Alginate in Medical Wound Dressings
topic
Wound dressing applications (80% of alginate fibre use): calcium alginate dressings for exuding wounds (absorbs 15-20× weight in fluid), hemostatic dressings (release Ca²⁺ ions promoting clotting), diabetic ulcer treatment, surgical wound management, and burn dressings. Forms: nonwoven pads, ribbons for cavity wounds, and composite dressings with adhesive borders. Market size >$500M annually.
Role
Alginate wound dressings represent major commercial success for regenerated fibres in medical textiles, leveraging biocompatibility, hemostatic properties, and controlled biodegradation for optimal wound healing.