Catalysts for dehydrating hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with high yield and selectivity, short residence time, and without significant conversion to undesired side products, such as, for example, acetaldehyde, propionic acid, and acetic acid, are provided. The catalysts are mixed protonated monophosphates. Methods of preparing the catalysts are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising a nonwoven material, the nonwoven material comprising PET resin having less than 150 ppm of antimony. One or more layers of cover materials are covering the nonwoven material both on the wearer-facing surface and on the garment-facing surface, such that the nonwoven material does not form a wearer-facing or garment-facing surface of the absorbent article.

A layered product including at least one natural fiber layer including a web of natural fibers and at least one SAP layer including a non-woven substrate including a thermoplastic polymer fibers and a superabsorbent polymer adhered to thermoplastic polymer fibers, wherein the non-woven substrate is a high loft fabric, for example an airlaid or spunlaid non-woven, and wherein the natural fiber layer and the SAP layer are connected to each other by needle punching, stitch bonding or using an adhesive. A process to prepare the layered product and the use of the layered product in for example horticulture.

The invention relates to slit absorbent articles and the use of slits in absorbent materials to provide improved liquid intake rate, flexibility and softness compared to the unmodified material. The absorbent material, including superabsorbent materials, are particularly useful as absorbent cores in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent products, sanitary napkins and the like.

Catalysts for dehydrating hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with high yield and selectivity, short residence time, and without significant conversion to undesired side products, such as, for example, acetaldehyde, propionic acid, and acetic acid, are provided. The catalysts are mixed condensed phosphates. Methods of preparing the catalysts are also provided.

An absorbent structure including a dryness layer laminate is disclosed, with the structure suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as for infant or incontinence care. The dryness layer laminate is positioned adjacent an associated absorbent core, between the absorbent core and the wearer, for enhancing surface dryness and comfort for the wearer. The dryness layer laminate comprises adhesive fibers or filaments, and particulate superabsorbent, and is configured to permit liquid to pass through the laminate to the associated absorbent core, while acting to remove liquid from the surface of the absorbent structure positioned adjacent to the wearer.

An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.

The present disclosure describes absorbent articles including absorbent cores. An absorbent core is positioned between a liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid-impermeable backsheet and includes a central channel and one or more lateral channels extending from the central channel. The channels are substantially free of absorbent material. The absorbent core may include embossed elements and/or regions and the channels may be positioned between the embossed regions. Some implementations include an additional absorbent core positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet. The additional absorbent core includes one or more embossed pathways. The embossed pathways of the additional absorbent core may overlie the channels of the absorbent core.

Processes for the purification of bio-based acrylic acid to crude and glacial acrylic acid are provided. The bio-based acrylic acid is produced from hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof. The purification includes some or all of the following processes: extraction, drying, distillation, and melt crystallization. The produced glacial or crude acrylic acid contains hydroxypropionic, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof as an impurity.

A biodegradable, disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, having a non-woven inner layer of natural fibers and a non-woven outer layer of natural fibers and a treatment applied to at least one surface thereof. The treatment includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of waxes, urethanes, silicones, fluorocarbons, and non-fluorochemical repellants. The absorbent article has a core of natural fibers or fibrous material, and optionally polyacrylate superabsorbent particles, positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The article may contain polylactic acid films between the layers.