Tara Olivo, Associate Editor08.04.21
Nonwovens producers and converters for food packaging applications have been developing new products centered on sustainability. They’re doing this through the use of natural fibers while reducing the amount of raw materials used overall in the products.
In food pads, airlaid, which utilizes a very high percentage of natural fibers, is the primary nonwoven used, but spunbond/SAP/spunbond laminates are also available in the market. Nonwoven food pads absorb liquid from perishables like meat and fruit to keep them fresh and extend shelf life, while also reducing food waste.
Nonwovens industry consultant Phil Mango projects that the total percentage of airlaid that goes into food pads is around 7% on a global basis. “The European food pad business is much larger from a nonwovens point of view than in North America,” he says. “Novipax is by far the largest producer of food pads in North America and they still use mostly non-airlaid or other nonwovens; they use some nonwovens, but it’s a very small percentage.”
There are a few conflicting problems that are limiting airlaid’s growth in North America, h
In food pads, airlaid, which utilizes a very high percentage of natural fibers, is the primary nonwoven used, but spunbond/SAP/spunbond laminates are also available in the market. Nonwoven food pads absorb liquid from perishables like meat and fruit to keep them fresh and extend shelf life, while also reducing food waste.
Nonwovens industry consultant Phil Mango projects that the total percentage of airlaid that goes into food pads is around 7% on a global basis. “The European food pad business is much larger from a nonwovens point of view than in North America,” he says. “Novipax is by far the largest producer of food pads in North America and they still use mostly non-airlaid or other nonwovens; they use some nonwovens, but it’s a very small percentage.”
There are a few conflicting problems that are limiting airlaid’s growth in North America, h
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