100% bio-based, biodegradable, and cost-effective sanitary napkins through straightforward processes – Napkins

During all her life, the woman typically utilizes approximately 15,000 sanitary napkins throughout her lifetime. A significant proportion of these products incorporates materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), which exhibit slow degradation, requiring many years, decades, or even longer to decompose when disposed of in landfills. This accumulation of non-biodegradable waste poses a threat to aquatic life and releases harmful chemicals as the napkins degrade in water. Moreover, in numerous underdeveloped and developing nations, limited access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products can lead to detrimental health and social consequences for women and girls. An estimated 500 million women worldwide encounter challenges related to menstrual hygiene. There is an urgent need for biodegradable, cost-effective alternatives that can concurrently benefit human health and the environment.

The objective of the NAPKINS project is to demonstrate the proof of concept that 100% bio-based, biodegradable, and cost-effective sanitary napkins can be achieved through streamlined processes utilizing bio-based resources. The sanitary napkins are conceptualized as multilayered materials, comprising a top draining antimicrobial veil, an absorbent pad, and a waterproof veil. The project aspires to leverage the intrinsic properties of lignocellulosic fibers to engineer diverse structures, ultimately attaining specific and tailored properties. Special emphasis will be placed on the absorption of liquids. While previous studies conducted by the coordinator and colleagues have yielded promising results, liquid retention under load remains a formidable scientific and technical challenge, which the project aims to address