According to an article this past week by Advanced Textiles Source, Roseville, Minn., USA, the cost of sustainability in fabrics is a factor for both wovens and nonwovens. "While sustainability is a topic of interest, many retailers and consumers expect sustainable products without having to pay more for them," said Elisabeth Stanger, global director, business development, hygiene at The Lenzing Group, Lenzing, Austria, which supplies manmade cellulose fibers to the textile and nonwovens industry, including those used in disposable wipes.

"Looking at sustainability means looking at the raw material, the production process, the logistics and the disposal," Stanger added. Edana and Inda, two international trade associations for the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry, recently released new guidelines addressing both dispersion and biodegradability. Stanger points out that Lenzing’s TENCEL® fibers are wood-based, and certified biodegradable and home-compostable, and its short-cut fibers can be part of a sustainable solution for future products.

Consumer education is a critical factor for the success of sustainable products—for both wovens and nonwovens. For hygiene products, Stanger notes that consumers typically aren’t informed about the raw material in the products, and that legislation is lacking. "Many consumers wish to buy sustainable products," Stanger said. "To do so, they need to be informed."