Analysis of the current situation of agricultural nonwoven fabrics

In the process of modern agricultural development, various new materials continue to emerge and integrate into various aspects of agricultural production, providing strong support for the efficient and green development of agriculture. Agricultural non-woven fabric, as an important member, is gradually changing the traditional agricultural production mode with its unique performance advantages, and has been widely used worldwide. A deep understanding of the current situation of agricultural non-woven fabrics is of great significance for promoting the modernization of agriculture, improving agricultural production efficiency, and achieving sustainable agricultural development goals. ​

Global market size and growth trend

According to research and statistics from Hengzhou Chengsi, the global agricultural non-woven fabric market is expected to reach approximately 15.28 billion yuan in 2024, and is expected to maintain a steady growth trend in the future. By 2031, the market size will approach 19.87 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% over the next six years. This data fully demonstrates the broad development prospects and strong growth momentum of the agricultural non-woven fabric market on a global scale. With the continuous growth of the global population and the increasing demand for agricultural products, the demand for efficient and high-quality production materials in agricultural production is becoming increasingly urgent. Agricultural non-woven fabrics can precisely meet this demand, thereby promoting the continuous expansion of its market size. ​

Wide applicability in various fields

Crop protection: Non woven fabrics are used in agriculture to protect crops from adverse weather conditions, pests, and diseases. These fabrics provide a physical barrier while allowing air and water to pass through. For example, in some vegetable planting areas, using non-woven fabric coverage can effectively block the invasion of pests, reduce the use of pesticides, and also provide some insulation during low temperature seasons, creating a good environment for vegetable growth. In terms of fruit tree cultivation, non-woven fabric can also be used to wrap around tree trunks to prevent freezing damage caused by low temperatures in winter, while also resisting erosion from some pests and diseases. ​

Soil erosion control: Non woven fabrics can be used for soil stability and erosion control. They are used in applications such as geotextiles to prevent soil erosion, enhance water filtration, and provide structural support. In some mountainous or sloping agricultural areas, soil erosion is prone to occur due to terrain factors. Laying non-woven fabrics can effectively fix the soil, reduce the damage of rainwater erosion to the soil, maintain soil fertility, and promote crop growth. At the same time, the water permeability of non-woven fabric can ensure the normal infiltration of water in the soil, and will not affect the growth of crop roots due to waterlogging. ​
Coverage and weed control: Non woven fabric is used as a covering material to control weed growth, maintain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature. They help create a favorable environment for plant growth. Compared with traditional plastic film, non-woven fabric has better breathability and permeability, which can suppress weed growth without causing soil hypoxia or excessive water accumulation. In some flower planting bases, using non-woven fabric for coverage can not only reduce the competition between weeds and flowers for nutrients, but also maintain stable soil moisture, promote healthy growth of flowers, and improve the quality and yield of flowers. ​

Greenhouse application: Non woven fabrics can be used in greenhouse environments due to their characteristics of filtering, insulation, and resistance to external factors. They can help create optimal growth conditions for plants. In greenhouses, non-woven fabric can be used as a covering material to adjust the intensity of light, avoid damage to plants caused by strong light, and also serve as insulation to reduce energy consumption. In addition, non-woven fabric can also block external dust, pests, etc. from entering the greenhouse, maintaining a clean environment inside the greenhouse and promoting crop growth and development. ​

Product features and advantages

Breathability and permeability: According to specific requirements, agricultural non-woven fabrics can be designed with varying degrees of permeability. This allows for control of water retention and drainage in different agricultural applications. Good air permeability can ensure normal exchange between soil and external air, provide sufficient oxygen for crop roots, promote root respiration and growth and development. Appropriate permeability can ensure that soil moisture does not accumulate excessively, causing root rot, and can maintain a certain level of humidity during drought, providing a stable water supply for crop growth. For example, in hydroponic cultivation, non-woven fabric serves as a filling material for the substrate, and its breathable and permeable properties provide a good growth environment for crop roots, which can improve the crop’s ability to absorb nutrients and promote crop growth. ​

Lightweight and Durable: Non woven fabrics used in agriculture are typically lightweight and durable, providing a balance between ease of handling and long-term performance on site. The lightweight nature of non-woven fabric makes it more convenient to transport and lay, greatly reducing labor intensity and improving work efficiency. At the same time, its durability ensures that it can be used for a long time in various complex agricultural environments, is not easily damaged, reduces the frequency of material replacement, and lowers production costs. The advantage of non-woven fabric is particularly evident in large-scale agricultural coverage or greenhouse construction. ​

Customization for specific crops: Non woven fabrics can be customized for specific crops and growth conditions. Different crops may require varying degrees of protection, and non-woven fabrics can be tailored accordingly. For some crops that are sensitive to light, non-woven fabrics with specific filtering properties can be produced; For crops grown in cold regions, the insulation performance of non-woven fabrics can be enhanced. This customized feature can better meet the needs of different crops at different growth stages, improving crop yield and quality.​

Biodegradable option: According to sustainable development trends, some non-woven fabrics designed specifically for agriculture may be produced using biodegradable materials. This is consistent with a broader focus on environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Traditional plastic film is often difficult to degrade after use, causing long-term pollution to the soil environment, while biodegradable non-woven fabric can gradually decompose in the natural environment without leaving harmful substances, reducing the damage to the soil ecosystem. This is of great significance for achieving sustainable development in agriculture and meets the current global requirements for environmental protection. ​

