Wet Wipes Nonwovens

The ideal wipe should be soft, strong, absorbent and lint-free. It should also be economical and friendly to the environment – both in terms of production and end-of-life. The nonwoven fabric used for the wet wipes should therefore be made from renewable, biodegradable materials and must have high stability in both dry and wet conditions. This requires a wet-laid, spunlaced or melt-blown process and a wide range of raw materials, including wood fibres (e.g. cellulose), pulp and other natural fibres, and synthetic fibres such as viscose, polyester and polypropylene.

A key issue for wet wipes is their disposal into sewage systems. As a result, the industry has developed products that are considered to be "flushable". These can be identified by a label featuring the INDA and EDANA flushability symbol. The flush ability specification is based on seven tests, which simulate the path the wipe takes after being flushed.

Nonwoven wet wipes are one of the most commonly produced nonwovens and can be used for a variety of applications, including face and body cleaning, food preparation and disinfection. They are generally discarded into sewer systems, which makes them a significant source of microplastics. However, only a few studies have investigated the impact of wet wipes on microfiber generation and shedding.

Depending on the raw material and manufacturing process, different wet wipes have varying properties. This includes the number of fibres, their composition and length. Especially the latter influences the microfiber generation and shedding, as long fibres tend to generate more microfibers than shorter ones.

According to the results of a study carried out by Voith Group and Truetzschler Nonwovens, wet wipes that contain only short cellulose fibres can be successfully flushed down the toilet without causing operational problems in the sewage system. In contrast to synthetic fibres, cellulose is naturally degradable and does not burden the environment. The wet-laid spunlacing process that the two companies use for the cellulose wet wipes does not require the use of chemical binders, so the short cellulose fibres can disperse in agitated water.

Currently, most wet wipes are made from nonwoven fabrics made from polyethene, polypropylene and/or polyester. However, there is a growing demand for wet wipes that are biodegradable. As a result, the market for bio-based wet wipes has increased significantly. To meet this demand, manufacturers are looking for new, high-performing nonwovens that do not negatively impact the environment in the end-of-life phase – whether in a home or industrial composting system, the sewer system or even in landfills. This requires that the new nonwovens not only pass the existing tests for flush ability but that they also demonstrate their suitability in other tests. The IWSFG Flushability Specifications offer a more comprehensive assessment than the current INDA and EDANA tests, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of a wet wipe. It also addresses the impact of the type and blend of fibres in the nonwoven. In addition, it considers the properties of the raw materials, the manufacturing process and a wide range of wastewater treatment systems.

FULL VISCOSE EF TEXTURED WHITE SPUNLACE NONWOVEN