In the process of agricultural modernization, various new materials continue to emerge, and ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabric is one of the outstanding ones. Perhaps many people are still unfamiliar with it, let’s take a closer look below.
The ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric has two key characteristics that can be seen from its name: one is used in the agricultural field, and the other is a wider width that exceeds conventional standards. It belongs to the non-woven fabric family. Non woven fabric, also known as non-woven fabric, is a type of fabric that does not require spinning or weaving. It breaks through traditional textile principles by orienting or randomly arranging textile short fibers or long fibers to form a web structure, which is then reinforced by mechanical, thermal bonding, or chemical methods. Simply put, it is not made up of interwoven or woven yarns, but rather fibers that are directly bonded together through physical methods. Therefore, when you receive a piece of non-woven fabric, you will find that you cannot pull out each thread end.
The production process of spunbond nonwoven fabric is even more unique. After the polymer has been extruded and stretched to form continuous filaments, the filaments are laid into a web, which is then self bonded, thermally bonded, chemically bonded, or mechanically reinforced to become nonwoven fabric. Specifically, first, polymer raw materials such as polypropylene are fed into an extruder and heated to reach a molten state, just like heating a solid plastic to melt it into a liquid. Next, the molten polymer is extruded from the spinneret under high pressure, forming extremely fine filaments that are similar to the silk threads we see in our daily lives, but much finer than ordinary silk threads. Then, the filament is stretched using high-speed airflow or mechanical stretching to make it more slender and uniform, thereby improving its strength and performance. The stretched filaments are evenly laid on a moving conveyor belt under the action of a web laying device, forming a thin layer of fiber web, which is like evenly laying many hair strands on a board. Finally, through methods such as hot pressing, needle punching, or chemical bonding, the fibers in the fiber web are bonded together to form a non-woven fabric with certain strength and stability.
As for “ultra wide”, the width of ordinary agricultural non-woven fabrics on the market may be around a few meters, while the width of ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabrics can reach 6 meters or even wider. This ultra wide design has many advantages in practical agricultural applications, which we will explore in detail in the future.
Unveiling the Performance of Ultra Wide Agricultural Spunbond Non woven Fabric
The reason why ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabric can stand out in the agricultural field is inseparable from its excellent performance. Next, we will delve into its performance advantages from the perspectives of physics, chemistry, breathability, and permeability.
（1） Excellent physical performance
Ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric has high strength and wear resistance. Its fiber structure is compact, allowing it to withstand high tensile forces without easily breaking. In agricultural production, whether it is a daily field operation, such as pulling during laying, or under severe weather conditions such as strong wind and rainstorm, it can be kept intact and will not be easily damaged. Just like in an orchard, when using it to cover the ground to prevent weed growth, even if workers frequently walk and move tools in the orchard, it can withstand these frictions and collisions, maintain good use for a long time, and reduce the trouble and cost of frequent replacement of covering materials. Moreover, after prolonged exposure to sunlight and rain, its physical properties remain stable and do not age or become brittle as quickly as some ordinary materials, demonstrating good durability.
（2） Unique chemical properties
In the process of agricultural production, various chemical agents such as pesticides and fertilizers are used, which requires agricultural materials to have certain resistance to chemical agents. Ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric is made of chemical inert substances such as polypropylene, which can effectively resist the erosion of these chemical agents and will not affect its strength and performance due to contact with chemical agents. For example, in the prevention and control of pests and diseases, various pesticides need to be sprayed. Ordinary fabrics may corrode and fade under the action of pesticides, while ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabrics can maintain stability and will not be damaged by chemical components in pesticides, ensuring their long-term effective use in agricultural chemical environments and the stability of crop growth environments.
（3） Good breathability and permeability
For the growth of crops, soil permeability and water permeability are crucial. Ultra wide agricultural pp nonwoven fabric has good breathability and permeability, allowing air to freely circulate between soil and the outside world, providing sufficient oxygen for crop roots, promoting root respiration, and promoting the growth and development of crop roots. At the same time, it can also allow water to pass through, and during rainfall, rainwater can smoothly penetrate into the soil, maintaining soil moisture; And during drought, it can also reduce the evaporation of soil moisture to a certain extent. Compared with plastic film, although plastic film can provide certain insulation and moisture retention, its poor breathability can easily lead to soil hypoxia and affect crop growth. However, ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric solves this problem well, creating a more suitable growth environment for crops.
