Nonwovens are innovative, high-tech, engineered fabrics made from fibres. They are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products either in combination with other materials or alone. Nonwovens are designed for their specific application, ranging from thin, light weight nonwovens to strong and durable nonwovens, be it consumer or industrial applications. The combination of their specific characteristics through the raw materials selection, the web formation and web bonding methods used or the applied finishing treatments, such as printing, embossing, laminating etc. allow to deliver high-performance products. “Non-woven is a sheet of fibres, continuous filaments or chopped yarns of any origin, that have been formed into a web by any means, and bonded together by any means (chemically, mechanically and thermally) with the exception of weaving or knitting.” (By EDANA). The applications of nonwovens are very wide from daily use to the high technical purposes for example the daily life use in Pandemic condition (covid-19) as a face mask (N-95 Mask, surgical mask), hygienic products (sanitary pads, incontinence adult pads and baby diapers) and at industrial level like chemical filters, protective clothes, acoustic textiles, battery separators in automobiles. The non-woven are mainly made up of man-made fibre-based polymers which mainly used in agrotextiles, geotextiles and other technical purposes because the longer life and strength of synthetic polymers. Todays need for the eco-friendly or sustainable development should be takes place in every field of research, production, consumption and disposal of products. The sustainability includes the three major aspects social, environmental, and economical it means the product or the process should be acceptable in society in terms of ethical issues, fair wages, appropriate work environmental conditions, second is the product manufacturing process have minimum negative impact on the environment and the last one is the production output will be maximum with minimum inputs and determinantal impacts on other two factors. In recent years the researches are mainly focused on the unconventional natural sources of fibres like- banana, sisal, ramie, jute, hemp, coconut, pineapple, nettle, dhaincha, bhimal, baggagas etc. these are eco-friendly as compare to the synthetic fibre based non-woven which don’t degrade in nature after use. The main reason of the use of them in agrotextiles that these are the part of nature after end life which not harmful for the environment, soil and underground water. Natural fibre based non-wovens used for the technical purposes these are economical and eco-friendly sources which reduces the load on environment by reducing carbon foot prints and less use of harmful chemicals in processing and manufacturing also. The main processes are being used the manufacturing the natural fibre based non-woven production are the needle punching, wet laid methods which does not use harmfuls

1. Applications and
innovations in non-
woven
Name – Renu
Id no. 56767
Course –HCT- 600 Master Seminar
Course instructor- Dr. Manisha Gahlot
Semester- 1st (2021-22)

2. Content
• Introduction
• Types of non-woven based on bonding process
• Applications in agriculture/horticulture, medical sector and hygienic products
• New techniques of web formation and web bonding
• Innovations in non-woven
• Emerging trends
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
• Low-price substitutes for
conventional textiles.
• Energy and time saving
methods are used for
production.
• Production rate high
• Less requirement of labour
• Versatile uses of non-woven
from daily life use to technical
textiles.

4. DEFINITION
● “ Non-woven is a sheet of fibres, continuous filaments or chopped yarns of any origin,
that have been formed into a web by any means, and bonded together by any means(
chemically, mechanically and thermally) with the exception of weaving or knitting. ” By
EDANA
● Nonwoven fabrics are broadly defined as sheet or web structures bonded together by
entangling fiber or filaments (and by perforating films) mechanically, thermally, or
chemically. They are flat, porous sheets that are made directly from separate fibers or
from molten plastic or plastic film. They are not made by weaving or knitting and do not
require converting the fibers to yarn. By INDA

5. History
Garnette, a 19th century textile engineer from England
developed a special carding device.
After this invention, the chemical( glue batts) and
mechanical binding ( needle punching)of fibres began
Term non-woven coined -1942 (U.S.)
First nonwoven disposable diaper - 1947 by George
Schroder.
The use of nonwoven as handy wipes extended -
1950s by Chicopee Mills (U.S.)
Nonwoven Composite textile - 1960s

6. Characteristics of non-woven
● Porous and flexible structure
● Poor abrasion resistance
● Softer and lighter than knitted and woven fabric
● Good burst and tear strength
● Moisture absorbency depends on the fibre being used
● Good air permeability
● Planer structure
● No grainline

7. Manufacturing process of non woven
There are three basic steps-
I. Web formation
II. Web bonding
III. Finishing

8. Types of non woven on basis of web
bonding process-
• Needle punching- needle punched
• Hydroentanglement-wet laid Spunlace
• Stitch bonding- Stitch bonded
Mechnical bonding
• Wax
• Resin
• Latex
Chemical bonding
• Calendering - Spunbond
• Thermal air- Melt-blown
Thermal bonding

