There is described a nonwoven material comprising a multilayered stack, the multilayered stack comprising discrete interconnected layers, each of the layers, which may be the same or different, comprising a composite fibre of from about 80 to 100% w/w leaf or stem fibre and from about 1 to 20% w/w of a polymer, wherein the polymer is fusible at a temperature of about 180° C. or less.

There is also described a novel method of enzyme degumming leaf and/or stem fibres.

Embodiments of the present invention describe secured fiber-reinforced aerogels and laminate structures formed therefrom. In one embodiment a laminate comprises at least one fiber-reinforced aerogel layer adjacent to at least one layer of fiber containing material wherein fibers from said at least one fiber-reinforced aerogel layer are interlaced with fibers of said at least one fiber-containing material. In another embodiment a laminate comprises at least two adjacent fiber-reinforced aerogel layers wherein fibers from at least one fiber-reinforced aerogel layer are interlaced with fibers of an adjacent fiber-reinforced aerogel layer.

A sheet material has good mechanical properties, flexibility, lightweight properties, and quality, and also relates to a production method therefor. The sheet material includes, as constitutional components, an elastic polymer and nonwoven fabric composed mainly of ultrafine hollow fiber with an average monofilament diameter in the range of 0.05 to 10 μm, the ultrafine hollow fiber containing 2 to 60 hollows.

A sheet material has good mechanical properties, flexibility, lightweight properties, and quality, and also relates to a production method therefor. The sheet material includes, as constitutional components, an elastic polymer and nonwoven fabric composed mainly of ultrafine hollow fiber with an average monofilament diameter in the range of 0.05 to 10 μm, the ultrafine hollow fiber containing 2 to 60 hollows.

Apparatus and methods for forming melt-formed fibres and melt-formed biosoluble fibers are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a spinning head comprising one or more rotors; a plurality of nozzles or slots disposed around at least part of the one or more rotors; a conveyor; and a barrier between the spinning head and the conveyor.

Described is a pouched product for oral use with a filling material and a saliva-permeable pouch. The pouch is made of a saliva-permeable packaging material that includes fibres and enclosing the filling material. The pouch has a first seal joining at least two plies of the packaging material. The at least two plies are interconnected in the first seal by inter-ply fibres, the inter-ply fibres being fibres which are present in at least two plies of the at least two plies.

Filter media and media packs that provide robust performance in high-speed rotating coalescer (HSRC) elements for crankcase ventilation systems are described. The filter media is HSRC filter media. As such, the filter media has a higher resistance to compressibility than traditional coalescer filter media, such as filter media used in low-speed rotating coalescer arrangements or stationary coalescer arrangements.

Filter media and media packs that provide robust performance in high-speed rotating coalescer (HSRC) elements for crankcase ventilation systems are described. The filter media is HSRC filter media. As such, the filter media has a higher resistance to compressibility than traditional coalescer filter media, such as filter media used in low-speed rotating coalescer arrangements or stationary coalescer arrangements.

Provided is an artificial leather that achieves both a soft texture and excellent durability, and a method for manufacturing the same, the leather comprising: a fibrous base material formed from superfine fibers having an average single fiber diameter of 0.1-10 m; and a polymeric elastic body, where the polymer elastic body comprises a compound having a hydrophilic group and a compound having an ethylene oxide skeleton, the content of the compound in the polymeric elastic body of the artificial leather being 0.1-5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the polymeric elastic body.

Provided is an artificial leather that achieves both a soft texture and excellent durability, and a method for manufacturing the same, the leather comprising: a fibrous base material formed from superfine fibers having an average single fiber diameter of 0.1-10 m; and a polymeric elastic body, where the polymer elastic body comprises a compound having a hydrophilic group and a compound having an ethylene oxide skeleton, the content of the compound in the polymeric elastic body of the artificial leather being 0.1-5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the polymeric elastic body.