WO2024213442A1

WO2024213442A1 - Sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer

Info

Publication number: WO2024213442A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/058945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katharina Gregorich; Anna-Sophie FISCHER
Original assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2023-04-14
Filing date: 2024-04-02
Publication date: 2024-10-17
Also published as: EP4446486A1

Abstract

Method for producing a sheet material and sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer. The sheet material comprises at least one nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web manufactured with endlessly produced filaments, particularly produced by a solution-blown technique. The sheet material has a basis weight between 40 g/m² and 70 g/m², preferably between 50 g/m² and 60 g/m², a liquid absorptive capacity of less then 900%, preferably less than 800% and even more preferred less than 700 %, and a lotion release value of more than 4%, preferably more than 4.5 % and most preferably more than 5 %.

Description

Sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer

Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer, methods for producing such a material, and uses of such material.

Description of the Related Art

Several production techniques for producing nonwoven layers are known in the art. Basically, nonwoven materials can either be produced from staple fibers or by a direct-forming process, wherein the nonwoven layer consists endlessly produced fibers that have been deposited and collected on a conveyor belt in a random orientation.

In the most common technique for producing nonwoven layers from staple fibers, a fleece is formed by carding the fibers and then use hydroentanglement (or spunlacing) for bonding the fibers. This technique is usually referred to as “carded- spunlace” and is very well known to the person skilled in the art.

Direct-forming techniques are also known under the term “spunbonding”. The term “spunbonding” is a generic term encompassing all direct-forming techniques such as “meltblown” or “solution-blown”. In the following paragraphs the main features of these techniques are described. In the present disclosure the terms “spunbond”, “meltblown” and “solution-blown” are used as defined in the following paragraphs. Nonetheless, it has to be understood that these terms are not being used consistently in the literature and are often confused or used in a different meaning or used synonymously.

Synthetic spunbond nonwovens are produced by the extrusion of plastic melts through a spinneret. In the initially described spunbonding processes (such as it is disclosed, for example, in GB2114052A or EP3088585A1), the filaments are extruded through a nozzle and pulled off and drawn by a drawing unit located underneath. A similar process is the meltblown process (e.g., US5,080,569A, US4,380,570A or US5,695,377A), wherein the extruded filaments are entrained and drawn by hot, fast process air as soon as they exit the spinneret nozzle. In both technologies, the filaments are deposited in a random orientation on a deposit surface, for example, a conveyor belt, to form a nonwoven fabric, are carried to postprocessing steps and finally wound up as nonwoven rolls.

The directly formed nonwovens produced from plastic melts according to the aforementioned processes can be produced with very low basis weights, for example of 10 g/m², and with high tensile strengths. However, such nonwoven fabrics generally have insufficient absorption properties for applications in which absorbency plays a role. In addition, such nonwoven fabrics are biodegradable to a small extent or not at all.

From US8366988A it is known to also produce cellulosic nonwoven materials according to the spunbonding technology.

In order to combine the mechanical stability of synthetic spunbonded or meltblown nonwovens with the absorption properties of pulp, a process has been described in EP0333211 in which a synthetic meltblown nonwoven product, which, in particular, is based on polyester or polyolefin, is connected with cellulosic staple fibers or a layer of wet-laid pulp, e.g., hydrodynamically. Further developments of this process (e.g. described in US5,284,703, US5,587,225 and US2009/0233049) allow the production of a larger range of products, in particular the production of a cheaper mass product for the wipe market. Thus, in this process, by combining a modified airlaying process with meltblown technology, for example, an absorbent nonwoven product can be produced in which pulp fibers are present in a state of homogeneous distribution across a synthetic polyolefin fibre matrix. Such products also suffer from their incomplete biodegradability.

From today’s ecological point of view, the combination of synthetic, i.e. petroleumbased staple fibers as well as of petroleum-based spunbonded nonwovens, made, for example, of polyester or polypropylene, with pulp is questionable. Products specifically manufactured for the mass market, which contain petroleum-based fibers or filaments, are neither completely biodegradable, nor are there suitable recycling methods for them. Composite nonwoven fabrics made of plastic and pulp are sold worldwide and end up on landfill sites, in rivers or in the oceans after having been used a single time. Microplastics are thereby generated, which are absorbed into the food chain and whose effects on life cannot yet be fully foreseen. However, significant amounts of microplastics emerge even before, during the use of such products - as shown in abrasion tests and in the subsequent microscopic examination thereof, with clear signs of material removal and fiber breakage.

