PU Backsheet for Underpads — Breathable Polyurethane Film Supplier India
PU backsheet for underpads is a premium polyurethane film that replaces standard PE film in high-performance disposable underpad construction. Favourite Fab supplies PU backsheet film to hospital consumables procurement teams, adult incontinence product manufacturers, and premium bed pad OEMs across India and 50+ export markets. Our PU film delivers measurable breathability (MVTR), softer hand feel, and waterproof barrier performance in a single layer. This guide covers material science, technical specifications, sourcing advantages, and how to request a bulk quotation.
What Is PU Backsheet for Underpads
A backsheet is the outermost layer of a disposable underpad — the layer that faces the bed or surface. Its primary function is to prevent fluid that has been absorbed by the core from leaking onto the surface below. Standard underpads use PE (polyethylene) film backsheet, which is waterproof but impermeable to air and moisture vapor.
PU backsheet (polyurethane film) is the breathable alternative. The polyurethane polymer structure allows moisture vapor to pass through the film while still blocking liquid water. This property — measured as MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) — is the defining advantage of PU over PE in underpad applications.
When a person lies on a PE-backsheet underpad for an extended period, heat and moisture vapor trapped between the pad and the bed surface can cause skin discomfort. A PU backsheet allows this vapor to escape, keeping the skin environment drier. This makes PU backsheet the standard specification in hospital-grade underpads, premium adult incontinence briefs, and long-wear bed protection products.
Buyers who source PU backsheet include hospital consumables procurement managers, adult care product manufacturers, contract converters producing premium underpads, and private label hygiene brands targeting healthcare and institutional channels.
PU Backsheet — Specifications
The table below covers Favourite Fab’s standard PU backsheet film range for underpad manufacturing. Custom thickness, MVTR targets, and surface finishes are available for OEM programs.
| Parameter | Specification | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polyurethane (PU) Film | Thermoplastic polyurethane; breathable, waterproof, free of plasticizers found in standard PVC films |
| Thickness | 15–25 micron | 15 micron for ultra-thin premium underpads; 20–25 micron for standard hospital and institutional grades |
| MVTR (Breathability) | 1,500–3,500 g/m²/24h | Tested per ASTM E96 / ISO 15496; higher MVTR = greater breathability; grade selected by product class |
| Tensile Strength | ≥25 N/25mm (MD and CD) | Sufficient for high-speed converting lines; resists tearing during lamination and winding operations |
| Elongation at Break | ≥400% | High elongation enables conformable, flexible underpad construction; does not crack under load |
| Width | Up to 2,600 mm (slit-to-order) | Jumbo rolls slit to machine-width specification; standard core sizes 76 mm and 152 mm available |
| Surface Finish | Matte / Embossed | Matte finish reduces noise (critical in hospital environments); embossed surface improves adhesive bond in laminate constructions |
| Application | Hospital underpads, adult briefs, premium bed pads | Suitable for direct lamination to nonwoven or fluff pulp core; compatible with hot-melt and solvent-based adhesive systems |
PU Backsheet vs PE Film Backsheet — Comparison for Underpad Buyers
Procurement teams evaluating PU backsheet for the first time often need a direct comparison against the PE film they currently use. The following summarizes the key differences relevant to underpad product decisions.
Breathability: PE film has zero MVTR. PU film at 15–25 micron delivers 1,500–3,500 g/m²/24h. In long-wear clinical settings, this difference directly impacts skin comfort and incontinence-associated dermatitis risk. Hospital procurement specifications for premium underpads increasingly require a minimum MVTR threshold.
Softness and noise: PE film produces a characteristic rustling noise when compressed. PU film in matte finish is significantly quieter — a meaningful specification in ICU and palliative care settings where noise is a patient comfort concern. PU film also has a softer, more textile-like hand feel, which affects patient perception of product quality.
Cost: PU film is priced at a premium over standard PE film. The premium is justified in hospital-grade and branded incontinence products where dryness and skin integrity outcomes are clinical priorities. Economy underpads for institutional bulk supply where cost is the primary driver continue to use PE film.
Converting compatibility: PU film runs on the same lamination and converting equipment as PE film with minor tension and temperature adjustments. Most converters can qualify PU backsheet on their existing line within two to three trial runs. Favourite Fab’s application engineers support this transition at no additional cost.
Why Source From Favourite Fab
- True breathability, not marketing: Our PU backsheet MVTR values are independently verified and included on every COA. Buyers receive actual test data, not nominal specification claims.
- Hospital-grade quality system: ISO-certified manufacturing with full lot traceability. Each roll is assigned a batch number traceable to raw polymer and production parameters. Essential for medical consumable supply chains.
- Soft hand feel by design: Favourite Fab PU film is formulated for low noise and soft drape — critical in patient-contact applications where rustling film causes discomfort in clinical settings.
- MOQ-friendly for R&D and scale: New product development teams can qualify PU backsheet on small development orders. Full production volumes and development samples are served from the same manufacturing line.
