Progress in Biodegradable Nonwoven Materials for Personal Protective Applications

ABSTRACT

Personal protective equipment generates large waste streams, underscoring the need for materials that deliver protection without persistent environmental costs. This study reviews biodegradable nonwoven options and relates material choice and disposal routes to barrier performance, comfort, and footprint. To frame the problem, market signals are summarized to show where high‐volume items drive impacts. Building on that basis, comparative results are synthesized to indicate when biodegradable webs match the filtration and breathability of petroleum‐based analogs and where charge stability, humidity tolerance, and sterilization remain limited. To connect performance with fate, the mechanisms of biodegradation are outlined, enabling test selection and data interpretation to be guided by temperature, moisture, oxygen, and microbial activity. Consistent with that goal, standardized methods for controlled composting and related matrices are reviewed to support credible claims and residue safety. Manufacturing considerations are then discussed because fiber diameter control, charge retention, and process stability govern reproducibility at scale. Application evidence is integrated to link instrument data with wearer comfort and reliability in use. Life‐cycle assessment shows that benefits occur only when products reach suitable collection and treatment systems. Taken together, the review identifies clear priorities, including moisture‐tolerant filtration media, non‐leaching antimicrobial approaches, transparent labeling tied to disposal guidance, and procurement that rewards verified, lower‐footprint products.