When Lyocell fiber supply and demand maintained nearly 40% growth for two consecutive years and nonwoven output exceeded 9 million tons for the first time, bio-based fibers have ceased to be a lab concept. The 2026 Bio-based Chemical Fiber and Raw Material Industry Chain Collaborative Innovation Exchange Conference in Changshu, Jiangsu, signaled that this track is moving from 'technical feasibility' to 'market viability,' with bottlenecks shifting from single-point technology breakthroughs to full-chain coordination.
Structural Changes Behind the Data
Jin Gaoling, Vice President of the China Chemical Fiber Association, outlined that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's bio-based fibers achieved leapfrog growth. But more notable is the structural change behind the data: Lyocell's nearly 40% growth indicates a shift from cultivation to explosion; nonwoven output surpassing 9 million tons, dominated by disposable hygiene products, with wipes expanding rapidly, creates significant room for biodegradable raw materials.
What does this mean for buyers and factories? On one hand, Lyocell's scaling supply is reshaping procurement patterns for viscose and cotton; on the other, the urgent demand for biodegradable raw materials in nonwovens is pushing upstream fiber companies to accelerate industrialization. For fabric buyers, bio-based fibers have become a 'must-consider' option, directly impacting whether end brands can fulfill sustainability commitments.
Dual Drivers: Technology and Standards
Academician Cheng Bowen emphasized frontier technologies like cellulose swelling/dissolution and Lyocell spinning, as well as high-value applications in medical and hygiene materials. This reveals another dimension: bio-based fibers must not only replace synthetic fibers in conventional textiles but also open new high-value-added arenas. Wang Huaping from Donghua University predicted sustained high growth for bio-based and biodegradable fibers, with their share in the overall structure rising significantly, provided breakthroughs in 'integrated process-equipment design.'
Standardization is another key lever. Zhang Qian from the China National Textile and Apparel Council pointed out that green development is no longer just an environmental issue but a market access survival issue. Standards for bio-based content determination, biodegradable fiber evaluation, and carbon footprint accounting are being accelerated. Once implemented, these standards will directly affect international trade rules—whoever controls standards gains an advantage in the global green supply chain. For foreign trade enterprises, this is both a challenge and an opportunity: non-compliant capacity will be marginalized, while products with completed carbon footprint accounting will command a premium.
Corporate Practices: Multiple Paths from Raw Materials to End Use
Corporate presentations showcased diverse industrialization paths. Xinxiang Chemical Fiber's 'Shousai'er' thousand-ton line using ionic liquid method for green dissolution of cellulose has achieved stable operation, proving industrial feasibility. Easy New Materials optimizes PLA fiber strength through copolymerization and blending modifications, covering 3D printing and eco-fibers, indicating bio-based materials are extending toward differentiated functions. Jiangsu Sanlian New Materials launched a bio-based polyester filament product matrix with functions like cooling, upgrading from 'green raw materials' to 'functional fibers.'
The implication: competition in bio-based fibers has shifted from simple 'material substitution' to 'performance superiority.' Brands no longer settle for a 'green' label but require bio-based fabrics to simultaneously offer aesthetics, performance, and sustainability. As Sun Mingliang, founder of COOL-FRESH, stated, fabric R&D must focus on consumer scenario emotions and composite functional needs. This means fiber companies, fabric mills, and brands must form closer collaboration rather than traditional buyer-seller relationships.
Diversified Raw Materials and Equipment Localization: Next Battleground
The conference revealed that during the 15th Five-Year Plan, the industry will promote domestic production of key monomers like high-purity lactic acid, lactide, and furan dicarboxylic acid, accelerate breakthroughs in large-capacity continuous polymerization and melt direct spinning, and drive localization of key equipment. Simultaneously, it will fully utilize straw, corncobs, Juncao, and bamboo to achieve raw material diversification and build sustainable supply systems.
Raw material diversification is not just a cost issue but a supply chain security concern. Currently, bio-based fiber raw materials still heavily rely on food crops like corn; using non-grain sources avoids 'competing with food' and reduces price volatility. Equipment localization directly impacts capacity expansion feasibility and investment returns—imported equipment is costly and subject to delivery delays. For factories planning to enter this field, monitoring equipment localization progress is crucial for investment decisions.