Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is provided for a primary carpet backing comprising a bicomponent filament of polymeric core/sheath-type, the polymeric core component of which has a higher melting point than the polymeric sheath component, said bicomponent filaments are bonded together by the application of heat to form said fabric, characterized in that the polymeric sheath component is selected from the group containing polypropylene and copolymers comprising polypropylene and/or blends thereof. The invention is further directed to a process of manufacturing such nonwoven fabrics and to articles, such as car carpets, comprising them.

Abstract: Proposed is a nonwoven sheeting containing at least one layer of fibers, which at least one layer has a length, a width, and a thickness, which distinguishes itself in that along a direction parallel to its longitudinal direction and/or along a direction parallel to its transverse direction, this layer forms two or more sections, with adjoining sections each exhibiting different mechanical properties. The invention is further directed to the use of the nonwoven sheeting as tufting backing for carpets, carrier for bituminous sheeting, and in irrigation mats, dust control mats, carpet tiles, and secondary carpet backings.