Trends in Nonwovens, The Main Raw Material for Adult Incontinence Products

The adult incontinence products market as a whole developed later than the sanitary napkin and baby nappy markets and is currently in a period of growth, with rapid growth in market sales and market penetration. This article describes the trends in nonwovens, the main raw material for adult incontinence products.

Nonwovens & Soft Comfort

For soft and comfortable, mildly incontinent products, especially pull-ups, the requirements are higher. By comparing the performance differences between hot air, spunbond and LONSUN nonwovens, it can be seen that although hot air fabrics have the best fluff, they are not suitable for use in elastic waistbands due to their poor bending softness. LONSUN fabrics, which use side-by-side bicomponent fibre self-curl technology, are the best in terms of softness and comfort when used in the waistbands of pull-up trousers after they are laminated with spandex yarn or elastic film.

Nonwovens and elastic fit

For elastic fit, in the current light incontinence products, especially the elastic structure of pull-up trousers, it is mainly composed of nonwoven fabric and elastic rubber band composite material, and the proportion of elastic film composite structure has a rising trend. By comparing the performance difference between elastic rubber band composite structure, elastic membrane composite structure, elastic nonwoven fabric and composite structure, it can be found that elastic nonwoven fabric and composite structure has the best comprehensive performance in terms of thickness, breathability and wearing comfort.

Nonwovens and dryness

Moderate to severe adult incontinence products have the greatest need for absorbency and dryness. The core structure of these products is still dominated by traditional fluff pulp and SAP, with the infusion layer playing an important role in accelerating the rate of liquid penetration, reducing back infiltration and improving dryness. Currently, the materials for the infusion layer are mainly hot air, chemically bonded nonwovens and perforated films. By comparing the performance differences between these three materials, it can be found that perforated membranes have the best dryness in practical use because of advantages such as low liquid holding capacity and less thickness attenuation under pressure.

In summary, the trend of raw materials for adult incontinence products shows that the improvement of elastic structures/materials is important to improve the fit and comfort of pull-on trousers. Soft spunbond, hot air and the latest LONSUN nonwoven materials can better improve the softness and comfort of adult incontinence products. Dry infusion layers such as perforated membranes can improve the performance of heavy incontinence products and protect skin health.