Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: The extrudable composition may be an extrudable composition having a heat deflection temperature greater than about 50° C. and a melting point between about 80° C. to about 190° C., the extrudable composition includes about 60 to about 99.8% partially crystalline or crystalline polylactic acid, about 0.05 to about 8% cyclodextrin, about 0.1 to about 8% natural oil, fatty acid, fatty acid ester, wax or waxy ester, about 0.01 to about 5% nanofibers, about 0 to about 10% crystallinity agent, about 0 to about 1% starch-based melt rheology modifier, about 0 to about 5% colorant, about 0 to about 1% plasticizer, about 0 to about 1% gloss agent, and about 0 to about 1% barrier agent.

Abstract: Thus, the extrudable composition may comprise an extrudable composition having a heat deflection temperature greater than about 50° C. and a melting point between 80° C. to 190° C., the extrudable composition comprises 0 to 100% amorphous polylactic acid, 0 to 100% crystalline polylactic acid, 0.1 to 4% natural oil, 0.01 to 5% nanofibers, 0.05 to 8% cyclodextrin, 0 to 10% crystallinity agent, 0 to 1% starch-based melt rheology modifier, 0 to 1% polysaccharide crystallinity retarder, 0 to 1% natural wax, and 0 to 1% plasticizer.

Abstract: A high strength specialty paper comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of cellulosic fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the cellulosic fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: A paperboard and a cardboard comprising at least one nonwoven web layer are provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 1 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The paperboard and cardboard can incorporate a large amount of post consumer recycled fibers and still exhibit high strength and durability. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: A battery separator comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 10 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The battery separator exhibits an enhanced combination of strength, durability, and ionic resistance.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: A high efficiency filter comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 15 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The high efficiency filter has a filtration efficiency of 85% (DIN EN 1822) or higher. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: A microfiber-containing wet lap composition is provided. The wet lap composition comprises a mixture of a sulfopolyester dispersion and a plurality of water nondispersible synthetic polymer microfibers. The microfibers have an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and a length of less than 25 millimeters. The sulfopolyester dispersion comprises at least one sulfopolyester and water.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a hydraulically-formed nonwoven sheet, a package comprising such sheet, a method of packaging a medical device using a package with such sheet and a method of manufacturing such sheet are provided. This nonwoven sheet comprises first and second non-cellulosic polymeric fibers. The first non-cellulosic polymeric fibers have an average diameter less than about 3.5 micron, an average cut length less than about 3 millimeters and an average aspect ratio of about 400 to about 2000; the second non-cellulosic polymeric fibers have an average diameter greater than about 3.5 micron and an average aspect ratio of about 400 to about 1000. In a second embodiment, a hydraulically-formed nonwoven sheet is provided. This nonwoven sheet comprises binding material, non-cellulosic polymeric fibers and cellulosic based materials. The non-cellulosic polymeric fibers have an average diameter less than about 3.