Application examples of ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabric
（1） Application in crop cultivation
Ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric has a wide and excellent application in crop cultivation. Taking vegetable cultivation as an example, in early spring when the temperature is still low, covering the surface of the vegetable field with ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric is like putting a warm “protective suit” on the vegetables. For leafy vegetables such as bok choy and lettuce, the insulation effect of non-woven fabric can increase soil temperature by 2-4 ℃, creating suitable temperature conditions for seed germination and greatly improving the germination rate of seeds. According to relevant data statistics, after covering with non-woven fabric, the germination rate of Chinese cabbage seeds increased from 70% to over 85%. Moreover, during the growth stage of seedlings, non-woven fabric can effectively block the invasion of cold winds, reduce water evaporation, maintain stable soil moisture, enable seedlings to grow vigorously, enhance their stress resistance, reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, and significantly improve the yield and quality of vegetables. The market time can also be advanced by 3-5 days, which can win better market prices for vegetable farmers.
In terms of flower cultivation, the same effect is significant. For example, when cultivating rose seedlings, covering the seedling bed with ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric can not only maintain the temperature and humidity of the soil, provide a stable environment for rose seed germination, but also effectively prevent pests such as aphids and thrips from harming the seedlings. Due to the fine structure of non-woven fabric, it can prevent pests from entering and reduce the use of chemical pesticides. The cultivated rose seedlings are healthier and stronger, with greener leaves and more developed roots. The survival rate after transplantation is 15% -20% higher than that without non-woven fabric coverage. The cultivated rose flowers are larger and have brighter colors, making them more competitive in the flower market.
（2） Application in horticultural cultivation
In the field of horticultural cultivation, ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric also plays an important role. For potted plants, placing non-woven fabric at the bottom of the pot is like an intelligent ‘moisture regulator’. On the one hand, it can prevent soil particles from flowing out with water and maintain the integrity of soil structure; On the other hand, it can also facilitate the smooth discharge of excess water, avoiding the accumulation of water in flower pots and preventing root rot. At the same time, non-woven fabric can also play a certain role in nutrient retention, slowing down the rate of fertilizer loss and enabling fertilizers to provide nutrients to plants more sustainably. For example, when caring for succulent plants, they have special needs for water and fertilizer. After using non-woven fabric pads at the bottom of the flowerpot, the soil’s permeability and air permeability are optimized. The roots of succulent plants can better breathe and absorb nutrients, and their growth status is significantly improved. The leaves are fuller, the colors are more vivid, and there are fewer problems such as root rot.
In nurseries, ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric can be used to cover the ground. It can effectively inhibit the growth of weeds and reduce the competition between weeds and seedlings for water, nutrients, and sunlight. According to practical experience, nurseries covered with non-woven fabric have reduced weed growth by 70% -80% compared to uncovered areas, greatly reducing the workload and cost of manual weeding. In addition, non-woven fabric can also regulate soil temperature. During high temperatures in summer, it can block some direct sunlight, preventing the soil temperature from being too high and avoiding burning the roots of seedlings; In the cold winter, it can also play a certain insulation role, protecting the roots of seedlings from freezing damage. For example, in the nursery where osmanthus tree seedlings are cultivated, after covering with non-woven fabric, the growth condition of osmanthus seedlings is significantly better than in uncovered areas during high temperatures in summer, and the leaves do not show yellowing or drying due to high temperatures; In winter, the cold resistance of seedlings is enhanced, and the germination rate and growth rate in the following spring are significantly improved.
