Nonwoven Fabric for Hygiene Products — Sanitary Pads, Diapers & Incontinence
Hygiene nonwoven fabric is the primary raw material for sanitary napkins, baby diapers, adult incontinence products, panty liners, and maternity pads. As India’s leading hygiene nonwoven fabric manufacturer, Favourite Fab supplies hydrophilic topsheets, acquisition distribution layers (ADL), spunlace coverstock, PE-laminated backsheets, and SAP sheets — direct from our Agra facility to hygiene OEMs across India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Hygiene Product Nonwoven Components
A modern absorbent hygiene product contains 4–7 layers of nonwoven and film materials. Each layer has a specific function:
| Layer | Material | Function | Typical GSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsheet (coverstock) | Hydrophilic spunbond or spunlace | Skin contact — rapid liquid transfer | 15–30 GSM |
| Secondary topsheet | Spunlace or ADL nonwoven | Rewet prevention, liquid distribution | 20–40 GSM |
| Acquisition Distribution Layer | Through-air bonded bico or ADL | Distribute liquid to absorbent core | 30–60 GSM |
| Absorbent core | SAP sheet or fluff pulp + SAP | Lock liquid, prevent rewet | 80–300 GSM |
| Core wrap | Hydrophilic spunbond or tissue | Contain SAP, prevent gel block | 10–20 GSM |
| Backsheet | PE film or breathable SMS | Leak barrier | 20–30 GSM |
| Outer cover | Soft spunbond (garment-side) | Comfort, cloth feel | 15–25 GSM |
Technical Specifications
| Material | GSM | Width | Strike-Through Time | Rewet (g) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrophilic spunbond | 15–25 | 160–260 cm | <3 sec | <0.2 | Sanitary pad, diaper topsheet |
| Bico PE/PP spunbond | 12–22 | 160–260 cm | <2 sec | <0.15 | Premium diaper coverstock |
| Spunlace (viscose) | 30–50 | 160–320 cm | <5 sec | <0.5 | Sanitary pad top, cloth-feel |
| ADL (through-air bonded) | 30–60 | 160–260 cm | N/A | <0.1 | Distribution layer, diapers |
| SAP sheet | 80–200 | 20–60 cm | N/A | <0.05 | Absorbent core, all products |
| SMS backsheet | 20–30 | 160–260 cm | N/A — barrier | N/A | Breathable leak barrier |
Sanitary Napkin Raw Materials
Sanitary napkins use 4–6 nonwoven layers. The topsheet is the most critical — it determines skin comfort, liquid acceptance speed, and rewet performance. Favourite Fab supplies complete sanitary pad nonwoven kits or individual layers:
Topsheet Options
- Hydrophilic perforated spunbond (15–20 GSM) — fastest strike-through (<2 sec), most common
- Spunlace 100% viscose (30–40 GSM) — soft, cloth-like, premium positioned pads
- Embossed spunlace (35–45 GSM) — textured surface, enhanced liquid channelling
- Mesh embossed spunlace (30–40 GSM) — holes pattern for ultra-fast liquid transfer
Core & Absorbent Layer
Our SAP sheet provides 50–200 gsm superabsorbent polymer laminated between tissue layers. Absorption capacity 8–15× body weight. Available in custom widths 20–60 cm to match your liner configuration.
Backsheet
Breathable PE film (15–20 GSM) or SMS 20–25 GSM. SMS backsheets provide superior breathability for daywear pads — reduces heat buildup and moisture trapping vs standard PE film.
Baby Diaper Raw Materials
Baby diapers require consistent softness, rapid absorption, and zero rewet. Favourite Fab supplies all nonwoven components for diaper production lines running 300–1,200 diapers/minute:
Coverstock (Inner Topsheet)
Bico PE/PP spunbond 12–18 GSM. Core-sheath structure bonds at lower temperature — gives exceptional softness vs standard PP spunbond. Liquid strike-through <2 seconds. Available in white and embossed patterns.
Outer Cover (Backsheet Nonwoven)
Soft PP spunbond 18–22 GSM. Laminated to PE backsheet film. Cloth-feel outer layer. Available in plain white or printed with colour patterns for premium diaper positioning.
Leg Cuff Nonwoven
Hydrophobic PP spunbond 15–20 GSM. Provides leak barrier at leg openings. Must maintain hydrophobicity under mechanical stress — our leg cuff grade meets EDANA 80.3 hydrophobicity standards.
Waistband Elastic Nonwoven
Stretch spunbond or SMS 20–30 GSM. Bonds with elastic strands to form waistband. Must stretch 150–200% without delamination.
