Raw Materials

Attends products consist mainly of cellulose, polypropylene, polyethylene and superabsorbent polymers, though tape, elastics and adhesive are also used. Since production of the materials is one of the most important environmental factors, Attends actively work with our suppliers to reduce the environmental impact where possible. Stringent environmental assessment is made when selecting new suppliers and materials.

Pulp and Tissue
The main environmental impacts involved are the use of forestry and emissions during the manufacturing and bleaching of pulp. The pulp in Attends product are not bleached with elemental chlorine and contains no optical brighteners. The pulp we use has been obtained from trees growing in commercial forests of Scandinavia and North America. The trees are managed in accordance with the principles of sustainable forestry. The transportation packages are normally recyclable material.

Plastic sheet and fleece
Polyethylene (a plastic sheet) and polypropylene (a plastic fleece) are used in hygiene products as well as in a number of other products of daily consumption such as packaging, clothing, medical aids, etc. The top layer facing the skin consists of polypropylene, and the clothing protection on the bottom side of the incontinence diaper of polyethylene. The colourants used in the polyethylene are approved for use in cosmetics or food. Recycled plastics which would be suitable for use in incontinence products are not yet available.

Superabsorbent (SAP)
This material, a sodium polyacrylate, is able to bond many times its own weight of liquid by forming a gel which then holds in the liquid under pressure. Polyacrylate and related compounds have been manufactured since many years and are used in cosmetics, food and cleaning products, in water treatment and in agriculture. Twenty years of research have shown that the polyacrylate used in hygiene products is harmless and environmentally compatible.

Other Materials
Other materials we use in our products including:
• solvent free adhesives.
• Latex-free elastics
• color pigment in the ink is not based on heavy metals.