What is Zorb? The Complete Guide to Super-Absorbent Fabrics

What Zorb Is and What Problem It Solves

Zorb is AKAS Tex's family of super-absorbent fabrics engineered for liquid containment and moisture management in reusable products. Unlike ordinary absorbent materials such as cotton, flannel, or terry that rely on natural fiber density to soak up liquid, Zorb fabrics use engineered fiber geometry and proprietary knit construction to capture, distribute, and retain liquid with far greater speed and capacity in a fraction of the thickness.

Key Concept: Zorb achieves its absorption through permanent engineered fiber structure—not chemical treatments or super absorbent polymers. Performance is built into the fabric and does not wash out or degrade over time.

Zorb fabrics can absorb up to 10 times their weight in under 2 seconds, performing 20 times faster than conventional bamboo, cotton, or hemp knits. Two layers of Zorb replace the equivalent of eight or more layers of flannel—delivering equal or greater capacity with significantly less bulk. Manufactured in the USA and free from harmful chemicals, the Zorb family spans multiple generations, fiber compositions, weight classes, and specialty lines to address absorption needs from lightweight panty liners to heavyweight overnight diaper inserts.

The Zorb Product Landscape

Zorb fabrics are organized into four generations, each expanding on previous performance and usability. Within these generations, multiple surface styles, fiber families, and weight classes allow you to match the fabric precisely to your project.

Zorb Generations

• Zorb Original (1st Generation): A non-woven interlining that must be sandwiched between two other fabrics before washing. Thin, economical, and dimensionally stable—does not shrink or stretch. Best suited as a hidden absorbent core in multi-layer constructions.
• Zorb 2D (2nd Generation): Discontinued. Previously offered Dimple and Diamond constructions with bamboo and organic cotton surfaces.
• Zorb 3D (3rd Generation): Standalone fabric family featuring durable knitted surfaces on both sides enclosing Zorb 3D fibers. Does not require sandwiching between other fabrics. Available in five surface styles across multiple weight classes.
• Zorb 4D (4th Generation): All-in-one fabric combining a Zorb 3D absorbent core with an embedded polyurethane waterproof film and backing layer. Delivers both absorption and leak protection in a single fabric, eliminating the need for separate waterproof layers.

Select 4D styles include Heavy Duty weight options. For details on choosing between 4D all-in-one and 3D multi-layer approaches, see Zorb 4D vs Zorb 3D + ProSoft PUL: All-in-One vs Multi-Layer Systems.

Weight Classes

Zorb 3D and Microfiber families are available in multiple weight classes to match different absorption capacity needs: LITE, Semi-LITE, Standard, Heavy Duty, and Ultra Heavy Duty. Not every weight is available in every surface style. For guidance on selecting the right weight for your project, see Zorb Weight Classes: LITE vs Standard vs Heavy Duty.

Specialty Lines

Zorb offers several specialty variants across its product families:

• Silver Plus®: Antimicrobial silver treatment for odor control and hygiene in extended-wear applications
• FoodSAFE®: Food-contact certified versions for kitchen and food service use
• REPREVE®: Constructions incorporating recycled polyester fibers for enhanced sustainability
• Print: Select 3D styles available with printed surface patterns

Key Technologies Powering Zorb

Zorb fabrics rely on four proprietary technologies developed by AKAS Tex, each addressing a specific aspect of liquid management. These technologies are engineered into the fabric structure during manufacturing—permanent performance that cannot wash out.

• Hydro-Dual Fiber Technology enables rapid liquid capture, even moisture distribution, and surface dryness simultaneously—the foundation of Zorb's absorption performance across all fabric families. For the full technical explanation, see Hydro-Dual Fiber Technology.
• Zorb 3D Fiber Matrix Technology delivers under-2-second liquid capture with 10x weight capacity that maintains performance even under compression, lasting through hundreds of wash cycles. For the full technical explanation, see Zorb 3D Fiber Matrix Technology.
• Ready-AbZORB Technology eliminates the need for pre-washing by removing absorbency-inhibiting agents during manufacturing, providing full performance from first use with reduced shrinkage. For the full technical explanation, see Ready-AbZORB Technology.
• Zorb 4D SilentFlex Technology integrates absorption and waterproof barrier protection into a single five-layer laminate, maintaining softer hand-feel and quieter operation than traditional waterproof fabrics. For the full technical explanation, see Zorb 4D SilentFlex Technology.

How to Choose: Navigating Zorb Options

Selecting the right Zorb fabric involves three decisions: which generation or family, which weight class, and whether to use an all-in-one or multi-layer construction approach.

Choosing your Zorb family: If you need a hidden absorbent core at the lowest cost, start with Zorb Original. If you want a standalone absorbent fabric with surface options for skin contact, explore Zorb 3D. If you need absorption and waterproofing combined in one fabric, consider Zorb 4D. If your project involves cleaning, toweling, or industrial absorption, look at Zorb Microfiber. For a detailed family comparison, see Zorb Families Compared: Original vs 3D vs 4D vs Microfiber.

Choosing your weight class: Lighter weights suit thin, discreet products and supplemental layers. Heavier weights provide maximum absorption capacity for overnight and heavy-use applications. For guidance on selecting the right weight for your project, see Zorb Weight Classes: LITE vs Standard vs Heavy Duty.

Choosing your construction approach: Zorb 4D provides an all-in-one solution with integrated waterproofing. Alternatively, pairing Zorb 3D with a separate ProSoft PUL waterproof layer gives you independent control over each component. For a detailed comparison of these approaches, see Zorb 4D vs Zorb 3D + ProSoft PUL: All-in-One vs Multi-Layer Systems.

Common Applications for Zorb Fabrics

Zorb fabrics serve a wide range of reusable product categories where liquid absorption is the primary fabric function. The most common applications include:

• Baby and child care: Cloth diaper inserts and cores, burp cloths, bibs, nursing pads, changing pads, crib protectors
• Menstrual and incontinence care: Reusable menstrual pads, period underwear cores, adult incontinence products, postpartum pads
• Pet care: Training pads, cage liners, pet diapers, belly bands, pet bedding
• Household and cleaning: Unpaper towels, dish mats, cleaning pads, mop covers
• Athletic and performance: Sweatbands, cooling towels, moisture management inserts, yoga towels
• Medical and healthcare: Underpads, wound care layers, protective textiles
• Food service: Chef jacket liners, aprons, bar towels (FoodSAFE® variants)

For fabric recommendations tailored to a specific product you are making, see the Application Discovery articles for your product category.

Certifications and Safety Standards

Zorb fabrics across all generations carry multiple safety certifications and chemical-free verifications, tested and documented at the fabric level.

For detailed explanations of what each certification requires, why Wazoodle participates in certain standards and not others, and how to download certification documents, see Certifications, Chemical Safety & Compliance Standards.

Where Zorb Fits in the Wazoodle Ecosystem

Zorb is one of several specialized fabric brands in the Wazoodle ecosystem, each engineered for a distinct primary function. Choosing the right brand starts with identifying what your fabric needs to do.

For waterproofing options, see What is ProSoft? The Complete Guide to Waterproof PUL Fabrics.
For moisture wicking and performance fabrics, see What is ProCool? The Complete Guide to Performance Wicking Fabrics.