Non-woven fabric is a fabric like material made of short fibers or filaments bonded to each other by chemical, mechanical, thermal or solvent treatment. They are not made by weaving or knitting, and do not require the conversion of fibers into yarn.
Non-woven fabrics have a wide range of applications in many fields, such as medical supplies, filtration materials, geomaterials, household items, clothing items, personal care products and so on.
As a new type of environmental protection material, non-woven fabrics have the following characteristics:
Recyclability: non-woven fabrics can be recycled and made into new products, such as insulation materials, auto parts, building materials, etc. This makes them more sustainable than some other types of fabrics. 3
Biodegradability: non-woven fabrics can use natural and renewable raw materials, such as cellulose fibers, to make degradable products, such as wipes, diapers, sanitary napkins, etc. These products can be naturally decomposed after use, reducing environmental pollution.
Energy saving: The production process of non-woven fabrics is simpler and faster than the traditional weaving or knitting process, and consumes less energy and resources.
Of course, non-woven fabrics also have some environmental problems, such as:
Synthetic materials: non-woven fabrics mostly use synthetic materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, etc., which will cause harm to the environment if not handled correctly. 3
Chemical treatment: non-woven fabrics may use some chemical substances in the bonding or coating process, such as resins, solvents, etc., which may produce toxic waste gas or wastewater, affecting air and water quality.
Therefore, the non-woven fabric industry should strive to improve the production process and product design to improve the environmental protection and sustainability of non-woven fabrics to meet the needs of society and consumers. 2