NATRACARE DOES NOT USE POLYACRYLATES BECAUSE:

90% of all superabsorbent materials are used in disposable articles, most of which end up in landfills or are incinerated creating a huge environmental problem made even worse by the petroleum plastics used in such products.

Conventional sanitary pads and liners, incontinence pads and baby diapers as well as several “natural” brands of sanitary pads and baby diapers, use polyacrylates to enhance the absorbency of their products.

Commercial production of superabsorbant polymers began in Japan in 1978 for use in sanitary pads.  In the 80’s, using crude oil derived raw materials, European manufacturers enhanced the polymer so that it now absorbed 30 times it’s own weight under pressure.  By the mid 90’s, production of SAP jumped to a massive 700 million tons.  75% used in diaper production, 10% in incontinence products, 10% in sanitary pads, and the rest in meat trays, etc.

The super absorbents are either scattered into a layer of fluff pulp or are embedded in a compressed airlaid that is composed of fluff pulp, late, acrylics binders and glue.

If you look at image above, you will see that the swollen gel holds the liquid in a solid, rubbery state, which prevents the liquid from leaking out.

As well as the environmental issues relating to these polyarylates, there have been studies that indicate that the vapors given off by the saturated SAP causes irritation to the skin and in the case of diapers, may also contribute to asthma.

For all the above reasons, Natracare does not use any polyacrylate super absorbents in any of its products.  Instead, we use a starch based material that is biodegradable and non allergenic.

Products containing polyacrylate super absorbents include:  Conventional sanitary pads, liners, inco pads and baby diapers and Flushaways sanitary pads.  Diapers marketed as natural containing polyacrylates include Moltex, Nature Baby and Seventh Generation.