Lyocell fiber supply and demand have maintained a nearly 40% growth rate over the past two years, while nonwoven fabric output surpassed 9 million tons for the first time in 2025. These two figures reveal a fact underestimated by many: bio-based materials have evolved from laboratory concepts into a commercially dynamic track within the textile supply chain.
Structural Contradictions Behind Rapid Expansion
Behind the high-speed growth, the industry's foundation remains fragile. Jin Gaoling, vice president of the China Chemical Fibers Association, stated at a recent meeting in Changshu that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the industry must overcome the localization and large-scale preparation of key monomers such as high-purity lactic acid, lactide, and furandicarboxylic acid, while accelerating breakthroughs in large-capacity continuous polymerization and melt direct spinning technologies, and promoting domestic substitution of key equipment. This implies that current capacity expansion still partially relies on imported raw materials and equipment, leaving the supply chain vulnerable to international fluctuations.
Raw material diversification is equally urgent. Utilizing non-food biomass resources such as straw, corncobs, Juncao, and bamboo can alleviate ethical concerns of competing with food crops and reduce dependence on petroleum-based routes. Academician Cheng Bowen proposed building a full-chain research system covering mechanism tracing, technology breakthroughs, applications, and standards, directly addressing this shortfall. For buyers, the stability and traceability of raw material sources are becoming new key criteria when evaluating suppliers.
From Technical Feasibility to Market Viability: Standards and Scenarios Decide Success
Technical breakthroughs are only the first step; market landing is the real touchstone. Wang Huaping, a researcher at Donghua University, predicts that bio-based and biodegradable fibers will maintain high growth in the coming years, but the industry must push them from technical feasibility to market viability. Behind this lies a multi-dimensional game of cost, performance, and acceptance. Currently, bio-based fibers still lag behind traditional synthetics in strength and heat resistance, requiring continuous optimization through copolymerization, blending modification, and process control, as demonstrated by Yisheng New Materials' efforts to improve polylactic acid fiber performance.
More noteworthy is the lack of standards. Standards for bio-based content determination, biodegradable fiber evaluation, and carbon footprint accounting are still in their infancy, directly affecting product recognition in international green supply chains. Zhang Qian from the China National Textile and Apparel Council pointed out sharply that green development is no longer merely an environmental issue but a survival issue for market access. For foreign trade enterprises, this means that without full-chain carbon footprint data compliant with international rules, they may be excluded from high-end markets.
Diversifying Application Scenarios: From Medical Dressings to Functional Apparel
The application landscape of bio-based materials is expanding rapidly. Cui Meng from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology showcased explorations of PLA-based nanofibers in wearable self-powered sensors, smart wound dressings, and other areas, revealing huge potential in the medical health sector. In traditional textiles, Xinxiang Chemical Fiber's "Firstcell" ionic liquid method production line operates stably at thousand-ton scale, while Jiangsu Sanlian New Materials launched bio-based polyester filament products with multiple functions including cooling, achieving a value leap from green raw materials to functional fibers.
Notably, consumer perception of bio-based materials is shifting from an eco-label to integrated performance and sustainability. Sun Mingliang, founder of the COOL-FRESH brand, emphasized that fabric development must focus on consumer scenario emotions and composite functional needs through collaborative innovation. This means that simply playing the green card is no longer sufficient; products must compete head-on with traditional fabrics in appearance, hand feel, and functionality.