Ahlstrom - Nonwoven Medical Fabrics for Single-Use Surgical Drapes, Gowns, Face Masks and Sterile Barrier Systems

Ahlstrom is the leading manufacturer of roll good nonwovens for medical products, based on natural and synthetic fibers.

In the healthcare industry where quality and performance are critical, Ahlstrom provides a versatile range of products for your single use (disposable) nonwoven fabric needs.

Surgical drapes

A broad range of products for the surgical drape market using film-based composites and nonwovens such as SMS, spunlace and wetlaid is available.

• Viral and fluid protection fabrics

Ahlstrom offers single-use medical fabrics for drapes with a range of barrier protection. All medical fabrics meet the AMMI PB 70 and EN 13795 requirements.

• Linting

Virtually lint free, Ahlstrom’s medical fabrics are designed for use in the operating rooms / theaters where the most demanding procedures are performed.

Ahlstrom fabrics allow the surgical drape to conform to the patient.

Ahlstrom nonwoven medical fabrics are also fully compatible with all sterilization methods used in industry, healthcare facilities and wherever medical devices are sterilized.

Surgical gowns

Ahlstrom offers a range of products for the surgical gown and apparel markets using SMS, spunmelt composites such as breathable viral barrier (BVB) and other film-based composites.

• Gown comfort

Breathable fabrics help to minimize bodily discomfort. Ahlstrom nonwoven medical fabrics are made to ensure thermo-physiological comfort, provide strength characteristics and drapeability, and give healthcare providers the optimum combination of protection and comfort.

• Breathable viral barrier (BVB) fabric

Ahlstrom's Breathable Viral Barrier (BVB) fabric currently provides the greatest viral barrier protection available on the market today. BVB fabric passes ASTM F1671 (resistance to viral penetration) and EN 13795 high performance, critical area, the highest standard for protection.

Surgical face masks

Ahlstrom offers a range of facemask inner and outer cover stocks that are lightweight and highly breathable, such as wetlaid and spunmelt.

Recognised as the best products on the market, Ahlstrom's wetlaid fabrics are extremely gentle and will not irritate the skin. Even when worn for long periods of time, the fabrics leave the skin feeling clean and dry.

The materials can be used with thermal-bonding and / or ultrasonic assembly techniques and are easy to process. Our medical fabrics are suitable for printing - enabling customization of the finished facemask.

Sterile barrier systems

Ahlstrom advanced sterile barrier systems are designed to accommodate a wide variety of medical devices ranging in size and weight. Our products maintain optimal integrity during all phases of gamma radiation, steam sterilization – pre-vacuum, air removal, steam penetration holding time and drying cycle – and are fully permeable to ethylene oxide (EtO) without impeding aeration.

Our range of fabrics comprises the most economic crepe paper to the most stringent wetlaid nonwovens and spunmelt composites (SMS) products. Ahlstrom sterile barrier systems are soft, virtually lint-free and have a proven bacterial barrier. Uniformity is a key advantage, enabling immediate detection of pinholes.