Process difference between PET/PLA and PP in non woven fabric machines

When making nonwoven fabrics, the choice between PET, PLA and PP affects both production and performance because all three run on similar machines but they behave differently during spinning, web formation and bonding. Well PET and PLA need higher melting points and stricter temperature control than PP which also changes energy use and cooling stes so knowing these differences helps avoid issues and ensures the fabric works well for its purpose, whether in masks, farm covers or packaging.

When making nonwoven fabric with PP (polypropylene), the process is generally quicker and more energy-efficient than with PET or PLA since PP melts at a lower temperature (about 160–170°C), it needs less heating which shortens start-up time and lowers energy use. And here’s a step-by-step look at the process.

Well first polypropylene (PP) nonwoven production starts with feeding dry and clean granules into the extruder hopper to avoid clogging or uneven spinning. Inside the extruder, the PP is melted and pushed through spinnerets to create continuous filaments. Since PP has a low melting point, temperature control is easier than with PET or PLA and the filaments are then cooled quickly with air which helps maintain consistent fiber thickness and ensures fabric quality so after cooling, the fibers are laid onto a moving conveyor to form a web using either spunbond or meltblown techniques depending on the desired properties. The web is then bonded through heated rollers or air bonding systems where PP’s lower bonding temperature reduces the risk of thermal damage. Finally, the fabric is wound into rolls, cut to size and even prepared for delivery and because PP melts at lower temperatures and cools faster it is well-suited for high-speed, energy-efficient production which is why it’s widely used in applications like medical masks where cost and performance both matter.

Making nonwoven fabric with PET (polyester) or PLA (polylactic acid) follows the same basic steps as PP production but some settings and handling are different and both materials have higher melting points like for about 250–260°C for PET and 170–180°C for PLA so machines need more heat and precise temperature control to form stable fibers and here’s how the process works.

PET or PLA chips are first dried to remove moisture before being fed into the extruder hopper, as leftover moisture can cause bubbles or weak spots in the fibers and once dried, the material is heated inside the extruder until it melts then pushed through spinnerets to form continuous filaments. Since PET needs higher heat and has thicker viscosity, the extruder is adjusted accordingly while PLA melts more easily but requires careful handling to avoid brittleness. And also cooling is slower compared to PP so chilled air or water quenching is often used to solidify PET filaments while PLA needs controlled cooling to keep its bio-based stability. The solidified filaments are then laid onto a moving belt to create a uniform web with belt speed and airflow carefully managed to prevent uneven layers. Afterward, the web is bonded so PET usually at higher temperatures, PLA with lower heat and pressure to protect its biodegradable nature using methods like thermal or ultrasonic bonding and finally, the fabric is rolled, cut and even packaged. PET fabrics are favored for filtration and industrial durability while PLA fabrics are chosen for eco-friendly uses like packaging and agricultural covers though production is slower than with PP due to higher heating and sensitive cooling needs, PET and PLA fabrics stand out for their unique strengths like PET offers strong, long-lasting material,while PLA provides compostable and sustainable options.