Nonwoven Tech Crossover: How Food Absorbent Pads Become a New Growth Point for Textiles

An order from Italy's specialized absorbent material producer signals that nonwoven textile technology is pushing beyond personal care into food preservation.

Background

Magic SpA has commissioned Andritz to supply a new eXcelle food pad production line using airlaid technology. Commissioning is scheduled for Q1 2027, targeting absorbent pads for food trays, medical devices, and hygiene products. Magic SpA is a European specialist covering food, medical, and hygiene absorbent materials.

The eXcelle line features high-capacity modular design, allowing flexible switching between different basis weights and fiber formulations. Airlaid technology, originally widely used in baby diapers and feminine hygiene core manufacturing, is now entering food-contact materials. This implies that nonwovens have passed stricter food-grade certification thresholds in terms of hygiene safety, liquid absorption rate, and retention capacity.

Industry Impact

This order reflects two trends. First, food absorbent pads are transitioning from an 'optional accessory' to a 'standard feature'. Consumption upgrades in cold-chain fresh food, ready-to-eat meal boxes, and meat packaging are driving retail demand for leak-proof, moisture-control, and antimicrobial functions. According to publicly available industry data, the global food absorbent pad market was valued at approximately $3.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to exceed $4.5 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.2%.

Second, nonwoven textile companies must reassess their technology stacks. Traditionally, airlaid equipment served mainly hygiene product manufacturers, but gross margins in the food segment are typically 3-5 percentage points higher than in hygiene, with stronger customer stickiness. For Chinese textile firms with similar process lines, early investment in food-contact material compliance certification could allow them to escape homogeneous hygiene OEM competition and enter a faster-growing, more profitable niche.

Moreover, the Andritz-Magic SpA collaboration hints at a strategic shift among equipment suppliers. European nonwoven machinery giants have increased R&D investment in sustainable materials in recent years. The eXcelle line's compatibility with biodegradable fibers is an example. This means future orders will increasingly require raw materials like PLA, Lyocell, or recycled polyester, forcing upstream fiber producers to adjust their product mix.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Focus on food-grade certification configurations for airlaid equipment: choose lines with online cleanliness detection and metal removal modules to reduce compliance risks. - Lock in biodegradable fiber suppliers early: environmental pressure on food pads is rising, and the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP) has already included certain food packaging. - Evaluate production line flexibility: a line capable of switching between hygiene substrate and food pad production typically delivers a 15%-20% shorter payback period than a dedicated line.

For Export Businesses - Target European food packaging manufacturers: Magic SpA's expansion indicates robust regional demand; proactively approach its tier-2 suppliers or auxiliary material partners. - Apply for BRC Food Packaging Standard certification: this is a prerequisite for entering major European supermarket supply chains. Currently, fewer than 20 nonwoven companies in China hold this certification, offering a clear first-mover advantage. - Monitor equipment lists of Andritz, Trützschler, and other machinery suppliers: their customers' expansion plans often signal new procurement windows; establishing contact six months in advance helps secure orders.