Absorbent Article Comprising A Synthetic Polymer Derived From A Renewable Resource And Methods Of Producing Said Article

Abstract

An absorbent article is disclosed having a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a synthetic superabsorbent polymer derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound, wherein said superabsorbent polymer exhibits a defined Saline Flow Conductivity value and Absorption Against Pressure value. Alternately, an absorbent article is disclosed having a synthetic polyolefin derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound. The synthetic polyolefin exhibits defined performance characteristics making the polyolefin particularly useful in certain components of the absorbent article. Methods for making the aforementioned absorbent articles are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making an absorbent article comprising:
 providing a first renewable resource that is a natural resource that can be replenished within a 100 year time frame;   deriving at least one first intermediate compound from the first renewable resource; wherein the first intermediate compound comprises a monomeric compound;   polymerizing the monomeric compound to form at least one synthetic polyolefin polymer that exhibits a  14 C/C ratio of about 1.0×10 −14  or greater and wherein the polymer is at least partially derived from the renewable resource;   deriving a film from the polymer;   incorporating the film into a backsheet of the absorbent article;   wherein the film is breathable and exhibits a Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate at least 2000 g/m 2 /hr and an MD tensile strength from about 0.5 N/cm to about 6 N/cm.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the film has a thickness of about 0.5 mil to about 2.0 mils. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymer exhibits a  14 C/C ratio of about 1.0×10 −13  or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the polymer exhibits a  14 C/C ratio of about 1.0×10 −12  or greater. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate is from about 2000 g/m 2 /hr to about 3000 g/m 2 /hr. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the film has a density of about 0.915 g/cm 3  to about 0.925 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating calcium carbonate to render the film porous. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating a nonwoven into the backsheet that is derived from a renewable resource that is a natural resource that can be replenished within a 100 year time frame. 
     
     
         9 . A package comprising one or more absorbent articles according to  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a communication of a related environmental message to a consumer.