A method of forming a multi-layer needled non-woven article, comprising forming a web of a fiber base layer, an intermediate film and a fiber top layer, wherein the intermediate film is disposed between the fiber base layer and the fiber top layer; needle punching the web with a plurality of needles; and wherein, during needle punching, fibers of the fiber base layer are carried by the needles, extended through perforations in the intermediate film formed by the needles and entangled with fibers of the fiber top layer.

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.

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.

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.

Wipes for preventing chlorine depletion suitable for commercial applications (e.g., industrial and consumer disinfectant wipes) are provided. The wipe includes at least one nonwoven layer, at least one pulp layer, and a nonionic modified siloxane additive. The at least one nonwoven layer and the at least one pulp layer may be hydroentangled to form a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric having a first surface and a second surface. Additionally, the nonionic modified siloxane additive may be disposed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface.

Wipes for preventing chlorine depletion suitable for commercial applications (e.g., industrial and consumer disinfectant wipes) are provided. The wipe includes at least one nonwoven layer, at least one pulp layer, and a nonionic modified siloxane additive. The at least one nonwoven layer and the at least one pulp layer may be hydroentangled to form a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric having a first surface and a second surface. Additionally, the nonionic modified siloxane additive may be disposed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface.

A planar composite material comprises an UD fiber layer A made of discrete reinforcing fiber rovings and a fiber nonwoven layer B made of a thermoplastic nonwoven which may contain reinforcing fibers, wherein the layers A and B are needled to each other.

A planar composite material comprises an UD fiber layer A made of discrete reinforcing fiber rovings and a fiber nonwoven layer B made of a thermoplastic nonwoven which may contain reinforcing fibers, wherein the layers A and B are needled to each other.

A composite nonwoven sheet material includes pulp fibers, a reinforcement material and microfibers. The sheet material has one pulp-enriched first outer layer and one microfiber-enriched second outer layer, the reinforcement material is thereby interposed between the pulp-enriched first outer layer and the microfiber-enriched second outer layer and the pulp fibers and the microfibers penetrate the reinforcement material. Also disclosed is a process of producing such composite nonwoven sheet material and the use of such composite nonwoven sheet material.