System and process for preparing polylactic acid nonwoven fabrics

An apparatus for preparing a polylactic acid (PLA) spunbond nonwoven fabric, the apparatus comprising:

• a first PLA source configured to provide a stream of molten or semi-molten PLA resin;
• a spin beam in fluid communication with the first PLA source, the spin beam configured to extrude and draw a plurality of PLA continuous filaments;
• a collection surface disposed below an outlet of the spin beam onto which the PLA continuous filaments are deposited to form the PLA spunbond nonwoven fabric;
• a first ionization source positioned and arranged to expose the PLA continuous filaments to ions to neutralize static charges in the nonwoven fabric;
• and
• a calender positioned downstream of the first ionization source, and wherein the first ionization source, and any additional ionization sources are all positioned above the collection surface and downstream of a point at where the PLA continuous filaments are deposited on the collection surface, and wherein the first ionization source is positioned prior to a first roll.