How are nonwoven fabrics made?
Wet laid nonwoven fabrics account for the largest portion of the nonwoven fabric industry. Similar to the process used to manufacture paper, wet laid nonwoven fabrics are produced when staple fibers, water and other raw materials are made into slurry, similar to pulp. The liquid is then extracted, and the remaining content is oven-dried. The final products are made into a variety of products including apparel, medical packs and filters. This segment of the industry has seen some increases in demand, primarily at the expense of another nonwoven category, spunbonded nonwoven fabrics. Spunbonded nonwoven fabrics are typically strong and durable and are primarily used for the manufacture of medical and hygiene products, automotive and furniture applications, and geotextile and roofing markets. These fabrics are manufactured by melting and spinning polymers, they are then cooled and bonded into the final fabric. Carded nonwoven fabrics are made from staple fibers which are carded, sometimes