Various composites were prepared by impregnation of cellulose fibre nonwovens (CFNs) with poly(vinyl alcohol) using two methods. The composites obtained contained up to 0.4 volume fraction of polymer, and the volume fraction of voids was not less than 0.3. Scanning electron microscope images show no great changes in CFN frame structure compared to untreated CFN. Air and water vapour permeability decreases with growth ofthe volume fraction of polymer as a result of filling ofthe voids and formation of closed voids. As determined by sorption characteristics, the composite and its base absorb water vapour differently from CFNs. Biodegradation of samples in soil was inspected. Test data show a faster degradation for samples with a small polymer amount, where less than 10% of initial weight is left after two weeks exposure in soil.