Abstract: A system and method for designing a fibrous non-woven mat production, where the method includes selecting various physical characteristics for at least some of the components to be included in the mat, obtaining empirical performance data relating to the mat based on the selected physical properties, developing a prediction equation for a performance characteristic of the mat based on the empirical data and the physical characteristics, calculating performance characteristics using the prediction equation, where ranges of at least some of the physical characteristics are used in the prediction equation, and selecting components for the mat based on the calculated performance characteristics.