Fabrics suitable for a wide variety of uses, including coverage of crops, crop planting sites, or both, are disclosed. The fabrics may comprise at least one spunbond layer comprising filaments including a filler. The at least one spunbond layer may comprise a basis weight of least about 12 grams-per-meter-squared and the at least one spunbond layer may comprise an average transmittance value within the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) across wavelengths 400 nm to 700 nm comprising about 37% or less. Methods of enhancing crop growth are also disclosed.

Fabrics suitable for a wide variety of uses, including coverage of crops, crop planting sites, or both, are disclosed. The fabrics may comprise at least one spunbond layer comprising filaments including a filler. The at least one spunbond layer may comprise a basis weight of least about 12 grams-per-meter-squared and the at least one spunbond layer may comprise an average transmittance value within the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) across wavelengths 400 nm to 700 nm comprising about 37% or less. Methods of enhancing crop growth are also disclosed.

Fabrics suitable for a wide variety of uses, including coverage of crops, crop planting sites, or both, are disclosed. The fabrics may comprise at least one spunbond layer comprising filaments including a filler. The at least one spunbond layer may comprise a basis weight of least about 12 grams-per-meter-squared and the at least one spunbond layer may comprise an average transmittance value within the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) across wavelengths 400 nm to 700 nm comprising about 37% or less. Methods of enhancing crop growth are also disclosed.

The invention provides a soundproofing material having excellent heat resistance, and, as a felt that is moldable into a soundproofing material at a low temperature, a felt which contains 10 mass % to 90 mass % of an unstretched thermoplastic resin fiber, and has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 100 mm, and an areal weight of 50 g/m.sup.2 to 2 kg/m.sup.2.

The invention provides a soundproofing material having excellent heat resistance, and, as a felt that is moldable into a soundproofing material at a low temperature, a felt which contains 10 mass % to 90 mass % of an unstretched thermoplastic resin fiber, and has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 100 mm, and an areal weight of 50 g/m.sup.2 to 2 kg/m.sup.2.

Novel composite materials are provided consisting of a substrate based on fibers of natural, mineral or vegetable origin, and of a mixture formed from a matrix of water-based resin and an expanding agent. The nature and the proportions of the various elements constituting these novel composite materials is also provided. A method of manufacture for making these novel composite materials starting from the constituent elements and the characteristics of the different steps of said method is also provided.

Novel composite materials are provided consisting of a substrate based on fibers of natural, mineral or vegetable origin, and of a mixture formed from a matrix of water-based resin and an expanding agent. The nature and the proportions of the various elements constituting these novel composite materials is also provided. A method of manufacture for making these novel composite materials starting from the constituent elements and the characteristics of the different steps of said method is also provided.