Nonwoven replaces weaker materials

Do you have materials or components in your production that could be replaced with nonwoven for longer durability, tensile strength or better resistance against fluids or UV-light? Here are examples of three other materials that nonwovens have replaced due to their flexible properties.

Woven materials

Nonwovens can of course replace woven materials - in many industries, nonwovens have even completely out-competed woven materials.

One example is the bed and furniture industry, where spunbond is now common as an inner lining for, for example, sofa cushions or as a wrap around the suspension in order to protect fabrics. Needle felt is also popular in this industry as it easily can be recycled and reused.

Healthcare also uses nonwoven to a greater extent than woven materials today. For example, disposable clothing and hygienic curtains and drapes as dividers between patients' beds are often produced in nonwoven instead of in textile.

Paper

Paper is a fragile and liquid-sensitive product that many industries have chosen to replace with various types of liquid-resistant nonwoven.

An example is bench paper in healthcare or at massage and SPA facilities. Nonwoven is more durable but also provides a nicer feeling when used close to the skin.

In the food industry, food-approved nonwovens has since a long time replaced paper in tea bags, not only because of its durability but also because nonwoven can be welded together more easily. We are also seeing more and more nonwoven in reusable coffee filters.

Metal or molded plastic

Fiberglass is a very strong and durable material and is used in, for example, boats and cars instead of molded plastic or metal. Molded needle felt is also used for the interior of cars.

Fiberglass has become such a popular material because it has good resistance to UV light and can withstand higher temperatures than many other similar materials. Basic substances doesn’t affect the material and, unlike metal, it does not conduct electricity.

These are three good examples of materials replaced by nonwovens, but the list is long because the material is so multifaceted that it is used in everything from oil filters, diapers, building materials and healthcare products.

If you want to explore the possibility of replacing components in other materials in your production with nonwoven, you are welcome to contact us at info@nonwoven.se or order samples on the website.