Regions of a continuous web 1000 of pre-combined elastic and non-elastic layers are activated by machine directionally stretching by running the web through interdigitised corrugated surface structures 1234, 1236, 1244, 1246 oriented in the cross-machine direction. Further regions of the web are unactivated. A compensation tool, preferably in the form of an extension roll 1300, can have its surface speed oscillated and can be moved to increase or decrease the web feed path length to compensate for web length extension associated with the stretching of the regions of the web. The arrangement allows for the webs outfeed speed to be constant and higher than the webs constant infeed speed. The shift between activation and non-activation may be provided for by respective corrugated 1232 and smooth 1238 portions of a roll or by moving cooperating portions of the machine such that the web runs over the corrugations. The web material may be used to produce disposable hygiene articles such as baby diapers and adult incontinence products.
