Buying questions
How long can nonwoven rolls be stored?
Most grades are stable for one to two years in dry, shaded storage. The failures are not age itself but humidity, UV and compression, and they show up as a change in properties rather than visible damage.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Factor | Effect | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity | Charge decay, blocking | Below 70 % RH |
| Sunlight | UV degradation, yellowing | Shaded, no direct sun |
| Compression | Flattening, loft loss | Stack height limited |
| Heat | Blocking on treated webs | Below 40 °C |
| Stacking on edge | Roll deformation | Horizontal, on pallets |
What actually changes first
Electret charge on meltblown decays, finishes migrate, and treated surfaces lose dyne level. All three are invisible on the roll and measurable only by test, which is why incoming inspection of a two year old roll should test performance rather than appearance.
Storage rules that matter
Horizontal on a pallet, no direct sun, ventilated, below 40 °C and 70 percent relative humidity, and never stacked against a wall where condensation forms. Rolls stored on end deform under their own weight and then run badly on a converting line.
Check the claim before it goes on the pack
Send the claim you want to make and the market it sells in. We reply with what the material can support and what it cannot.
Questions
Common questions
Does shelf life reset after converting?
No. The clock starts at production, and converting adds its own ageing through heat and tension.
How do I know a stored roll is still good?
Test the property that matters, not the look. For a mask that is BFE after ageing, for a wipe it is wet tensile.
Is there a standard shelf life?
Not a universal one. Ask the supplier to declare it for the grade and the storage condition.