While the industry debates overcapacity in nonwovens, CINTE26 sent a clearer signal: the real bottleneck has shifted from 'whether equipment exists' to 'whether equipment can match high-end processes.' The 19th China International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition concluded at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, where carding technology upgrades were seen as a breakthrough for line efficiency.
Exhibition Trend: Carding Technology Becomes Competitive Focus
This edition brought together resources from the entire Asia-Pacific nonwovens chain, but the spotlight was not on new line counts. Instead, carding solutions for spunlace, air-through, and needle-punch processes drew the most attention. Jinlun Card Clothing launched comprehensive carding solutions targeting high-yield, high-speed, and high-quality production—exactly the three urgent demands of nonwoven manufacturers today. As the 'throat' of a nonwovens line, carding directly affects product uniformity and strength through the selection of clothing, gauge settings, and process parameters.
A notable shift: equipment makers no longer showcase standalone machines but explain products within specific process scenarios. This reflects a change in buyer logic from 'buying a machine' to 'buying a process package that solves pain points.' For mills, this reduces trial-and-error costs but raises the bar for suppliers' industry know-how.
Industry Impact: High-End Push Forces Supply Chain Collaboration
At the show, representatives from Andritz, Anhui Jinchun, Shandong Yongxin, Jiangsu Huafeng, and Huafu Group exchanged views with Jinlun—seemingly routine, yet revealing a deeper collaboration trend. These companies span equipment, nonwoven production, and end-use applications. Their discussions on product adaptation, process optimization, line efficiency, and technology iteration underscore that breakthroughs in isolated segments can no longer sustain overall upgrades.
Notably, Jinlun's innovative exhibits entered the special zone for the 15th Five-Year Plan in Hall W5. This detail reflects national policy guidance toward high-end nonwoven technologies. As consumables, card clothing's lifespan and stability directly affect line uptime. If technology iteration aligns with national planning, import substitution will accelerate. For buyers, this means evaluating suppliers' policy responsiveness and long-term technology roadmaps.
From a regional cluster perspective, the Yangtze River Delta's nonwovens industry has an urgent need for advanced carding technology. Local enterprises are transitioning from traditional hygiene materials to high-value segments like filtration and medical protection, which demand far higher carding uniformity. Suppliers offering customized carding solutions for such niches will gain competitive advantage in the next three to five years.
Practical Recommendations
For Buyers - When evaluating carding equipment, request process test data for your specific product (e.g., air-through nonwovens) rather than relying on general parameters. - Check if suppliers have technology reserves aligned with the 15th Five-Year Plan direction; prioritize those offering future process upgrades to reduce retrofit risks.
For Foreign Trade Companies - For exports to high-end European or American markets, verify carding stability metrics before shipment and keep process records to meet overseas traceability audits. - Consider joint R&D with leading carding technology firms to leverage their process experience as technical endorsement in product certifications, improving bid success rates.
In the coming years, the high-end transition of the nonwovens industry will not remain a slogan but will be realized in the millimeter-level tooth optimization of card clothing. Enterprises that complete process adaptation first will gain pricing power in the next round of capacity reshuffling.