Suominen, a leading supplier of nonwovens, is exploring the latest trends, innovations, consumer behaviour, professional needs and other current topics in the nonwovens industry as part of its initiative to share its know-how in nonwovens for wipes, hygiene products and medical applications.

According to the company, the global advancements in healthcare and standards of living, which lead to the aging of the population, is increasing the demand for absorbent incontinence products, such as panty liners, disposable underwear and adult diapers, are good examples of products like that.

The company believes that the growing popularity of absorbent incontinence products will, in the course of time, shift the balance in the hygiene market from diapers and feminine hygiene products towards incontinence products.

Demand

Incontinence refers to both urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence and can be further divided into several subtypes, including urge, stress, overflow and functional incontinence, all of which have different causes. Men and women of all ages, from children to seniors, suffer from incontinence and as the awareness of this discomfort is increasing, using incontinence products is becoming more and more socially acceptable.

Incontinence products are by no means common consumer products yet, which is quite evident when you compare them to, for example, baby diapers or sanitary napkins, the company reports. This is the case even in North America and Europe, where the market penetration of incontinence products is still quite low.

Incontinence products

Modern incontinence products are ultra-thin, super absorbent and very discreet, unnoticeable from outside. And as the market drivers are strong, the hygiene product industry is constantly innovating to make these products even more comfortable for use.

The incontinence products can be divided into two categories: Products for light incontinence and products for moderate to heavy incontinence. In products for light incontinence, protective pads and panty liners are the most popular products. Incontinence pads, also known as bladder pads, differ from those used for menstrual protection. Where they look similar and both are lightweight, incontinence pads are designed to hold more fluid, to keep skin dry and capture odours.

The most rapidly growing category in products for moderate to heavy incontinence is protective underwear, pull-up pants, which feel like regular underwear and are discreet but also serve the purpose of keeping the wearer dry. This kind of disposable underwear should be, by definition, cloth-like, soft and comfortable. Breathability, too, is one of the most important features since these products are meant to enable normal, active and care-free living. As these products are becoming more common, the manufacturers need to differentiate from the competition with their products.

Advanced spunlace nonwoven

Products in both of these categories consist of multiple layers of different materials, for instance, films, pulp and of course nonwovens, which are used for various purposes in incontinence products. Nonwovens used in stretch parts must combine traditionally incompatible features, such as strength, stretchability, softness and light weight, the company reports.

Suominen’s FIBRELLA Lite nonwoven, the light spunlace nonwoven, is an example of a state-of-the-art which aims to meet all those requirements. Another part where nonwovens are needed is the ‘acquisition and distribution layer’ (ADL), where Suominen’s FIBRELLA Move can be used. Its purpose is to acquire the fluid, transfer it into the absorbent core and prevent it from flowing back onto skin. An advanced spunlace nonwoven made specifically for this purpose not only performs the task quickly but can also enhance wearer’s comfort.

Further reading

Suominen launches FIBRELLA Move nonwoven for global hygiene market

Suominen introduces FIBRELLA Lite Spunlace for hygiene markets

www.suominen.fi