By: Kimberley Cherrington, Senior Global Brand Manager, Microban International
The perceived cleanliness of textiles in various industries – including the hospitality and healthcare sectors – can drastically impact the success of a business, as shown by a recent survey that found dirty bed sheets to be the greatest cause of hotel walkouts.1 Keeping premises clean – particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic – has been a huge priority and a massive undertaking for many businesses. Such high-traffic environments experience considerable footfall, and contain several high touch points that are frequently exposed to microbes, including bacteria, mould and mildew. Textiles are some of the hardest surfaces to keep clean in these settings as microbes can cling to the fibres in between launderings, presenting a considerable challenge for business owners. This is why several customer-serving industries have turned to more disposable textile materials for products ranging from cleaning cloths to mattress covers, and even laundry bags.
The evolving landscape of nonwoven fabrics
Nonwoven fabrics have shot up in popularity for this very purpose, as they are lightweight, more cost effective and easy to manufacture quickly for disposable products. They can also have comparatively shorter lifespans than other textiles – such as knitted or woven materials – that are made to last, making them ideal for single-use applications, including packaging, medical dressings and surgical masks. The demand for these materials unsurprisingly spiked considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, as sales for personal protective equipment surged following the implementation of compulsory face masks in public settings, and this heightened investment in surgical gowns, drapes, gloves and instrument wraps for hospitals.2
The resulting scale-up of the industry is expected to be long-lived as nonwoven consumption is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels; manufacturers now have the resources and capability to address the needs of other industries, such as clothing and hospitality. Government initiatives – like the National Technical Textiles Mission in India, which aims for an average growth rate of 15-20 per cent to ₹1,480 crore by 2024 – are also set to boost the technical textiles sector, including nonwoven products, particularly with the expansion of centres of excellence in this material.4,5
Sustainable shift
However, the immense consumption of nonwoven fabrics during the pandemic also drew attention to the negative impacts of single-use products on the environment, in the form of unmanageable mountains of waste. This is compounded by the fact that products such as nonwoven surgical gowns have been identified as significant contributors to carbon emissions in the healthcare industry.6 These issues are concerning for the future of nonwoven fabric, potentially driving a shift toward more durable alternatives and encouraging investment in biodegradable or flushable materials.
The nonwoven fabric industry therefore needs to adapt to overcome the ever-growing pressure of sustainability initiatives that aim to reduce consumption and waste. The apparel industry has already begun to do this by taking advantage of the material’s extensive properties – such as fire-retardancy, water resistance, breathability and washability – to consider it more a longer-term solution, rather than a single-use commodity. Similarly, the hospitality industry is also using nonwovens for reusable wipes, laundry bags and blankets, and discussions in healthcare about a more circular economy with nonwovens are underway.6 The overarching aim is to reuse products as much as possible, so that businesses can keep materials in circulation for longer and delay their entry to landfills, reducing waste overall.
Balancing cleanliness and sustainability
Despite the many environmental benefits that durable products bring, there are still concerns about maintaining the cleanliness of these materials that may hinder the adoption of reusable or recycled nonwovens. Some nonwoven fabrics have been touted as antimicrobial or as providing an impenetrable layer of protection against microorganisms, however, if they do not contain a registered biocide, they should not be marketed in this way. Various species of microorganisms have been proven to adhere to and survive on nonwoven fabric,7 regardless of the material composition. These microbes can then grow and proliferate on the surface, where they can begin to break down the fabric, reducing its tensile strength and resulting in tough-to-remove odours and staining. Visible discolouration and unpleasant odours can also negatively affect the consumer experience, giving the impression of uncleanliness in a business. For customer-facing industries, such as healthcare and hospitality, maintaining cleanliness and staying on top of the upkeep of maintenance is critical to ensuring customer satisfaction.
Laundering is, of course, one of the best ways to combat microbial growth, however, frequent washing can discolour and weaken fabrics, as well as negatively impact the sustainability of the settings, by increasing water and chemical consumption. The antimicrobial action of laundering has also been impaired in recent years by initiatives that aim to improve energy efficiency by decreasing washing temperatures. Washing alone therefore does little to remove unpleasant aromas in the long term. Recurrent laundering can also result in premature product disposal and replacement before the end of its expected lifetime, counteracting the benefits of opting for a reusable material.
Pioneering product protection
Antimicrobial technologies have emerged as a promising approach to reducing microbial damage, helping to protect nonwoven fabrics from their growth and proliferation. These technologies can be built into the composition of the fabric, providing durable and effective surface protection. In combination with traditional laundering, this can provide a complementary way to protect surfaces from microbial growth, helping to enhance the durability of nonwoven fabrics. It is therefore unsurprising that antimicrobials could shape the future of the nonwoven fabric industry, accelerating the adoption of these materials as durable and reusable commodities across many industries.
There are various antimicrobial offerings on the market that are suitable for different applications and industries. For example, products such as coffee towels that are used in hospitality can be protected with a solution that is food contact approved and not hindered by hot temperatures. There is also a shift in the market toward non-heavy metal technologies, which offer better toxicity profiles and are considered more environmentally friendly than traditional solutions, helping to reinforce product sustainability. It is therefore important that manufacturers work with a trusted and recognised supplier that meets their technical and sustainability requirements, and can provide the support needed to bring a product to market.
Microban is the leader in antimicrobial and odour control technologies, and has experience of partnering global brands and manufacturers to develop nonwoven materials with built-in antimicrobial product protection, including towels and wipes. It offers an impressive portfolio of EPA registered and BPR notified technologies – including metal-free chemistries – that can be effortlessly engineered into materials at the point of manufacture, for seamless product enhancement that doesn’t impact the existing qualities of nonwoven fabrics.
Summary
A new generation of durable and environmentally-friendly nonwoven fabrics is needed to reinstate the reputation of the material as a cost-effective and convenient option for healthcare, hospitality and apparel applications. Built-in antimicrobials will be pivotal in improving the longevity and sustainability of these products, by providing protection from microbial growth and odours, extending their useful lifetime and adding to the circular economy. Microban’s portfolio of technologies can give textile manufacturers a valuable edge over their competitors, providing customers with reassurance that treated fabrics will stay clean for longer, and ultimately helping to shape a more sustainable future.
References
Institute of hospitality. (2019). Accessed 20th June 2023. www.instituteofhospitality.org/the-importance-of-hygiene-for-guest-satisfaction
Chem Analyst. (2022). Accessed 21st August 2023. https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/soaring-demand-from-healthcare-to-strengthen-market-for-non-woven-fabric-9985
Tax Guru. (2020). Invest India: Technical textiles high-tech sun rise sector. Accessed 21st August 2023. https://taxguru.in/dgft/invest-india-technical-textiles-high-tech-sun-rise-sector.html
Industry Arc. Nonwovens forecast – Forecast (2022-2023). Accessed 21st August 2023. https://www.industryarc.com/Report/19540/nonwovens-market.html
Ministry of Textiles. National technical textiles mission. Accessed 21st August 2023. https://texmin.nic.in/technical-textiles-mission
Quintana-Gallardo A, del Rey R, González-Conca S, Guillén-Guillamón I. The Environmental Impacts of Disposable Nonwoven Fabrics during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Study on the Francesc de Borja Hospital. Polymers. 2023; 15(5):1130. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15051130
Majchrzycka K, Okrasa M, Szulc J, Jachowicz A, Gutarowska B. Survival of Microorganisms on Nonwovens Used for the Construction of Filtering Facepiece Respirators. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(7):1154. Published 2019 Mar 31. doi:10.3390/ijerph16071154