Upgrading Carding Technology: Observations on the High-End Path of Nonwovens Industry

As the nonwovens industry shifts from scale expansion to quality and efficiency, the alignment between equipment and process becomes a critical determinant of competitiveness. Carding, a core step in nonwoven production, directly influences web uniformity and product stability through its technical precision. At this CINTE26 exhibition, signals from carding solution provider Jinlun Needle Cloth merit attention: the comprehensive carding solutions for spunlace, thermal bond, and needlepunch processes are not mere product additions but systematic responses to the logic of fiber opening, blending, and web formation under high-speed, high-output scenarios.

Industry Background

The 19th China International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens (CINTE26) was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. As a high-profile gathering in the Asia-Pacific nonwovens sector, the fair brought together resources from the entire chain, from raw materials and equipment to end products. A dedicated exhibition zone for the 15th Five-Year Plan placed policy orientation alongside industrial practice, highlighting a collective consensus on high-end and green transformation. Within this framework, the upgrade of carding technology is no longer an isolated corporate act but a microcosm of collaborative efficiency across the entire chain.

Technological Upgrade and Industrial Synergy

Jinlun's showcased solutions optimize card wire shape and arrangement for the three mainstream processes—spunlace, thermal bond, and needlepunch—to meet the 'three highs' of high yield, high speed, and high quality. This implies that for downstream enterprises aiming to increase output per unit width without expanding width, precise matching in the carding stage has become an unavoidable issue. On-site, technical personnel from leading companies such as Andritz, Anhui Jinchun, Shandong Yongxin, Jiangsu Huafeng, and Huafu Group visited for in-depth exchanges, focusing on product adaptation, process optimization, line efficiency, and technological iteration. Such cross-stage dialogues effectively pull equipment suppliers into the 'problem scene' of production lines, making R&D directions more responsive to real pain points.

Notably, Jinlun's innovative exhibits were placed in the W5 hall's special zone for the 15th Five-Year Plan, both recognizing the alignment of its technical route with national industrial guidance and suggesting that future policy resources and order flows may tilt toward such highly adaptable suppliers. For buyers, selecting carding equipment is no longer merely purchasing a spare part but choosing an upgrade path compatible with their own process routes.

Industry Impact and Trend Judgment

Information from the fair suggests that the high-end transformation of the nonwovens industry involves at least two dimensions: one is moving products toward high value-added fields like medical and filtration; the other is 'intensive cultivation' of production processes—unlocking potential in existing capacity through micro-innovation in equipment and optimization of process parameters. Jinlun's continued focus on the nonwoven segment, supported by technological innovation, precision manufacturing, and responsive service, essentially involves deepening the carding niche to establish irreplaceability across the entire chain.

This 'specialization and refinement' path offers a model for small and medium equipment manufacturers: rather than chasing broad integrated lines, it is more effective to build technical barriers in key processes. For downstream nonwoven fabric plants, carding solution upgrades mean lower energy consumption per ton and higher first-quality rates. For foreign trade enterprises, stable carding quality is a prerequisite for meeting international clients' stringent requirements on uniformity and consistency. The dense exchanges at the fair indicate that upstream and downstream players are moving from simple buyer-seller relationships toward deep binding through joint R&D and data sharing, which may become the norm for technological progress during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - When evaluating carding equipment, beyond initial purchase cost, focus on fiber damage rate under high-speed operation and card wire service life, incorporating comprehensive maintenance costs into the comparison model. - Bring actual fiber samples used in your own plant (e.g., polyester staple, viscose, cotton) for trial carding at the booth or test center to verify the compatibility of wire parameters with your raw materials.

For Foreign Trade Enterprises - Pay attention to whether the equipment supplier holds international certifications and has an overseas service network, ensuring rapid access to spare parts and technical support during fluctuations in export orders. - Leverage platforms like exhibitions to establish regular technical communication with carding solution providers, translating overseas clients' feedback on uniformity and batch consistency into specific parameter adjustments for equipment.