Adult Incontinence Raw Materials
Adult incontinence products demand higher absorbency, larger dimensions, and skin-health properties for extended wear. Key differences vs baby diapers:
- Higher SAP loading — 150–300 GSM core vs 80–150 GSM for baby diapers
- pH-buffered topsheet — reduces skin irritation from prolonged urine contact
- Odour control — activated carbon or zeolite incorporated into core or cover
- Larger format — 30–45 cm width vs 20–28 cm for baby diapers
Favourite Fab supplies pull-up pants nonwoven, tab diaper materials, light incontinence pad components, and bed underpad construction materials for adult hygiene OEMs.
Maternity & Panty Liner Materials
Maternity pads require ultra-high absorption with post-delivery fluid handling. Panty liners use ultra-thin construction with light absorption. Key materials:
- Maternity pad topsheet — soft spunlace 35–50 GSM (high comfort for post-partum use)
- Maternity pad core — SAP sheet 150–200 GSM for high-volume fluid absorption
- Panty liner topsheet — hydrophilic spunbond 12–15 GSM (ultra-thin construction)
- Panty liner core — SAP sheet 50–80 GSM slim profile
Quality & Testing Standards
All Favourite Fab hygiene nonwovens are tested per EDANA and INDA standard methods:
| Test | Standard | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid strike-through time | EDANA 150.3 / INDA IST 70.3 | <3 sec (topsheet) |
| Rewet | EDANA 151.1 | <0.2g (topsheet) |
| Tensile strength (MD) | EDANA 20.2 | ≥40 N/5cm (15 GSM) |
| GSM | EDANA 40.3 | ±5% of nominal |
| Width tolerance | In-house | ±1 cm |
| Hydrophilicity | EDANA 10.1 | Wetting angle <90° |
| pH (skin contact) | EDANA 70.2 | 6.0–8.0 |
Why Source Hygiene Nonwoven from Favourite Fab?
- Complete hygiene raw material kit — topsheet, ADL, SAP sheet, backsheet, SMS all from single supplier. Simplify procurement.
- Line-speed compatible — roll dimensions, splicing quality, and tension consistency validated on 300–1,200 dpm production lines
- Custom width slitting — slit to exact width ±1 cm tolerance for your diaper/pad width specification
- EDANA-tested batches — strike-through, rewet, GSM COA with every shipment
- B2B pricing — direct manufacturer. No distributor margin. Request a quote for your monthly volume.
- Trial rolls — 50–100 kg trial rolls available before bulk order commitment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best topsheet material for a premium sanitary pad?
Premium sanitary pads use either soft 100% viscose spunlace (30–40 GSM) for a cotton-like feel, or mesh-embossed spunlace (30–40 GSM) for ultra-fast liquid channelling. Both outperform standard hydrophilic spunbond on softness perception. Rewet performance is comparable across grades when paired with a high-quality SAP core.
What GSM hydrophilic spunbond is used for baby diaper topsheet?
15–18 GSM hydrophilic PP spunbond or 12–15 GSM bico PE/PP spunbond. Bico is softer but more expensive. For mid-market diapers, 17–20 GSM hydrophilic spunbond is the standard. Strike-through time must be <3 seconds on EDANA 150.3 test.
Can you supply nonwoven materials for a complete diaper production line setup?
Yes. We supply all nonwoven roll goods: coverstock, outer cover, leg cuff, waistband, and back sheet nonwoven. We do not supply elastic strands, tapes, or PE film — those are sourced separately. Our sales team can share a complete BOM recommendation for your target diaper specification.
What is the difference between spunlace and spunbond topsheet for sanitary pads?
Spunlace topsheet is softer and more cloth-like — preferred for premium pads. Spunbond (hydrophilic) has faster liquid strike-through and lower cost — preferred for mass-market pads. Both achieve good rewet when used with quality SAP cores. See our spunlace vs spunbond comparison for full detail.
Do you supply ADL (acquisition distribution layer) nonwoven?
Yes. Through-air bonded bico nonwoven 30–60 GSM serves as the ADL in premium diapers and adult incontinence pads. This layer rapidly distributes liquid horizontally across the SAP core, preventing gel-blocking and improving overall absorption speed.
What is the minimum order for hygiene nonwoven fabrics?
MOQ is 500 kg per specification for spunbond and spunlace grades. SAP sheet MOQ is 500 kg. Mixed-spec orders accepted for established accounts. Trial rolls (50–100 kg) available for new OEM qualification processes — contact our hygiene sales team.
Can you supply nonwoven in custom widths for our production line?
Yes. We slit all rolls to custom widths from 3 cm to 320 cm. Width tolerance ±1 cm. Minimum slit width 3 cm (for ear tape and waistband applications). Core inner diameter 3-inch or 6-inch per your unwind system requirement.
📋 Related: Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric | All Products from Favourite Fab
Gaurav Garg
I'm Gaurav Garg, CEO of Favourite Fab, a company on a mission to revolutionize the nonwoven industry with sustainable practices. We work hand-in-hand with manufacturers and suppliers who share our commitment to eco-friendly production. With a deep interest in textile innovation, I'm passionate about educating consumers about sustainable material options and their potential to transform the nonwoven landscape.
