Nonwovens by FDI

Converters looking for niche products in the healthcare industry may want to consider working with a nonwoven manufacturer who can produce meltblown products. 

There are a variety of reasons why meltblown products are a terrific solution for medical nonwovens, among them are: 

Surgical face masks are a critical protective measure in hospitals for both patients and hospital staff.  Quality face masks are of utmost concern for healthcare professionals and for the facility administrators who purchase these essential safety products.  The microscopic size of the bacteria means that the fabric used in these masks must prevent the airborne flow of the bacteria from the surgeon’s mouth to the patient and vice versa.  Additionally, the masks must protect the wearer against larger molecules like splashed blood in a surgical environment.

But why should healthcare professionals choose a disposable meltblown surgical face mask over a reusable textile mask?

Karen McIntyre of Nonwovens Industry recently published an article from the viewpoint of the wastewater industry on flushable wipes. She interviewed the sewage authority director, Rob Villee, in Middlesex, NJ for his perspective on the problem of flushability.  The aptly nicknamed “Lord of Wipes” claimed in the article that consumer education is where most of the problem lies with the perception that wipes are causing drain clogs all over the country. 

It’s a pretty tall order to expect something like a surgical gown or a bathing product to prevent the spread of infection. But, with the advent of new technologies and the cost-effectiveness of disposable nonwovens, more hospitals are seeking solutions from manufacturers for infection prevention.

The personal care wipes industry is high on lists of converters and manufacturers in the nonwovens arena. According to a February 5 article by Taro Olivo in Nonwovens Industry, the market has nearly doubled over the past ten years with over 170 billion units sold in 2013. 170 billion units translate to a lot of personal care dollars (about $8.2 billion) with more anticipated in the coming ten years.

Meltblown nonwoven fabrics are still in the early growth stage. They are already becoming more and more popular in the medical and filter industries due to the meltblown ability to produce microfibers.   But what is the meltblown process and how can it be beneficial to other products?

The nonwoven wipes market is forecast to be worth approximately $2.5 billion in 2016. As the economy continues to improve, the demand for wipes will be on the rise as well. During the recession, consumers economized by utilizing more traditional methods of cleaning, but as the economy grows again, consumer demand for disposable, portable, convenient wipes will continue to grow.

While several strains of the Ebola virus have been present in Africa since 1976, the virus has not been a threat in the United States until September of 2014 when a traveler from Liberia exhibited symptoms while visiting the U.S. Texas nurse Nina Pham contracted the Ebola virus while treating the Liberian patient Thomas Eric Duncan. Questions abound about the safety protocols at the Dallas hospital where Pham contracted the virus.   One thing we do know for certain, though, is that protective gear is essential for anyone coming into contact with these patients.

The nonwovens industry is abuzz. The final EPA ruling is that contaminated nonwoven wipes will be excluded from the definition of hazardous waste. While the wipes will still need to be managed appropriately and stored properly, companies will see significant savings in their hazardous waste disposal fees. This opens the door for many wipes companies to amp up their production of industrial wipes.