Disposable surgical gowns and masks are indispensable protective products in the medical industry, but the problem of plastic pollution is growing. Now, an innovative technology, Flushable Nonwoven Fabric, is quietly changing this situation. The material not only offers the protective properties of traditional nonwovens, but also degrades safely under certain conditions and can even be disposed of in a flushable manner. Could it be the future of medical protection?

A dispersible nonwoven is a specially designed nonwoven material made from natural fibres (e.g. wood pulp, cotton) or biodegradable synthetic fibres. Unlike traditional polypropylene (PP) nonwovens, it breaks down quickly on contact with water or in certain environments, reducing long-term environmental pollution.

Key Benefits:

✔ Environmentally degradable - reduces medical plastic waste

✔ Safe and secure - still resistant to bacteria and liquid penetration

✔ Ease of use - some products can be flushed directly down the toilet

Most traditional medical protective equipment relies on plastic-based nonwovens, which need to be incinerated or landfilled after use, which is not only costly, but can also release microplastics. Dispersible nonwovens offer a more sustainable solution:

Reduced risk of infection - rapid decomposition after use reduces the potential for secondary contamination

Reduces the cost of medical waste disposal - some products can go directly into the wastewater treatment system

In line with global environmental trends - the EU and the US have begun to promote biodegradable medical materials.

At present, some European and American hospitals have tried dispersible surgical gowns and masks, and preliminary feedback shows that:

Protection performance is up to standard

Decomposition rate of over 90% within 72 hours in a simulated sewage treatment environment.

High acceptance by healthcare professionals, especially suitable for short-term surgery and outpatient use.

Despite the promise, flushable nonwovens still face a number of technical challenges:

⚠ Cost - currently 20-30% more expensive than conventional nonwovens

⚠ Standardised handling - need for supporting waste management policies

With the global focus on sustainable healthcare, the market for flushable nonwovens is expected to grow by more than 35% over the next five years. A number of international medical giants have already invested in R&D, and some Chinese companies have also begun to layout this field.

Can dispersible nonwovens revolutionise the medical protection industry? For the time being, it seems to provide at least a feasible path to environmental protection. In the future, with the maturity of technology and policy support, we may see more ‘dispersible surgical gowns’ and ‘biodegradable masks’ entering hospitals, so that medical safety and environmental protection can truly go hand in hand.