（3） Application in agricultural facilities
In greenhouses, ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric is a powerful assistant to improve insulation effect. Non woven fabrics are usually used as the second curtain of greenhouses. During the day, they are pulled apart to allow sunlight to fully penetrate the greenhouse, increasing the light exposure time of crops and promoting photosynthesis; At night, it is tightly closed, which can effectively prevent heat loss and increase the temperature inside the greenhouse by 3-5 ℃ at night. Taking the greenhouse where strawberries are grown as an example, using non-woven fabric as the second curtain insulation can maintain the temperature inside the greenhouse within a suitable range for strawberry growth even on cold winter nights. The growth cycle of strawberries is more stable, and the sweetness and taste of the fruit are significantly improved. The yield is also increased by 20% -30%, and the occurrence of pests and diseases caused by low temperature is reduced. The use of pesticides is also reduced, resulting in greener and healthier strawberries.
In terms of insect proof nets, ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabrics also have unique applications. Covering the ventilation openings, entrances, and exits of greenhouses with insect proof nets made of non-woven fabric can form a physical barrier, effectively preventing pests from flying in. Common pests such as whiteflies and aphids, which are relatively small in size, may not be completely blocked by ordinary insect nets, but the fine structure of non-woven fabric can keep these pests out. According to experiments, the use of non-woven insect nets in greenhouses reduces the invasion rate of pests by 50% -60% compared to ordinary insect nets, reduces the damage of pests to crops, lowers the frequency and dosage of pesticide use, ensures crop yield and quality, and reduces the harm of pesticide residues to the environment and human health, achieving green and sustainable agricultural production.
Market and development trend of ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabric
（1） Market situation
At present, the global spunbond nonwoven fabric market is showing a steady growth trend. In 2023, the global market size of spunbond nonwoven fabric reached 59.052 billion yuan, and China, as an important production and consumption country, has a market capacity of about 27.252 billion yuan, occupying a large share of the global market. In the field of ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabric, although its proportion in the entire spunbond nonwoven fabric market is relatively small, its growth rate is considerable.
Internationally, some well-known enterprises occupy an important position in the market of ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics. For example, Asahi Kasei in Japan, with its advanced technology and strong research and development capabilities, produces ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics with high quality and performance. Its products are not only widely used in Japan, but also exported to multiple countries and regions; DuPont in the United States is also a leader in the industry, known for its high-quality and high-performance products, and has numerous customers in the global agricultural sector.
The domestic market for ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics has also developed rapidly in recent years, with a number of excellent enterprises emerging. Like Ruiguang in Shandong, which focuses on the research and production of non-woven fabrics, its ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric products have a high reputation and market share in the domestic market. The products cover different specifications of weight and width, which can meet various agricultural production needs; There is also Sunshine Nonwoven from Jiangsu, which continuously introduces advanced equipment and technology to improve product quality and production efficiency. Its products have been widely used in domestic horticultural cultivation, crop planting, and other fields.
Currently, the market competition for ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics is fierce, with domestic and foreign enterprises engaging in comprehensive competition in technology, product quality, price, and service. International enterprises occupy a certain share in the high-end market by leveraging their technological and brand advantages; Domestic enterprises rely on cost advantages and understanding of the local market to have strong competitiveness in the mid to low end market. Some domestic enterprises are also continuously increasing their R&D investment and moving towards the high-end market, and the entire market is showing a vigorous development trend.
（2） Development Trends
In terms of technological innovation, ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics will develop towards material improvement and process optimization in the future. In terms of materials, R&D personnel are exploring the use of more biodegradable and environmentally friendly raw materials to reduce their impact on the environment. For example, using bio based materials instead of traditional petroleum based materials such as polypropylene, these bio based materials are derived from plant fibers, animal fibers, and microbial fibers, which can be naturally degraded and meet the current global requirements for environmental protection and sustainable development. In terms of technology, continuously optimize spinning and thermal bonding processes to improve production efficiency and product quality. For example, using more precise spinning techniques to make the fiber diameter more uniform, thereby improving the strength and stability of non-woven fabrics; By improving the thermal bonding process, energy consumption can be reduced and production costs can be lowered.
