Abstract: The invention relates to a nonwoven material having elastic properties aligned in one direction, consisting of either one multilayer composite including at least one layer in which fibers or filaments made of an elastic polymer are contained, or of a homogeneous fiber and filament mix in which a portion of the fibers consists of an elastic polymer, wherein in each case a larger part of the fibers or filaments is aligned in a direction under the application of heat which extends transversely to the direction in which the nonwoven material is elastic. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the manufacture of the nonwoven material and to an apparatus to carry out the method.