BIODEGRADATION OF y-STERILIZED POLYPROPYLENE NONWOVENS

摘要

Since the initial production of nonwovens more than 2 decades ago, the nonwoven industry remains to be the fastest growing sectors of textile materials in the world. During the last decade, nonwovens production increased by 10% globally generating nearly 6 million tons in 2007. In the next 5 years, overall world growth of the demand for nonwovens is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. Global consumption of nonwovens will reach 15.6 billion pounds in 2015, an increase from 11.9 billion pounds in 2010.2 In North America the demand for nonwoven materials reached 2.2 billion pounds in 2010 and is expected to reach 2.6 billion tons in 2015, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%. On a national level, the United States demand for nonwoven roll goods is projected to rise 3.7 percent annually through 2013 generating virtually 10 million tons. As the nonwovens market continues to expand, the introduction of biodegradable, sustainable raw products to create nonwovens remains unchanged.