An apparatus for making a multilayer absorbent element apt to be incorporated in a sanitary article is provided. The apparatus has an embossing roller bearing a plurality of protruding elements, a pierced roller bearing a plurality of protruding elements and cavities, and a unit of cohesion and drilling. The configuration of the apparatus is such that, after a first layer of sheet material is deformed by the embossing roll and the perforated roller continues to slide on the pierced roller, a second layer of sheet material is superimposed. The first and second layer of sheet material are then carried to the joining and piercing unit in which, at the intermediate zones of the first layer, it forms a plurality of holes passing through the first and second layer and joins them near or at the plurality of holes.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones the first region exhibits a Contact Angle of greater than 90 degrees, as measured by the Contact Angle Test Method detailed herein.