Softening Masterbatch

Application notes

This elastomer-containing masterbatch is developed for PP spunbond fabrics where a softer, cotton-like hand feel is required — most commonly hygiene topsheets and other skin-contact layers where comfort is part of the product value. Dosage is set by application because the softness target interacts with the base resin, fabric construction, and basis weight.

Softness in nonwovens is a multi-variable outcome. The elastomer component modifies fiber and bond characteristics, but the perceived hand feel also reflects filament denier, bond pattern and area, and basis weight. Adjusting one variable in isolation can move the result in unexpected ways, so softness trials should evaluate the fabric as a system and compare candidates under identical construction conditions.

As with any functional additive, the full property balance deserves attention: changes made for hand feel should be checked against strength, elongation, and any downstream requirements such as lamination or printing. Because hand feel itself is partly subjective, aligning on a reference fabric or an agreed evaluation method before the trial avoids ambiguous conclusions.

When requesting a recommendation, share the base resin, fabric construction and basis weight, the softness reference or target, and any downstream process the fabric must survive.