A spunbonding process that can be used for cellulosic materials is the solution-blown technology, which is, for example, disclosed in US6358461A and US6306334A. A cellulosic spinning mass, especially a lyocell spinning mass, is thereby extruded and drawn by an air stream similar to the meltblown process. However, prior to the deposition into a nonwoven, the filaments are additionally brought into contact with a coagulant in order to regenerate the cellulose and produce dimensionally stable filaments. The wet filaments are finally deposited in a random orientation as a nonwoven layer. Indeed, the solution-blown technique has only little in common with the classic spunbond or meltblown processes for plastic melts, as initially described. The lyocell spinning mass is a solution with a cellulose content of only 7-14%. Therefore, not only the fibre-forming cellulose, but also an even larger amount of solvent is extruded during the solution-blown manufacture. The solvent is then extracted from the nonwoven and recovered in a subsequent washing step.

From W02012090130 the production of nonwoven fabrics without plastic content and without chemical binders is known. A layer of wet-laid pulp is thereby connected with a second nonwoven layer of regenerated cellulose fibers or endless cellulose filaments by means of hydroentanglement.

WO2021170610 discloses a composite nonwoven fabric comprising at least one spunbonded cellulosic nonwoven produced according to the solution-blown technique and at least one layer of biobased biodegradable short fibers.

JP6267913B2 discloses a solution-blown nonwoven material produced according to the cuprammonium-process.

When loading a nonwoven sheet material with a fluid, such as a lotion or a cleaning liquid, good liquid uptake properties are required. To provide such good liquid uptake properties, the nonwovens according to the state of the art are produced to have a high porosity combined with a pore geometry that supports a high liquid uptake. Cellulosic fibers generally improve the liquid uptake properties of a nonwoven material. Further, a high bulkiness is preferred to improve the liquid uptake. Only with a sufficiently high liquid uptake it can be guaranteed that during use a sufficient amount of liquid can be released. Nonetheless, a high amount of fluid cannot be released, but is retained within the nonwoven structure and will be disposed as waste together with the product after use.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide teachings how to reduce the amount of waste fluid remaining in nonwoven materials after use. It is a further object, to provide sheet materials that can be loaded with a lower amount of fluid and, nonetheless, provide the same performance as highly loaded nonwovens known in the art.

Summary

The present disclosure relates to a sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer, wherein the sheet material comprises at least one nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web manufactured with endlessly produced filaments, particularly produced by spunbonding, preferably by a solution- blown technique, wherein the sheet material has a basis weight between 40 g/m² and 70 g/m², preferably between 50 g/m² and 60 g/m², a liquid absorptive capacity of less then 900%, preferably less than 800% and even more preferred less than 700%, and a lotion release value of more than 4%, preferably more than 4.5 % and most preferably more than 5%.

The term “endlessly produced filaments”, as it is used herein, denotes filaments that have been produced or fed to the production unit of the nonwoven layer in an unintermitted way, e.g. by continuous extrusion through a spinneret, and that have not been subjected to any deliberate cutting process before forming the nonwoven layer.

A cellulosic nonwoven layer produced by spunbonding, preferably by a solution- blown technique, allows for a very fine and target-oriented adaption of the production parameters to produce a nonwoven layer according to the preferences disclosed herein.

The term “spunbonding”, as it is used herein, denotes any process of directly forming nonwoven layers from endlessly produced filaments.

The term “solution blown” as it is used herein, denotes a process for forming a nonwoven layer from a cellulosic spinning dope, especially a lyocell spinning dope. The spinning dope is thereby extruded to form filaments in an endless manner and the filaments are drawn by an air stream and then at least partly coagulated by a coagulant before being deposited on a deposit surface in a random orientation for form the nonwoven layer.

