Nonwovens are widely used in medical and hygiene applications such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, wipes or hospital gowns. Different technologies are used to produce the nonwovens: spunlaid, wetlaid and drylaid. The fibers are bonded thermally, chemically, mechanically or by hydroentanglement, depending on the webforming process and the chemical nature of the fibers. Synthetic fibers play a major role in nonwovens, with polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester and polyamide being the most important polymers. Effect additives can be used to modify the properties of nonwoven and broaden their applications.

Comfort & Freshness

Ciba® IRGASURF® HL 560 is a new, durable hydrophilic additive for polyolefins fibers and nonwovens. It provides less than 3 seconds initial strikethrough time and retains hydrophilicity even after 50 insults. With Ciba® IRGASURF® HL 560 polypropylene nonwovens can absorb more than 8 times its own weight of water, a real breakthrough for the use of polypropylene in wipes and other sorbent nonwovens. More

Ciba® IRGATEC® CR 76 is a novel polymer modifier for polyolefin nonwovens. It allows nonwoven producers to use standard polypropylene spunbond grades or recycled granules from fiber scrap to design meltblown nonwovens with outstanding liquid barrier and mechanical properties. More

Ciba® IRGAGUARD® antimicrobials are added to the fibers to inhibit the growth of bacteria on the nonwoven material.
 

Processing Efficiency

Ciba® IRGANOX® and Ciba® IRGASTAB® are optimized processing stabilizers systems designed to protect the polymeric material from thermal degradation during spinning at elevated temperatures. After the spinning and the webforming process, they protect the nonwoven from degradation and discoloration during storage.
 

Suitable products for polypropylene nonwovens for hygiene & medical: