As nonwovens capacity continues to expand while the share of high-end products lags behind, the industry is caught in a tug-of-war between scale and quality. As the 'throat' of nonwovens production lines, the carding process directly determines web uniformity and final product grade. At the recently concluded 19th China International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens (CINTE26), the competition around carding solutions revealed key signals for industrial upgrading.
Exhibition Trends: From 'Having Equipment' to 'Optimized Solutions'
CINTE26 was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. As an important event for the nonwovens sector in the Asia-Pacific region, its exhibits often indicate technology directions for the next two to three years. Unlike previous editions that focused on single-machine speed, exhibitors this year emphasized holistic carding solutions tailored to different process routes such as spunlace, air-through bonding, and needle punching. This shift implies that downstream users no longer just purchase a machine; they seek a complete process logic aligned with their product positioning.
At the venue, carding accessory companies like Jinlun Card Clothing showcased comprehensive carding solutions for high-yield, high-speed, and high-quality nonwovens production, directly addressing the pain point of balancing efficiency with quality. Notably, representatives from industry chain leaders such as Andritz, Anhui Jinchun, Shandong Yongxin, and Jiangsu Huafeng engaged in in-depth exchanges at the booth, focusing on product adaptation, process optimization, and production line efficiency. Such cross-stage dialogues are shortening the cycle from laboratory to workshop.
Dual Drivers: Policy and Market
A highlight of this exhibition was the innovative exhibits featured in the '15th Five-Year Plan' special zone for technical textiles in Hall W5. This arrangement is not merely a display of achievements but signals a clear policy direction guiding the nonwovens industry toward high-end and intelligent development. As a critical consumable, carding accessories' performance stability and service life directly impact the continuity and cost control of high-end nonwovens production.
From an industrial cluster perspective, the Yangtze River Delta region hosts numerous nonwovens and equipment manufacturers. The intensive technical exchanges during the fair are accelerating the collaborative upgrading of regional supply chains. For buyers, the selection of carding accessories is no longer just a price comparison; it must consider compatibility with their line speed and fiber raw materials. An optimized carding solution could mean higher output efficiency at the same energy consumption or a reduction in defect rates by several percentage points.