The inventors have surprisingly found that according to the teachings disclosed herein it is possible to reduce the liquid absorptive capacity of a nonwoven material while, at the same time, the lotion rewet value of the same nonwoven material can be increased. This overcomes the common presumption that for increasing the lotion release it is obligatory to also increase the liquid absorptive capacity so that the nonwoven material can be loaded with more liquid. The present invention allows for an overall reduction of lotion that is required for the desired lotion release. As the lotion is a main cost driver for many fluid-laden nonwoven products, a significant cost reduction can be realized according to the present disclosure.

As it is shown in the examples, currently available nonwoven sheet materials that are used for wet-wipes or the like do not fall into the specified parameter range. It is generally presumed that the high release value would only be reached with cellulosic nonwoven products that either have a higher basis weight and/or a higher liquid absorption capacity. It seems natural that reducing any (or both) of these parameters would also decrease the lotion release value. By the teachings disclosed herein, the person skilled in the art is empowered to increase the lotion release value into the specified range while keeping (or even reducing) the basis weight and/or the liquid absorptive capacity. The method features that allow for the simultaneous optimization of these contradictory parameters depend on the specific production method and are thoroughly described herein.

The term “nonwoven layer”, as it is used herein, refers to a flat nonwoven structure produced according to any process known in the art, specifically produced according to any process described or referred to in the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “sheet material” refers to a product comprising (or consisting of) one or more nonwoven layer(s).

As used herein, the term “basis weight” (BW) refers to the value as it can be measured according to NSWP 130.1.R0(15) [EN],

As used herein, the term “liquid absorptive capacity” (LAC) refers to the value as it can be measured according to NWSP 010.1. RO (15) [EN],

The lotion release value can be measured with a roller pressing test according to the following protocol: From the sheet material 10 samples with a size of 20 cm x 20 cm are cut out.

All samples are conditioned at 23 °C (+/- 2°C) and 50% (+/-5%) relative humidity for 24 hours.

Each sample is weighted to determine the weight of the unloaded sample.

The samples are carefully loaded 3-fold with demineralized water by spraying. In the context of the present disclosure, the term “3-fold” means that the weight of the loading fluid (i.e. demineralized water) corresponds to three times the weight of the unloaded sample.

Staples of 5 samples each are then sealed in a pouch and stored for two days at ambient temperature to allow equalizing and swelling of the fibers.

The samples are unpacked and weighted separately to determine the weight of the loaded sample (WLS).

Liquid is then squeezed out by horizontally passing each sample through a roller-press set to a roller speed of 3 m/min and a pressure of 0.5 bar. The samples are passed through the roller-press in the machine direction of the sample material.

Each sample is weighted again after squeezing to determine the weight of the squeezed sample (WSS).

The weight of the squeezed off liquid (WL) is determined as the weight difference of the sample before and after squeezing according to the formula WL=WLS-WSS.

The lotion release value (LRV) is determined as the percentage of the weight of the squeezed off liquid relative to the weight of the loaded sample according to the formula LRV=(WL/WLS)*100 [%].

For the roller pressing test according to this protocol a roller press having a roller diameter of 110 mm and a roller length of 500 mm, e.g. a roller press of the type Foulard HVF 50041796, can be used, but the same measurement result can also be achieved by the use of an equivalent roller press.

It has to be noted that the roller pressing test disclosed herein very well reflects the ability of the sheet material to set free an amount of fluid during use. To the knowledge of the applicant at the priority date of this document there exists no standard test for this property of sheet material and therefore the test protocol described herein has been created. As the test protocol is simple and easy to perform it is evident from the application that the skilled person would face no difficulty in carrying out the presented test and would thereby be able to establish the exact meaning of the parameter and to make a meaningful comparison with the prior art.

Spunbonding, and especially the solution-blown technique, allows for a very precise and reproducible adaption of the properties, especially the thickness of the filaments and the structure and distribution of the pores can be very easily adjusted over a broad range. Further, the solution-blown technique offers the possibility of adjusting the amount of merging that is allowed to occur between the different filaments when they are deposited on the deposit surface. Merging occurs if the nonwoven layer is formed while the filaments are still in a not yet fully coagulated state. Practically, the amount of merging is manly adjusted by an adjustment of the amount of coagulation fluid that is applied to the freshly spun filaments in-between the spinneret and the fleece-forming unit (i.e. the moving support onto which the filaments are laid). Additionally, the diameter and/or diameter distribution of the filaments can be adjusted by the spinneret dimensions, spinneret hole diameters, spinning dope flow rate, drawing-air flow and coagulation spray intensity.

