In today’s world, healthcare is on the cusp of a revolution, driven by a focus on improving patient care, safety, and hygiene. One of the biggest enablers of this change is the rise of smart materials such as non-woven fabrics.
With the right textile chemicals and speciality coating solutions, non-woven fabrics, especially in medical and filtration products, ensure a high standard of protection.
What are Non-Woven Fabrics?
As the name suggests, nonwoven fabrics are textiles made without traditional weaving or knitting techniques. While this might sound unusual, they’re produced by bonding fibres using chemicals, heat, or mechanical force.
The absence of weaving or knitting allows non-wovens to offer unique and versatile properties to support healthcare and filtration. Moreover, these fabrics can be further enhanced for critical applications with the help of speciality coating solutions, adding to their intrigue.
Features of Non-Woven Fabric That Support Healthcare and Filtration
1. Strength
Made with a fibre bonding method using textile chemicals, mechanical forces, or heat, this fabric resists tearing, stretching and provides durability. Hence, it is ideal for medical gowns and filters.
2. Flexibility
Bonding methods enable fibres to be arranged and rearranged in various patterns. This makes the fabric soft, pliable and adaptable to different shapes and uses.
3. High Filtration Efficiency
The dense fiber structure traps harmful particles, making these fabrics apt for medical masks, air and water filters, and protective apparel.
4. Breathability
The open structure of these non-woven fabrics promotes airflow. In healthcare, such fabric breathable fabric enhances comfort.
5. Lightweight and Soft
Efficient bonding methods that reduce bulk and make them soft to the touch. This is essential for medical staff and patients who wear fabric for extended periods. In terms of filtration, their low weight does not compromise flow rates, making the systems more energy-efficient.
6. Customisation:
Non-wovens can be engineered to incorporate additional features like antimicrobial properties with the help of customised speciality applications. For example, fabrics coated with Polyurethane Dispersions (PUD) coatings can improve abrasion resistance and fluid repellency. In healthcare, they make gowns and drapes more protective. In filtration, they improve fabric strength and particle retention.
7. Quicker Production Cycles
These fabrics eliminate the need for spinning, weaving, or knitting, resulting in faster and more scalable production. This is especially useful during emergencies, such as pandemics, when there is a surge in demand for medical supplies like masks, gowns, and filters.
8. Cost-effective
The manufacturing process for non-wovens is generally more affordable than traditional woven fabrics, making them an economical choice for high-volume products such as face masks and hygiene products.
9. Non-Woven Fabrics in Healthcare
Without non-wovens, the PPE shortages during COVID-19 would have been far worse. Healthcare systems can’t rely only on reusable gear. Sterilisation takes time, costs money, and isn’t always practical at scale.
Textile chemical manufacturers in India & worldwide enabled the rapid production of disposable, safe, and affordable protective equipment made from non-woven fabric when needed most.
Non-woven fabrics are used in healthcare for
- Surgical masks
- Isolation gowns
- Surgical drapes
- Wound care products
Non-woven Fabrics in Filtration
Non-woven fabrics play a critical role in both air and liquid filtration. Their structure allows them to trap fine particles without blocking airflow or liquid flow. The ability to customise pore size and fabric density makes them highly efficient, lightweight, and cost-effective for different filtration needs.
Non-woven fabrics are used in filtration for:
- Air purifiers
- HVAC systems
- Face masks
- Water treatment plants
- Industrial filtration.
Sustainability in Non-Woven Fabrics:
Non-woven fabrics were once dismissed as cheap and environmentally harmful. But speciality chemical manufacturers changed that. With innovations such as eco-resins, biodegradable binders, and single-material systems, these fabrics are now engineered for function and responsibility.
In fact, their low-impact process and material choice make them more environmentally responsible than conventional textiles. Moreover, some non-woven fabrics are coated with speciality coating solutions such as Polyurethane Dispersions (PUD) coatings. These coatings are low-VOC and more eco-friendly than solvent-based alternatives, hence, align well with the sustainable manufacturing goal.
Read More – Exploring Smart Coatings: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Planet
The Future of Non-Woven Fabrics
The future of non-woven fabrics is being shaped by three big shifts: performance, sustainability, and customisation. As consumer demand for high-performing sustainable materials increases, the textile chemicals manufacturers focus on creating customised speciality solutions and driving sustainable innovation through smart collaboration.
Conclusion
Non-woven fabrics are driving the advancement of the healthcare and filtration industries. Many items in these industries are entirely created from non-woven fabrics.
At Jesons, we believe in the power of innovation to meet the challenges and changing needs. As a textile chemical manufacturer in India, we create speciality chemicals to support the non-woven fabrics. Contact us to discover the next generation of speciality textile chemicals.