Production and R&D dynamics

Production enterprises and global layout: The agricultural non-woven fabric market is global, with numerous companies specializing in non-woven fabric production, providing these materials to farmers, greenhouse operators, and agricultural enterprises around the world. These enterprises are distributed in different countries and regions, forming a global production and sales network. Some large non-woven fabric production enterprises have production bases in multiple countries to meet the demand for agricultural non-woven fabrics in local and surrounding areas. At the same time, there is fierce competition among enterprises, which compete for market share by continuously improving product quality, reducing production costs, optimizing services, and other means. ​

Continuous research and development investment: The focus of continuous research and development work is to improve the performance of non-woven fabrics in agriculture. This includes innovation in material composition, production processes, and the development of fabrics with advanced functionalities. For example, by improving production processes, the strength and durability of non-woven fabrics can be enhanced; By adding special functional materials, non-woven fabrics can have better insulation, moisture retention, pest and disease prevention properties. Some research institutions and enterprises jointly carry out research and development projects, dedicated to developing new non-woven materials, such as using nanotechnology to prepare nanofiber non-woven fabrics with special properties, or using green materials such as biopolymers to produce biodegradable non-woven fabrics. These research and development achievements will bring new growth points to the agricultural non-woven fabric market and promote the continuous development of the industry.

​ Characteristics of the Chinese market

Market size and growth potential: As a major agricultural country, China has a huge demand for agricultural nonwoven fabrics. Although the current proportion of China’s agricultural non-woven fabric market in the global market is relatively small, its growth rate is relatively fast. With the acceleration of China’s agricultural modernization process and the emphasis on green agriculture and sustainable agricultural development, the agricultural non-woven fabric market has broad growth potential. For example, in some areas with developed facility agriculture, the demand for non-woven fabrics is showing a rapid growth trend, and the amount of non-woven fabrics used for greenhouse covering, seedling cultivation, and other aspects is constantly increasing. ​

Competition between local enterprises and international brands: In the Chinese market, local enterprises coexist with internationally renowned brands, and the competition is relatively fierce. Local enterprises have certain cost advantages and familiarity with the local market, which can better meet the personalized needs of domestic customers. At the same time, local enterprises are constantly increasing their R&D investment, improving product quality and performance, and gradually narrowing the gap with international brands. International brands, with their advanced technology and rich experience, occupy a certain share in the high-end product market. Both sides have continuously improved their competitiveness and promoted the development and maturity of China’s agricultural non-woven fabric market. ​

Focus on application areas: In China, agricultural non-woven fabrics are widely used in crop coverage, seedling breeding, and other fields. In terms of crop coverage, it is mainly used for planting economic crops such as vegetables and fruits to improve crop yield and quality, and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. In the field of seedling breeding, non-woven fabric is used to make seedling containers, cover seedling beds, etc., providing a suitable growth environment for seedlings and improving their survival rate and growth speed. In addition, with the development of ecological agriculture in China, the application of non-woven fabrics in soil erosion control, ecological restoration and other fields has gradually attracted attention, and the market share is expected to further expand.​

Challenges and limitations faced

Cost factor: Although agricultural non-woven fabrics have many advantages, some high-performance and functional non woven fabric products have relatively high costs, which to some extent limits their widespread application in some cost sensitive agricultural fields. For some small-scale farmers or crops with low economic benefits, high material costs may affect their choices. Therefore, reducing production costs and improving product cost-effectiveness are important issues that the agricultural non-woven fabric industry needs to address. ​

Recycling issue: Although biodegradable non-woven fabrics are gradually being promoted, there are still a large number of non-woven products on the market that are difficult to recycle after use. If not handled properly, it may cause certain pollution to the environment. How to establish an effective recycling system, improve the recycling rate of non-woven fabrics, and achieve resource recycling is a challenge facing the industry. ​
The improvement of standards and specifications: Non woven fabrics used in agriculture must comply with relevant regulations and standards to ensure that they meet the safety and quality requirements of agricultural applications. However, the standards and regulations in the agricultural non-woven fabric industry are not yet perfect, and the quality of products produced by different enterprises varies greatly. This not only affects the healthy development of the market, but may also bring potential risks to agricultural production. Therefore, strengthening the formulation and improvement of industry standards and regulations, and enhancing market supervision are of great significance for ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural non-woven fabrics. ​

Conclusion

Agricultural non woven fabrics have occupied an important position in current global agricultural production, with their market size continuously expanding, application fields becoming increasingly widespread, product characteristics and advantages being significant, and production and research and development being continuously promoted. However, the industry also faces some challenges and limitations in its development process. In order to achieve sustainable development in the agricultural non-woven fabric industry, it is necessary for enterprises, research institutions, governments, and other parties to work together. Enterprises should increase research and development investment, reduce production costs, improve product quality and recycling rates; Research institutions should strengthen technological innovation and develop more high-performance and environmentally friendly non-woven fabric products; The government should improve relevant standards and regulations, strengthen market supervision, and create a favorable policy environment for the development of the industry. I believe that with the joint efforts of all parties, agricultural non-woven fabrics will play a more important role in the future modernization process of agriculture and make greater contributions to the development of global agriculture. ​

Dongguan Liansheng Non woven Technology Co., Ltd. was established in May 2020. It is a large-scale non-woven fabric production enterprise integrating research and development, production, and sales. It can produce various colors of PP spunbond non-woven fabrics with a width of less than 3.2 meters from 9 grams to 300 grams.