Sustainability has become a fundamental property in the nonwovens sector, driving innovation toward reduced environmental impact. Narula’s core strategy addresses this through a commitment to the circular economy model, primarily centered on its recycled nonwoven line.
The REBOND™ Initiative
Narula offers the REBOND™ brand, a recycled nonwoven fabric line that utilizes recycled polypropylene (PP) fibers derived from reliable waste streams, incorporating up to 80% recycled content. The recycling of polypropylene nonwovens presents significant logistical challenges due to product complexity, contamination risk, and sorting complexities.
The strategic application for the REBOND™ line focuses specifically on durable, long-life products such as packaging, automotive components, and construction materials. This choice is highly pragmatic: since the company specializes in high-barrier materials (SSMMS, Meltblown) where purity is non-negotiable, channeling recycled PP into non-critical, durable applications successfully bypasses the contamination hurdles inherent in recycled PP collection.
By focusing recycled material into the durability segment, Narula effectively minimizes reliance on virgin polymers and maximizes the sustainable life cycle of the material, adhering closely to the principles of a circular economy by retaining the fiber stream in use for the longest possible duration.
The Broader Sustainable Landscape
While focusing on PP recycling, the industry also seeks alternatives for disposable items through bio-based feedstocks. Natural or cellulosic fibers, such as Viscose and Cotton, offer natural biodegradability and compostability and are valued for softness and absorbency in hygiene products. Furthermore, Bio-Polymers like Polylactic Acid (PLA), derived from renewable sources, offer impressive tensile strength and are designed to fully degrade under industrial composting conditions.
For any manufacturer targeting the European market with bio-based disposables, compliance with the EN 13432 standard is mandatory to legally claim compostability. This standard requires stringent verification of the material’s ability to achieve 90% biodegradation within a specific timeframe (typically 6 months), ensure adequate disintegration (no more than 10% fragments larger than 2 mm after 12 weeks), and maintain minimal negative effects on plant growth (ecotoxicity).