As will be shown in the examples, it is possible to use a solution-blown process to directly produce a nonwoven sheet material according to the parameters disclosed herein. The term “directly produce” means that no additional treatment steps, such as application of binders or addition of further materials, such as pulp or the like, are necessary.

It is believed that for a technically and economically feasible sheet material, the liquid absorptive capacity should be at least 300% (for a material with a basis weight of about 50 g/m²) . The lotion release value should be as high as possible. It is believed that a lotion release value of up to 12% or even more could be achieved.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sheet can have a thickness between 0,35 mm and 0,6 mm, preferably between 0,4 and 0,5 mm.

A thickness within this range is mostly lower than with most of the wipes that are currently available at the market. By reducing the thickness, the liquid absorptive capacity can be reduced. By simultaneously reducing the pore volume, the lotion release can be kept high or even increased. For example, the pore volume can be reduced by producing a relatively high bulk density.

The term “thickness” (TH) refers to the value as it can be measured according to NWSP 120.6. RO (15) [EN], Method A.

According to another preferred embodiment, the sheet material can have a bulk density, defined as the basis weight divided by the thickness, of at least 100 kg/m³, preferably at least 125 kg/m³.

As used herein, the term “bulk density” (BD) refers to the basis weight divided by the thickness.

It has been found, that by altering the bulk density, the lotion release value can be adjusted. A higher bulk density generally increases the lotion release value. Without being bound to this theory, it is believed that a higher bulk density leads to a reduced amount of voids and pores between the fibers and/or filaments where the fluid can be bond. Therefore the fluid uptake manly happens within the cellulosic fibers, which surprisingly increases the lotion release value.

In another preferred embodiment, the sheet material can comprise biodegradable short fibers, preferably pulp fibers, that are integrated into the at least one nonwoven layer.

The biodegradable short fibers that are integrated into the nonwoven layer can be applied in a way that they fill the voids in the structure and therefore increase the bulk density. This feature can therefore be used to create a nonwoven sheet material according to the parameters as specified herein.

The bio-based biodegradable short fibers can be applied in a way that they fill voids in the nonwoven sheet material and therefore further reduce the amount of voids and pores in the material and facilitates a very compact structure. This further reduces the liquid absorptive capacity and, as it was surprisingly found, contributes to an increase in the lotion release value.

As bio-based biodegradable short fibers, for example, cellulosic pulp can be used which can either be applied to the nonwoven matrix by a wetlaid or airlaid technique.

Techniques for integrating short fibers into a nonwoven material are pre se known in the art, e.g. from W02021170610A1 , which has been filed by the same applicant. For legislations, where this is legally possible, the disclosure of WO2021170610A1 is taken up herein by reference in its entirety.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to the use of a sheet material as it is disclosed herein to produce a wipe loaded with a fluid.

Compared to the state of the art, a lower amount of fluid is required to produce the fluid loaded wipe. Nonetheless, the user experiences the same or even better cleaning properties. To produce the wipe, a base material consisting of the sheet material as disclosed herein can be cut, packaged and loaded with the fluid (in any technically sensible order).

According to another aspect the present disclosure relates to a wipe comprising a sheet material as disclosed herein.

Such a wipe can be loaded with a lower amount of fluid which reduces costs and has a positive environmental effect.

Examples of wipes include, but are not limited to, cleaning wipes, cosmetic caring wipes, peeling wipes, polishing wipes, body care wipes, refreshing wipes, deodorizing wipes and the like.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wipe can be loaded with a fluid.

In case the wipe is loaded with fluid during production, a lower amount of fluid additionally reduces transport costs due to the reduced weight.

According to another embodiment, the wipe can be loaded with a fluid selected from a list comprising waterbased fluids, oil based fluids, disinfectant fluids, fluids comprising cleaning agents, fluids comprising skin-care agents, fluids comprising make-up removal agents.