From the perspective of market demand, with the acceleration of global agricultural modernization, the demand for ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics will continue to grow. In developed countries, large-scale and intensive agricultural production models have a strong demand for efficient and durable agricultural materials. Ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics can meet the needs of large-scale farmland coverage, greenhouse construction, etc., and their market prospects are broad. In developing countries, with the continuous promotion of agricultural technology and the increasing demand for agricultural product quality from farmers, the application of ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics will gradually become popular. For example, in some African and Southeast Asian countries, agriculture is undergoing modernization transformation, and the demand for ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics in crop planting, horticultural cultivation, and other areas is increasing. It is expected that in the next few years, the global market size of ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics will grow at a rate of 5% -8% per year.
In the process of agricultural modernization, ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics have enormous development potential. It can help farmers improve production efficiency, reduce costs, increase agricultural product yield and quality, in line with the concept of sustainable agricultural development. Meanwhile, with the continuous expansion of its application fields, such as in ecological agriculture and intelligent agriculture, it will further promote the growth of market demand and become an indispensable material for agricultural modernization.
Suggestions for agricultural practitioners
For the vast number of agricultural practitioners, there are the following suggestions for reference when using ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabrics, in order to better leverage their advantages and achieve efficient and high-quality agricultural production.
Cost benefit considerations: When purchasing ultra wide agricultural spunbond nonwoven fabrics, we should not only focus on price, but also consider their quality and durability comprehensively. In the long run, high-quality non-woven fabrics may have slightly higher initial procurement costs, but due to their long service life and stable performance, they can reduce the cost of frequent material replacement and labor, resulting in higher overall cost-effectiveness. For example, when choosing non-woven fabrics for greenhouse insulation, if one chooses low-quality products for the sake of cheapness, problems such as damage and decreased insulation performance may occur after one quarter of use, requiring replacement. High quality non-woven fabrics, on the other hand, can be used for several years, with lower average annual costs. At the same time, by establishing long-term cooperative relationships with suppliers, we can strive for more favorable purchasing prices, or by purchasing outside of the peak season, we may also obtain certain price discounts.
Key points for product selection: Choose suitable specifications of ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric based on specific agricultural production needs and local climate conditions. Different crops have different requirements for environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light, so it is necessary to choose non-woven fabrics with corresponding breathable, permeable, and shading properties. For example, when planting shade loving crops in hot and rainy areas in the south, it is necessary to choose non-woven fabrics with good breathability and moderate shading rate. This can ensure that the crops have sufficient oxygen supply, avoid high temperatures caused by direct sunlight, and prevent excessive rainfall from causing damage to the crops; When planting drought tolerant crops in arid northern regions, non-woven fabrics with slightly stronger water retention can be chosen to help maintain a certain level of soil moisture. In addition, attention should be paid to the weight of non-woven fabrics. The larger the weight, the higher the strength and durability, but the price will also increase accordingly, which needs to be balanced according to actual needs.
Usage tips: When laying ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric, it is necessary to ensure that the laying is flat, avoid wrinkles and loopholes, and avoid affecting its effectiveness. Proper fixation and sealing should be carried out at the edges and interfaces, using specialized fixing nails or soil compaction methods to prevent non-woven fabrics from being blown away by wind or washed away by rainwater. For example, when covering vegetable fields, burying the edges of non-woven fabric 10-15 centimeters into the soil and compacting the soil can effectively prevent the edges from lifting. During use, it is necessary to regularly inspect the non-woven fabric to promptly detect and repair any damaged areas. If small damages are found, tape can be used for repair; If the damaged area is large, a new non-woven fabric needs to be replaced. At the same time, be careful to avoid placing sharp objects on non-woven fabric to prevent scratching it.
Conclusion
Ultra wide agricultural spunbond non-woven fabric has injected new vitality into the modernization of agriculture with its unique properties and wide applications. From crop cultivation to horticultural cultivation, and then to agricultural facility construction, it has demonstrated outstanding advantages in every aspect, not only improving agricultural production efficiency, increasing the yield and quality of agricultural products, but also making positive contributions to the development of ecological agriculture. With the continuous innovation of technology and the sustained growth of market demand, its development prospects are very broad. I hope that agricultural practitioners can actively recognize and adopt this new material, seize the opportunity of agricultural modernization development, jointly promote agriculture to new heights, and achieve sustainable and efficient development of 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.
Post time: Aug-08-2025