making the web in an alternate embodiment the hydrophilic melt additives are blended with bicomponent fibers comprising a polypropylene sheath and a polypropylene core to form the wettable fiber matrix the bicomponent sheath core fiber proportions used in the invention may vary over a wide range with from 50 50 sheath core to 60 40 sheath core being exemplary essentially the melt additives are incorporated into the outer polypropylene sheath of the fibers use of bicomponent fibers having 60 40 sheath core permit higher incorporation of the melt additive into the sheath portion the wettable fibers may be then further combined with non wettable binder fibers to form the nonwoven web in all embodiments the durable hydrophilic web is manufactured by blending a concentrate of hydrophilic melt additives with the thermoplastic polymer and converting the polymer into multicomponent fibers and a nonwoven fabric directly or through an intermediate fiber formation process the chemistry and physical properties of the additives its compatibility with the thermoplastic resin as well as the process conditions and constructional features of the nonwoven separator are necessary to yield the desired performance the type of melt additive and proportion are important to the durable wettability of the nonwoven fabric in one.