9. Fibre used- polypropylene, polyethylene
Applications- air filtration, as a insulators,
chemical filters , liquid absorption ( good wicking
property)and in N95 mask filter layer.
Fibre used - Mainly cellulosic staple fibres and
synthetic may be used(polyester, polyamide and
polyolefins)
Applications- High-temperature insulation (>1000
C)
battery separators ,wall coverings etc.
Wet-laid
Meltblown

10. Fibre used- viscose, polyester
Applications- Mainly for facial wipes and medical wipes
Fibre used- polypropylene, pet, polyamide-6,
polyamide-6,6, HDPE.
Applications- surgical masks, industrial filters,
automobiles, agriculture sector and packaging
Spunlace
Spunbond

11. Needle-punhed
Stitch-bonded
Fibre used- Polypropylene, cotton and any other natural
fibres may be used (jute, hemp, banana fibres)etc.
Application- Geotextile in civil engineering, Automotive
textiles, Agro-textiles .
Fibre used- Pet, Jute, Cotton, Aramid fibers like Kevlar &
Nomex, Viscose.
Applications- To produce vacuum bags, geotextiles, filters,
and interlining, home furnishing industry.

12. Applications of non-woven in different sectors

13. Non-woven in
Medical Sector
• “Smart” wound care products- provide healing
environment( low skin adhesion and low
vapour transmission).
• 3D biological tissue engineering (use of
nanofiber nonwovens).
• Surgical masks, gowns and drapes.

14. Advantages of using non woven in medical
sector
● Wear comfort
● Breathability
● Protection against air-borne particles
● Aseptic folding
● Fully compliant with EU standard EN 13795 (non-toxic)
● Lint free
● Light weight

15. Non-woven in Agriculture Sector
● Crop covers
● Plant protection
● Seed blankets
● Weed control fabrics
● Greenhouse shading
● Root control bags
● Biodegradable plant pots
● Capillary matting
● Landscape fabric
Plant protective cover
Material used-
Polypropylene spunbond
Fruit Covers- Protects
fruits from mildew and
pest during growing
stage
Material-Polypropylene
spunbond non-woven

16. Seed blankets- Helps in smooth
germination and protects new seedlings
from adverse environmental conditions.
Material - Polypropylene non-woven
Biodegradable plant pots- There is no
need for removal of plant pots during
transplanting
Material - Polylactic acid (PLA) non-
wovens

17. Root control bags- To control the growth of
roots of plants
Material - Polypropylene nonwovens
Weed control fabric- To control the weed in
crop by blocking the photosynthesis
Material- Polypropylene nonwovens

18. Greenhouse shading- Protects plants
from adverse environmental conditions
Material used - Polypropylene and
polyethylene spunlaid nonwovens
Capillary matting- Replace the soil for
growing plants
Material used- Polyester and polypropylene
needle punched nonwovens

19. Advantages of using non woven in agriculture
and horticulture
● Fabrics with high strength, durability and elasticity
● Biodegradable
● Frost and insect protection
● Weed control
● Heat control
● Good light transmission
● Moisture absorption
● Reduction of diseases

20. Non woven as hygenic absorbent products
● Baby diapers
● Adult incontinence products
● feminine care products
Baby diaper

21. ● Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) as
an absorbent material
● Polyethylene (PE) for back cover
● The polypropylene top sheet kept it
dry( non-woven 100%
polypropylene and environment
friendly)

22. Advantages of using non-woven in hygienic
absorbent products
● Softness
● Smoothness
● Stretchability
● Comfort and fit
● Strength and stability
● Double fluid barrier/leg cuffs help prevent leakages
● Good strikethrough, wet back and runoff
● Opacity and stain hiding power
● Breathability

23. Developments in non woven production
techniques
● Web formation advancements
● Web bonding advancements

24. New techniques of web formation
Web formation with the static method
● By using roller cards
● Changing voltage electrodes or also changing the
shape of electrode panels to create different
charges.
Wet laid method
● Adopted from paper industry
● By dispersion and suspension in water at 0.05%
concentration.
● Size of fibres - 0.3 mm – 25 mm & 6.0 dtex max.
Cross lapped method
● Layers produced by oscillating moment and
constant moment of roller and carriage
● To add flexibility and strength in structure.

25. New techniques of web bonding
Aqua jet bonding
●Used for production of spunlace non-woven (e.g. evolon)
●Similar to needle punching only difference needle replaced by water jet.
●Piercing by high pressure ~600 bar water
Needle loom of different cards
●Superior web properties obtained.
●Better fibre orientation and entanglement
●Composite and hybrid products easily produced

26. Innovation in non-woven

27. Bio-degradable non-
woven
• Lyocell non-woven
• Have better properties for spun laced
non-woven (fibrillation)
• Manufacturing process eco friendly
• Have better wetting and dry strength
• Thermally stable
• Ideal fibre for many categories of wiping.(
LOW LINT)- e.g. Flushable wipes
• More hygienic than cotton and
biodegradable.