The cleaning wipes can therefore be adapted to a broad spectrum of possible applications.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer, wherein the sheet material comprises at least one nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web manufactured with endlessly produced filaments, particularly produced by a solution-blown technique, wherein the production parameters are selected to produce the sheet material to have a basis weight between 40 g/m² and 70 g/m², preferably between 50 g/m² and 60 g/m², a liquid absorptive capacity of less then 900%, preferably less than 800% and even more preferred less than 700%, and a lotion release value of more than 4%, preferably more than 4.5 %, most preferably of more than 5%.

According to the teachings disclosed herein, the person skilled in the art is able to select and adjust production parameters to adjust the properties of the sheet material in a range that allows for a liquid absorptive capacity in the specified range. Likewise, production parameters can be selected to adjust the properties of the sheet material in a range that allows for a lotion release value in the specified range.

As during the production of nonwoven sheet materials the mutual interactions of the different production parameters are complex, the optimal values for the material properties, such as bulk density and relative pore volume, can only be specified in the context of the specific circumstances of the particular production process and its parameters. Nonetheless, being aware of the teachings disclosed herein, the person skilled in the art is able to select and find the production parameters that are required to produce sheet materials within the claimed scope and achieve the effects disclosed herein.

The term “porosity”, as it is used herein, is defined as the fractional empty space contained within the material. Further, the three-dimensional pore geometry and the fiber and/or filament diameters have to be taken into account and can be adapted according to the teachings disclosed herein to produce a sheet material according to the specified parameters.

In the context of the solution-blown technique (i.e. direct manufacturing from lyocell spinning solution in the form of substantially endless regenerated cellulosic fibers), the settings to produce a sheet material within the optimal values disclosed herein can, for example, be found according to the following approach:

To change the properties of the nonwoven material, the following general rules apply.

Increasing the spinning dope throughput at the spinneret with constant pressure of stretching air increases the thickness of the filaments and the thickness of the fabric and the basis weight of the so-produced nonwoven layer, if the belt speed is kept constant.

Increasing the drawing-air-flow at the spinneret leads to a nonwoven layer comprising thinner fibers that are arranged in a more tangled way. This generally increases bulk density, which, in turn leads to a thinner layer with reduced liquid absorption capacity.

Increasing the speed of the support, on which the nonwoven layer is formed, reduces the thickness and the basis weight of the nonwoven layer.

To reduce the liquid absorptive capacity, the amount of voids and pores can be reduced. The reduced voids can then take up less fluid and the fluid is then manly incorporated into the cellulosic matrix of the filaments.

Reducing the amount of coagulation spray leads to a higher merging of the filaments in the nonwoven layer. The layer will be produced thinner and with a higher degree of filament merging (i.e. the filaments stick together). This will render the nonwoven layer more compact and will reduce the porosity. This also leads to a higher bulk density and reduced thickness.

Higher coagulation spray intensity leads to reduced filament merging and increases the bulkiness. Even thicker and more bulky nonwoven layers can be produced by increasing the thickness of the filaments and increasing the amount of coagulation which is decreasing the merging.

As a starting point the settings can be adjusted to produce a nonwoven material with the required basis weight, wherein the values for the coagulation spray intensity and the stretching air intensity can be chosen in a middle range of the possible settings. Other parameters can be chosen according to other requirements of the specific nonwoven material to be produced. It has to be noted that under normal circumstances, the so produced nonwoven material will not have the particular properties as specified herein.

To find appropriate settings for the production of a nonwoven material according to the present disclosure, the production parameters are adapted in a systematic manner to reduce the voids. A reduction of the voids can particularly be achieved by increasing the drawing-air-flow and/or reducing the coagulation spray intensity.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises one or more of the following features: a thickness of the sheet material as measured according to NWSP 120.6. RO (15) [EN], Method A, is adjusted to a value of between 0,35 mm and 0,6 mm, preferably between 0,4 and 0,5 mm, a bulk density of the sheet material, defined as the basis weight divided by the thickness, is adjusted to a value of at least 100 kg/m³, preferably at least 125 kg/m³.

A thickness and bulk density within these ranges allows for the production of a resource-efficient end product.

The skilled practitioner who is aware of the teachings disclosed herein is able to adjust the production parameters to achieve and optimize these values within these preferred value ranges.

According to another preferred embodiment, bio-based biodegradable short fibers, preferably pulp fibers, can be integrated into the at least one nonwoven layer.

