The demand for absorbent materials in food packaging is shifting from 'usable' to 'high-performance and biodegradable.' Italy-based absorbent material specialist Magic SpA has ordered a new eXcelle food pad production line from Andritz, featuring airlaid technology, with commissioning scheduled for Q1 2027. This order is not merely an equipment purchase but a reflection of the technological upgrade trajectory in downstream industrial textiles.
Technology and Industry Context
The core process of this line is airlaid technology, which uniformly deposits fibers via an air stream before bonding them into a web. This method is particularly suited for producing high-loft, highly absorbent, and structurally uniform thin materials. Magic SpA's product range covers food pads, medical dressings, personal care, and hygiene products, each demanding strict performance in liquid spread rate, retention capacity, and structural integrity.
From an industry perspective, food pads are commonly placed under fresh meat, seafood, fruits, and vegetables to absorb exuded juices, extending shelf life and improving presentation. Traditional products often use a composite of fluff pulp and SAP (super absorbent polymer), but face scrutiny over biodegradability. Airlaid technology allows the incorporation of natural or biodegradable fibers, maintaining absorbency while reducing environmental impact—a key strategic consideration for Magic SpA.
Impact on Equipment and Fiber Supply Chains
Andritz's eXcelle line belongs to its high-end nonwovens equipment portfolio. This order signals that technology barriers in food-grade nonwovens are rising. For domestic textile machinery makers, this is a wake-up call: the penetration of airlaid equipment in food packaging is likely to increase significantly post-2027, and early investment in related technology could yield first-mover advantages.
On the fiber side, airlaid processes impose specific requirements on fiber length, fineness, and crimp. As such lines multiply, demand for biodegradable fibers like lyocell, modal, cotton linters, and PLA will grow structurally. In Europe, food contact material regulations (e.g., EU 10/2011) set stringent limits on migratory substances and biodegradability, pushing fiber suppliers to develop specialized grades.
Downstream Procurement and Market Dynamics
Magic SpA's capacity expansion targets the European food packaging market post-2027. By then, full implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive will accelerate substitution of traditional plastic liners. As a standard component in supermarket fresh-packaging, material upgrades in food pads will directly influence procurement standards of retailers and brand owners.
For Chinese food pad manufacturers and exporters, this trend implies:
- Airlaid or spunlace composite structures may become a market access requirement for Europe;
- Certification hurdles will rise, necessitating early acquisition of biodegradable labels (e.g., OK Compost, DIN CERTCO);
- Cost structures will shift—high-performance biodegradable fibers may cost more initially, but the gap will narrow with scale.