- Export-ready documentation: REACH compliance statements, MSDS, COA, and HS code documentation prepared for each export order. Active shipping to hospital supply chains in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
- Single-vendor upstream supply: Favourite Fab also supplies acquisition layers, SAP, and fluff pulp, allowing converters to consolidate multiple raw material lines with a single supplier relationship.
- Technical application support: Our team supports lamination process setup, adhesive compatibility testing, and machine tension optimization at no charge for qualified accounts.
Pricing and MOQ
PU backsheet pricing reflects the material’s premium specification versus standard PE film. Final pricing depends on thickness (micron), MVTR grade, roll width, surface finish, and order volume. Competitive wholesale pricing is available for both development quantities and full container orders.
Favourite Fab does not publish fixed list prices. To receive a quotation, contact our sales team with your target thickness, MVTR requirement, roll width, surface finish preference, and monthly or annual volume estimate. Sample rolls for machine trials are dispatched after receipt of your technical enquiry.
How to Order
- Send your technical specification: Email sale@favouritehub.com or WhatsApp +91-9528811566 with your target PU film thickness (micron), MVTR grade, roll width, surface finish (matte or embossed), and estimated order volume. Attach your current material spec sheet or product brief if available.
- Receive sample and quotation: Our team will send a commercial quotation within one business day and dispatch a sample roll for your converting trials, lamination tests, and quality validation.
- Place order and ship: Once you confirm sample approval and commercial terms, issue your purchase order. We prepare export documentation — COA, MSDS, packing list, HS codes — and dispatch from Agra within the agreed lead time.
Send your enquiry to: sale@favouritehub.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the key performance difference between PU backsheet and PE film backsheet for underpads?
A: The primary difference is breathability. PE film is fully impermeable — it blocks both liquid water and moisture vapor. This creates a humid microenvironment under the pad during extended wear, which can contribute to skin maceration. PU film blocks liquid water (waterproof barrier intact) but allows moisture vapor to escape at a measurable rate (MVTR of 1,500–3,500 g/m²/24h depending on grade). The result is a drier skin environment during long wear. Hospital-grade underpads and adult incontinence products in premium tiers consistently specify PU backsheet for this reason.
Q: What MVTR value should I specify for a hospital underpad application?
A: For standard hospital underpads designed for 4–8 hour use, an MVTR of 1,500–2,500 g/m²/24h (ASTM E96) is typically sufficient. For ICU underpads or extended-wear applications where the patient remains in contact with the pad for longer periods, 2,500–3,500 g/m²/24h is preferred. Higher MVTR grades are thinner and require more careful handling in converting. Our technical team will recommend the correct grade once we understand your product’s intended use and wear duration.
Q: Is PU backsheet compatible with standard hot-melt adhesive lamination equipment?
A: Yes. Favourite Fab PU backsheet is designed for compatibility with hot-melt adhesive systems used in standard underpad converting lines. The film’s surface energy is optimized for adhesive bonding without corona pretreatment in most cases. Our embossed surface finish further improves mechanical adhesion. We recommend conducting a lamination trial with a sample roll before full production. Our application engineers can advise on adhesive selection and lamination temperature settings if needed.
Q: Does PU backsheet meet REACH and RoHS compliance requirements for medical device supply chains?
A: Yes. Favourite Fab PU backsheet is produced from thermoplastic polyurethane polymer without phthalate plasticizers or other SVOC additives. REACH compliance statements are available for each grade. For customers supplying to CE-marked medical device manufacturers, we can provide supporting documentation for your technical file. Contact sale@favouritehub.com to request compliance documentation for your specific regulatory requirement.
Q: Can PU backsheet be supplied with printed or embossed branding for private label products?
A: Surface embossing with geometric patterns is available as a standard option and serves both aesthetic and functional purposes (improved adhesive bonding). Full print on PU backsheet (brand name, product graphics) is technically possible but requires discussion on print method compatibility and minimum volume. Contact our sales team with your private label specification and we will advise on feasibility and lead time for your program.
Q: What is the shelf life and storage requirement for PU backsheet rolls?
A: PU backsheet rolls should be stored in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and UV exposure, at temperatures between 10–30°C and relative humidity below 65%. Under these conditions, shelf life is 18–24 months from the date of manufacture. Each roll is bagged in polyethylene and packed in cardboard cores to prevent edge damage and moisture ingress during storage and transit. COA with manufacture date is included with every shipment.
Contact Favourite Fab
Favourite Fab is an upstream raw material supplier based in Agra, India. We serve disposable hygiene product manufacturers in 50+ countries with ISO-certified raw materials including PU backsheet, PE film, nonwovens, SAP, and fluff pulp.
To request a sample roll, technical data sheet, or commercial quotation for PU backsheet for underpad manufacturing, contact our sales team directly:
- Email: sale@favouritehub.com
- WhatsApp: +91-9528811566
Request pricing today. Share your thickness, MVTR requirement, and volume estimate. We respond within one business day with a quotation and sample dispatch confirmation.