Several production techniques are known to integrate short fibers, such as pulp (either in the form of a liquid suspension comprising the pulp or as dry fluff pulp) into the matrix of the nonwoven layer. Non-exhaustive examples are the carded-wetlaid- pulp technique, the carded-airlaid-carded technique or the techniques that are disclosed in W02021170610A1.

After applying the pulp to the nonwoven material, preferably by a wetlaid- or airlaid- technique, the composite material can be pressed and compacted in a roller press and/or bound by hydroentanglement.

The integration of short fibers allows for a reduction of the voids and pores in the material. Further, the pulp has, inter alia, a positive effect on the softness of the product and the lotion release value.

According to still another preferred embodiment, the at least one nonwoven layer of cellulosic web can be subjected to the pressure of a roller press in a never-dried state to adjust the thickness of the sheet material.

By adjusting the thickness in the never-dried state, the bulk density can be increased which, in turn, increases the lotion release value. The roller press can either directly act on the nonwoven layer of cellulosic web alone or on the nonwoven layer after an integration of short fibers. Further, the roller press step can be applied before or after a hydroentanglement step (if such a step is provided for).

The term “never-dried”, as it is used herein, refers to the nonwoven layer after having been deposited on the deposit surface, wherein the nonwoven layer is still in a wet state with essentially fully swollen fiber structure and has not experienced a heated air stream for drying.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to the use of a sheet material as disclosed herein and/or produced according to any of the methods disclosed herein for the production of consumer goods and/or industrial goods, wherein the consumer goods and/or industrial goods preferably can be selected from a list comprising wet wipes, cosmetic sheet masks, dry wipes designed for getting wetted with liquid, liquid application systems, woundcare products and the like.

Examples

The following nonwoven sheet material samples were prepared:

Comparison Material 1

As a first comparison sample a conventional nonwoven material was prepared according to the carded spunlacing technique. The material was prepared with lyocell fibers of 1.7 dtex with a length of 38 mm. The fibers were carded to form a fleece with the intended basis weight (see Table 1 below) and then spunlaced using 5 spunlacejet bars in ascending pressure settings at a line speed of 100 m/min.

Comparison Material 2

As a second comparison sample a conventional nonwoven material was prepared according to the carded spunlacing technique. The material was prepared according to the same settings as for Comparison Material 1, but using viscose fibers of 1.7 dtex with a length of 38 mm.

Innovative Material 1

A nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web according to the teachings of the present disclosure was manufactured with endlessly produced lyocell filaments according to the solution-blown technique. The production parameters were set to achieve a high bulk density (by reducing coagulation spray intensity to increase the filament merging and increasing the stretching-air-flow) and a low thickness, to reduce the liquid absorptive capacity. The line speed and throughput were set to achieve a carrier material with a nominal basis weight of 20 g/m². The neverdried material was subsequently loaded with wetlaid pulp so as to add up to a nominal basis weight of approximately 60 gsm and hydroentangled so as to bind the wetlaid pulp to the carrier material. To flatten the structure and further increase the bulk density, the material was led through a pressing roller before drying. The composite was thereafter dryed and then collapsed to a very flat dry carrier pulp composite material.

Innovative Material 2

A nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web according to the teachings of the present disclosure was manufactured with endlessly produced lyocell filaments according to the solution-blown technique. Compared to Innovative Material 1 the material was produced without wetlaid pulp. The line speed and throughput were set to achieve a nonwoven material with a nominal basis weight of 60 g/m². To achieve a flat structure with high bulk density, relatively high filament stretching (fine filaments) in combination with a relatively high merging (low coagulation flow) was used. The fabric was subsequently hydroentangled with a low pressure setting so as to keep the thickness of the material on a low level. The material was subsequently dried (which caused a further collapse of thickness) and wound.

Table 1 shows the main properties of Samples and Comparison Samples, namely

BW- basis weight measured according to NSWP 130.1.R0(15) [EN]

TH - thickness measured according to NWSP 120.6. RO (15) [EN], Method A.

