What Is Nonwoven Polypropylene?

Nonwoven polypropylene is a new kind of fabric. It is not woven but consists of a mesh of plastic fibers that form a strong, reusable material. Items made from nonwoven polypropylene can be used many times and the material itself is recyclable at certain facilities.

Features

Nonwoven polypropylene has become very widely used in recent years. It is cheap, durable, extremely lightweight and can be machine-washed. Nonwoven polypropylene holds dyes very well and can be produced in virtually any color.

Uses

Nonwoven polypropylene is used to make promotional tote bags. It also has medical applications. As it is soft and lightweight while capable of providing a barrier to infectious material, it is used for items such as surgical masks and gowns. A specialized form of nonwoven polypropylene mesh has been developed for use in hernia repair.

Considerations

Nonwoven polypropylene is often touted as a "green" fabric, based on the fact that it is reusable, can be recycled and can itself be made from recycled materials. It should be noted, however, that not all recycling facilities accept polypropylene and that not all nonwoven polypropylene is made from recycled materials.

References

• Quality Logo Products, Inc: What is Nonwoven Polypropylene and How Recyclable is It?
• Hills Inc.: Barrier Fabrics of Spunbounds For Medical Applications
• Hernia: Utility of a New Soft Non-Woven Polypropylene Mesh for the Transabdominal Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

Resources

• Canadian Plastics Industry Association: Online Lesson Plans