Nonwovens, also known as nonwovens, are composed of directional or random fibers. They are a new generation of environmental protection materials. They are moisture-proof, breathable, flexible, light in weight, non combustion supporting, easy to decompose, non-toxic and non irritating, rich in color, low in price and recyclable. For example, polypropylene (PP material) particles are mostly used as raw materials, which are produced by continuous one-step process of high-temperature melting, wire spraying, sizing and hot rolling. It is called cloth because of its appearance and some properties.
As of 1998, the consumption of non-woven fabrics in the world has reached 2.4 million tons. In 1970, its consumption was only 400000 tons, and by 2007, its consumption is expected to reach 4 million tons. The producers of non-woven fabrics are mainly concentrated in the United States (41% of the world), Western Europe (30%), Japan (8%), China (3.5%) and China (17.5%). Man made fibers still dominate the production of non-woven fabrics, and this situation will not change much until 2007.
In the world, 63% of the fibers used in non-woven fabric production are polypropylene, 23% polyester, 8% viscose, 2% acrylic, 1.5% polyamide, and the remaining 3% other fibers. The application of non-woven fabrics in health absorbing materials, medicine, transportation, shoe-making textile materials has increased significantly.