LAC - liquid absorptive capacity measured according to NWSP 010.1. RO (15) [EN],

BD - bulk density (basis weight divided by thickness)

Table 1 - Sample properties

It can be seen from Table 1 that the liquid absorptive capacity of the Innovative Materials was well below the values of the Comparative Materials. Further, the Innovative Materials were thinner and had a higher bulk density compared to the Comparative Materials. For all Samples and Comparative Samples the liquid absorptive capacity was determined by the protocol disclosed herein. The following measurement values are shown in Table 2:

WLS - weight of the loaded sample

WSS - Weight of the squeezed sample

WL - weight of the squeezed off liquid

LRV - lotion release value

All measurements were derived from 10 independently measured Samples of each Material. For all cases, the measurement result (line x) and the standard deviation of the 10 measurements (line s) is given.

Table 2 - Sample lotion release value measurement

Table 2 shows that both Innovative Materials showed a significantly higher lotion release value than the Comparison Material, despite the reduced liquid absorptive capacity.

The inventors believe that a material that has similar properties to Innovative Material 1 can be produced by combining a 40 gsm pulp tissue paper with a 20 gsm neverdried carrier material inline so as to create a 60 gsm pulp composite which is then spunlaced and dried.

Claims

1. Sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer, wherein the sheet material comprises at least one nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web manufactured with endlessly produced filaments, particularly produced by spunbonding, preferably by a solution-blown technique, wherein the sheet material has a basis weight between 40 g/m² and 70 g/m², preferably between 50 g/m² and 60 g/m², a liquid absorptive capacity of less then 900%, preferably less than 800% and even more preferred less than 700%, and a lotion release value of more than 4%, preferably more than 4.5 % and most preferably more than 5%.

2. Sheet material according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet material has a thickness between 0,35 mm and 0,6 mm, preferably between 0,4 and 0,5 mm.

3. Sheet material according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet material has a bulk density, defined as the basis weight divided by the thickness, of at least 100 kg/m³, preferably at least 125 kg/m³.

4. Sheet material according to any of the Claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet material comprises biodegradable short fibers, preferably pulp fibers, that are integrated into the at least one nonwoven layer.

5. Use of a sheet material according to any of the Claims 1 to 4 for producing a wipe loaded with a fluid.

6. Wipe comprising a sheet material according to any of the Claims 1 to 4.

7. Wipe according to Claim 6, wherein the wipe is loaded with a fluid.

8. Wipe according to Claim 7, wherein the wipe is loaded with a fluid selected from a list comprising waterbased fluids, oil based fluids, disinfectant fluids, fluids comprising cleaning agents, fluids comprising skin-care agents, fluids comprising make-up removal agents.

9. Method for producing a sheet material comprising cellulosic regenerated fibers arranged in at least one nonwoven layer, wherein the sheet material comprises at least one nonwoven layer of a cellulosic web manufactured with endlessly produced filaments, particularly produced by spunbonding, preferably by a solution-blown technique, wherein the production parameters are selected to produce the sheet material to have a basis weight between 40 g/m² and 70 g/m², preferably between 50 g/m² and 60 g/m², a liquid absorptive capacity of less then 900%, preferably less than 800% and even more preferred less than 700%, and a lotion release value of more than 4%, preferably more than 4.5 %, most preferably of more than 5%.

10. Method according to Claim 9, wherein the method comprises one or more of the following features:

- a thickness of the sheet material as measured according to NWSP 120.6. R0 (15) [EN], Method A, is adjusted to a value of between 0,35 mm and 0,6 mm, preferably between 0,4 and 0,5 mm,

- a bulk density of the sheet material, defined as the basis weight divided by the thickness, is adjusted to a value of at least 100 kg/m³, preferably at least 125 kg/m³.

11 . Method according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein bio-based biodegradable short fibers, preferably pulp fibers, are integrated into the at least one nonwoven layer.

12. Method according to any of the Claims 9 to 11 , wherein the at least one nonwoven layer of cellulosic web is subjected to the pressure of a roller press in a never-dried state to adjust the thickness of the sheet material.

13. Use of a sheet material according to any of the claims 1 to 4 and/or produced according to any of the methods of claims 9 to 12 for the production of consumer goods and/or industrial goods, wherein the consumer goods and/or industrial goods are preferably selected from a list comprising wet wipes, cosmetic sheet masks, dry wipes designed for getting wetted with liquid, liquid application systems, woundcare products and the like.