offers users a soft, smooth, strong, and absorbent product that protects against leaks.
Highly flexible, they are used in multiple elements of a product; in the case of baby diapers this includes the top and back sheet, storage layer, leg cuff and fastening tapes.
Non-wovens demand an adhesive that remains soft and textile-like to avoid compromising the finished product.
What role do adhesives play in the construction of non-woven hygiene products?
Adhesives play a critical role in bonding absorbent and backing materials used in the construction of many common disposable absorbent products.
Formulated to provide both the necessary bond strength between layers as well as the required elasticity – as measured by peel strength tests and elastic creep tests - using the right adhesive is critical to ensure the correct levels of fit, retention, breathability, absorption, and comfort.
Adhesives must be durable to ensure the finished product does not let users, or parents, in the case of baby diapers, down – preventing leaks or irritation to skin; and because products are often consumed daily and can therefore be sensitive to price; companies need an adhesive that will not jeopardise their product or brand integrity.
Playing a key role in improving the design of products, adhesives can be used to add or improve features such as refastenable tabs and tapes – making it easier for parents to fit and change diapers, for example – thus helping to reduce waste and save time.
Non-woven hygiene production is often high volume and low cost, with adhesives required to provide the necessary bond strength across a range of materials; helping manufacturers to improve production flexibility and reduce cost.
Future adhesive requirements for non-woven hygiene products
The industry is constantly evolving with brands focusing on improving leak reduction, enhancing convenience, and boosting sustainability; companies, therefore, continue to innovate with new fibres, and of course, ancillary items such as adhesives.
Choosing the right adhesive means working with companies that enable brands to develop innovative solutions that improve product performance and manufacturing efficiency.
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To discuss your non-woven hygiene bonding requirements with one of our industry specialists, visit our website or send an email to: marketing@beardowadams.com