An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel. Means are also provided for applying a first and second web of casing material onto the peripheral surface of the first and second mat-forming wheel, respectively, for providing a third web of casing material into the nip between the first and second mat-forming wheel, for applying an adhesive coating on both sides of the third web, the mat-forming wheels being so positioned that the formed core elements on the respective first and second mat-forming wheels will abut the third web when passing the nip between the first and second mat-forming wheel, and for pressing together the portions of the three webs located outside the contour of the core element, containing the first and second core element, whereby the air-laid core elements will encapsulated in casing material. Also, a method for forming air-laid absorbent cores.
