The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of polylactic acid-containing fibers that form a nonwoven web, wherein the web has a side which is provided with an alternating pattern of individualized bonded areas which bonded areas are in the form of rods which are arranged in the cross direction of the web, the alternating pattern of individualized bonded areas defines a non-bonded area, the web has a basis weight on the range of from 5-50 g/m 2 , the surface of the bonded areas is in the range of 5-20 % of the total surface of the side, and the surface of the non-bonded area is in the range of 80-95 % of the total surface of the side. The invention also relates to processes for forming the nonwoven fabric； an absorbent article comprising the nonwoven fabric； and the use of the nonwoven fabric in an absorbent article.