28. Evolon
• Nonwoven based on supermicron
bicomponent filament fiber.
• Spunlace
• Diameter-0.05dtex-2.5dtex microfiber.
• 200 times finer than human hair.
• Use of evolon fabric- anti-mite bedding,
technical packaging and industrial high-tech
wipes, typical applications include
automotive acoustics, products for the
printing industry, cosmetics etc.

30. Needle punched jute
nonwoven
• Jute non-woven mulching used for
controlling soil temperature and soil
moisture
• Invented by ICAR-NINFET, having 400
to 500 GSM.
• Biodegradable mulching and natural UV
resistant.
• No need of inter culture operation during
crop period and no requirement of
herbicides.
• Increase yield(20-30%) of main crop.

31. Nettle fiber based non-woven
• Giradinia
• Mulching material ( agro-textile)
• Fabric weight-534 gsm
• Air permeability- 83.35 m³/m²/m
• Biodegradable
• Developed at AICRP in Dept. of Clothing and
Textile
Tomato plants after installation of
mulch
Non woven fabric

32. Bhimal fibre based non-woven
● Grewia optiva
● Thickness- 4.1-4.6mm
● Fabric bulk- 13.62cm3/gm.
● Developed in PhD research work Richa Deshwal by
in year 2008

33. Giradinia ,agave and bagasse based non-woven
● Giradinia mulch material –
216gsm
● Giradinia/bagasse non-woven-
208
● Agave – 162gsm
● Agave /bagasse- 170gsm
● Developed in PhD research work
by Yogita Pandey in year 2012
Girardinia/bagasse
nonwoven fabric
Agave/bagasse
nonwoven fabric

34. Dhaincha fiber based technical non-woven
● Sesbinia bispinosa
● Fabric weight-1604 g/m²
● Thickness-8.92mm
● Porosity-0.839
● Developed in PhD research work by Monika
Negi in year 2017

35. Phalsa based non-woven
● Grewia asiatica
● Fabric weight- 303.5gsm
● Thickness-2.79mm
● Developed in PhD research work by
Monika Upreti in year 2017

36. Coconut, banana and ramie based non-wovens
100% Banana nonwoven
Ramie nonwoven

37. Pineapple fibre based nonwoven/pinatex
Piñatex is made of fibre from the
leaves of the pineapple plant.
Invented by Ananas-Anam
Sustainable substitute for leather

40. Emerging
trends in
nonwovens
● Expanding ground for durable
nonwovens
● Disposable nonwovens demands also
increasing
● Basis weight for non- woven will keep
dropping
● Polypropylene(PP) largest used
material for non-woven

41. Global scenario of non-woven
• Asia is the major consumer of nonwovens.
• The china, india and japan are major
consumer(three fourth).
• China is largest producer(3.9M tonnes and
38% volume) of nonwoven.
• The massive use of spunlaid nonwovens is
in the medical textiles fields, especially as
spunlaid polypropylene nonwovens
fabrics.

42. Effects of
covid-19 on
non woven
industry
● The non-woven fabric market was valued at
USD 43,883 million in 2020.
● The market is expected to register a CAGR(
compound annual growth rate) of more than
7% during the forecast period (2019-2027).
● The COVID-19 outbreak- increase in the
demand for nonwoven face masks to prevent
the spreading of the virus.
● Spun-bond and spun laid segment dominated
the market
● Asia-Pacific is expected to be the largest
consumer- mainly china and India.

44. Conclusion
Increase in
net worth
of
individuals
Reasons
Increase
in global
population
Increase in
aged
population
Increase in
infrastructure
Increase in
furniture
application
Increase
surgical
applications

45. References
 Russel, S. J.2007. Handbook of nonwovens, Woodhead Publishing Ltd., UK,
 Gupta, V. V. and Kothari, V. K.1997.Manufactured Fibre Technology, Chapman & Hall, London.
 Definition of non woven
Retrieved from: https://www.inda.org/ on 28 September, 2021.
 Application of non-woven in different sector
Retrieved from: https://www.edana.org/ on 30 September, 2021.
 Developments in non-woven manufacturing techniques
Retrieved from: https://indiantextilejournal.com/articles/FAdetails.asp?id=5390 on 5 August, 2021.
 Needle punched jute non-woven- ICAR-NINFET study material of training 2021.
 Nettle nonwoven mulching material- Report, AICRP-CT 2019, GBPUA&T Pantnagar.
 Pineapple based nonwoven/pinatex
Retrieved from: https://www.ananas-anam.com/ on 5 november,2021.