Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of nonwoven materials in the healthcare industry, discussing their various uses, characteristics, advantages, challenges, recent developments, and potential future prospects. The essential nature of nonwovens lies in their barrier efficiency, breathability, and comfort, making them indispensable for surgical gowns, face masks, sterile packaging, wound dressings, and hygiene products. The chapter emphasizes the cost-effectiveness, disposability, and infection control offered by nonwoven materials, while also discussing their environmental impact and compliance with regulations. The dynamic advancement of these materials is demonstrated through the integration of nanotechnology and the development of smart nonwovens. Looking ahead, the availability of biodegradable alternatives and customized healthcare solutions is expected, driven by sustainability, technology, and emerging trends. The implications for the healthcare sector include enhanced patient safety, improved operational efficiency, and increased sustainability.
TopIntroduction
Nonwoven materials have revolutionized patient care, infection control, and medical device manufacturing, becoming indispensable components of the healthcare sector (Ajmeri & Ajmeri, 2016). The drive for greater cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and cleanliness in the healthcare industry led to the development of nonwoven materials (Song et al., 2022). Limitations associated with traditional fabrics, particularly in terms of sterilization, barrier properties, and disposability, were significant. In response to these challenges, nonwoven materials have emerged as a highly adaptable alternative. The need for materials that could meet the stringent demands of healthcare facilities, where patient safety and contamination control are paramount, catalyzed the transition from woven to nonwoven materials (Morris & Murray, 2020). The evolution of nonwoven materials began in the mid-20th century, with significant advancements gaining momentum in subsequent decades. These materials are produced using various techniques, such as needle punching, melt-blowing, and spun-bonding, each imparting unique properties that enhance the applicability of nonwovens in medical settings (Roy et al., 2022; Roy et al., 2023). Advances in material science and manufacturing processes have led to the creation of a wide array of nonwoven products, each designed to meet the specific requirements of diverse healthcare environments.
In recent years, nonwovens are increasingly consumed globally, encompassing residential, technical, and disposable hygiene applications (Kellie, 2016). The rise of new economies and an aging population are poised to escalate demand. Consequently, there is a growing need to produce materials with a significantly lower environmental impact that are also sustainable. Additionally, consumer awareness regarding the environmental effects of household and industrial products is on the rise. This awareness, fueled by media coverage, NGO activism, and product marketing, has heightened consumer expectations about the origins, production processes, and use of nonwoven products. Alongside market pressure, there has been an increase in stringent government regulations concerning environmental impacts, applicable to various industries, including textiles and nonwovens (Roy & Ashmika, 2024). In response to these multifaceted challenges, merchants and manufacturers are now assessing the environmental impact of their products, alongside traditional performance and cost considerations.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Healthcare: Healthcare refers to actions, especially those performed by qualified and certified professionals, aimed at maintaining, restoring, or improving an individual's physical, mental, or emotional well-being.
Sustainability: In terms of waste management throughout its lifecycle, nonwoven fabric is more environmentally friendly compared to other plastic types. Polypropylene and nonwoven fabric reduce the waste management burden as they are recyclable, reusable, and less harmful than many other materials.
Blowing Melt: Blowing melt is a nonwoven production technique that involves converting a polymer directly into continuous filaments, which are then randomly integrated into a nonwoven fabric. The initial significant developments in this area emerged around 1945, primarily in the industrial sector.
Spun-Bond: Spun-bond nonwoven fabric is produced by spinning fibers and spreading them into a web-like pattern. Air streams can be used to enhance the dispersion. The structure of the finished fabric, whether in sheet or web form, is determined by the requirements of the end product.
Moist Laid: Wet-laid nonwovens are produced by dispersing short fibers, typically about 30 mm in length, in water. This mixture is then laid onto a wire mesh, allowing the water to drain off and form a web. The fibers in the web become entangled due to either the use of a binding agent or fiber-to-fiber friction.
Needle-Punched Nonwoven: Needle-punched nonwoven fabrics are made by repeatedly inserting small, barbed needles into various fibrous webs, often carded webs. This process mechanically entangles the fibers through tangling and friction, creating a cohesive fabric.
Nonwoven Fabrics: Nonwoven textiles are defined as sheet or web structures bonded together by mechanical, thermal, or chemical means. They are made from individual fibers, molten plastic, or plastic film, forming flat, porous sheets that are directly transformed from these materials.