Product designs, full size pads:

1. Topsheet: nonwoven or apertured film.
2. Absorbent core: pulp (Thick core either fluff core with SAP or Air laid core with SAP.
3. Backsheet: film.

Product designs, Ultra thin pad:

1. Topsheet - nonwoven or apertured film.
2. Transfer layer
3. Absorbent Layer
4. Absorbent Core
5. Backsheet film

Product shape can be either flat or curved with/without wings to secure the pad in place and add additional leak protection. It is available in various pattern designs with perfume (deodorant) added to cover or absorb odour. Packaging is done either folded and single wrapped or packed flat and unwrapped.

Raw material

Materials used in absorbent hygiene products:

• Nonwoven
• Pulp
• Super absorbent
• Plastic film
• Elastic materials
• Fastening devices
• Packaging

One typical example is as given below in Table 6.

The raw material content can slightly vary for different products and for different market.

A few suppliers of raw materials

• Nonwoven fabric: The permeable top layer of 12 to 18 GSM is normally a spunbond fabric made of polypropylene while the impermeable polyethylene/nonwoven film is the bottom layer for preventing the fluid to pass through. Sometimes a nonwoven fabric glued to polyfilm to give feel. Source of nonwoven fabrics in India by Ginni Filaments or Supreme Nonwoven or Pantex, Fiber Web, Union Industries, PVD plastic, Gujarat, etc. Cost of spunbond fabric is approximately Rs.140/kg.
• Cellulose Pulp - Wayerhaesder - Switzerland, Rayonier- UK, Tembee Tartas - France, Stora Enso-Italy.
• Super Absorbent Polymer BASF-India, Degassa-Italy. 1 gram SAP generally absorbs 30 ml water or up to 20 ml urine in 3 seconds.
• Polyethylene Back Sheet Exten-Switzerland, Plastik-Italy, Huhtamaki-Germany.
• Silicon Paper MCS-Switzerland, ICA-Italy, Rossella-Italy.
• Hot Melt seal and positioners - Savare, National Henket-Italy.
• Packaging - It can be from India or abroad.

Manufacturing method

The absorbent pad is the most important component of napkin. Absorbent pad is made of wood pulp mixed with SAP. Absorbent pad is prepared first. The absorbent pad is first created by using shredded wood pulp and vacuum laid to required shape and size, the weight is automatically controlled. By pressing it is formed to required thickness. Before forming the pad the pulp is mixed with super absorbent polymers (SAP) for enhancing fluid holding capacity.