Choosing and Specifying Laminated Nonwoven Fabric
What laminated nonwoven fabric is
Laminated nonwoven fabric is PP spunbond fabric bonded to a film, which turns a breathable, porous fabric into a waterproof, high-barrier material. It is made by extruding a molten PE film onto the fabric (PE-coated), or by laminating a BOPP film with adhesive. The film gives waterproofing, strength, and a print surface, while the nonwoven keeps the soft feel and sewability. Common weights run from around 30 GSM for light medical grades up to 200 GSM and beyond for bag and packaging material.
PE vs BOPP lamination
The film decides what the fabric is for, so it is worth matching to the job:
| Lamination | What It Adds | Best For |
| PE-coated | Soft, full waterproof barrier | Medical, hygiene, protective, agriculture |
| BOPP film | Strength, gloss, full-color print | Laminated bags, premium packaging |
| Metallic BOPP | Reflective, decorative finish | Insulation, high-impact packaging |
Waterproof vs breathable
Standard laminated fabric is non-breathable, which gives the strongest moisture and fluid barrier, and that is what most packaging, mulch, and barrier applications want. For protective apparel and covers where comfort matters, a micro-porous breathable laminate keeps the waterproof barrier while letting air and water vapor through. Choose non-breathable for the strongest barrier, breathable where the fabric sits against skin or covers living plants.
How to spec the fabric
- The lamination: PE for a soft waterproof barrier, BOPP for strength and print.
- The base fabric weight and the film weight, set to the barrier and strength you need.
- Breathable or non-breathable, depending on the application.
- Color and finish, and any full-color print with Pantone references.
- Any treatment: anti-static, UV, anti-aging, or flame-retardant.
- Roll width and quantity for your line.
We make the spunbond base fabric and laminate it in-house, so the same line controls the fabric, the film, and the bond. That is why the fabric comes out waterproof and even across the roll and stays consistent from batch to batch, which is what a converter or packaging line needs to run it without surprises.