The spunbond and meltblown nonwoven equipment sector is witnessing a notable recovery in orders. In H1 2026, Hongda Research Institute saw new contracts surge 148.7% year-on-year, with backlog orders up 86.4%. This growth far exceeds the industry average, reflecting both the effectiveness of individual corporate strategies and robust downstream demand for high-end equipment. As capacity expansion and technological upgrading proceed in parallel, the competitive logic among equipment suppliers is shifting from price to technological depth and service capability.
Market Structure Behind Order Surge
From a geographic perspective, Hongda's order growth is not driven by a single market. Internationally, projects in Turkey and Poland are progressing smoothly with on-site installation and service, earning high client recognition. Domestically, the Fujian project passed acceptance, Hebei deliveries made substantive progress, Zhejiang contracts became effective, and interest from new Jiangsu clients is warming. This multi-point blossoming indicates that demand for spunbond/meltblown equipment is global, with different regional growth drivers: European markets focus on equipment upgrades and capacity replacement, while the domestic market relies more on new capacity and product differentiation.
For buyers, the order surge may lead to extended lead times. With capacity constraints, a 86.4% increase in backlog implies tighter delivery schedules over the next 12-18 months. Companies planning expansions should lock in orders early and include clear delivery milestones and penalty clauses in contracts to mitigate scheduling risks.
Technological Breakthroughs and Industrial Upgrading
Behind the orders is accelerated monetization of technical reserves. The ionic liquid solvent bamboo fiber project, after three years of research, has fully entered the pilot engineering design phase, with 3D modeling and engineering design completed as scheduled, and construction drawings expected by Q3. If successfully industrialized, this technology could alter the production path of regenerated cellulose fibers, reducing environmental dependence on traditional viscose processes. Meanwhile, the self-developed wide-width PE/PP bicomponent spunbond line has successfully completed trial production and achieved commercial delivery, with product performance fully meeting standards, meaning domestic equipment is now competitive with international giants in high-end applications like hygiene materials and filtration.
Multiple breakthroughs in special fiber spinning processes further strengthen technical barriers. For downstream factories, equipment technology directly determines product differentiation and added value. Advanced spunbond or meltblown machines can produce finer denier, more uniform nonwovens, enabling entry into higher-margin segments like medical and high-performance filtration. Therefore, equipment procurement should not focus solely on price but also evaluate process windows, energy consumption, and automation levels.
Management Refinement and Industry Implications
Hongda also fully implemented and optimized SAP and BIP systems in H1, adding or revising 11 institutional rules, significantly enhancing risk prevention and refined management. This move is especially important during an order surge—rapid capacity expansion often brings management loopholes, and digital systems help improve delivery efficiency and cost control. For other industry players, this signals that internal management upgrades are crucial to maintaining competitiveness during market upcycles; otherwise, more orders could mean higher risks.
Additionally, the party-led pioneer posts and temporary party groups played roles in innovation platform construction and wide-width line development. While this is an internal organizational behavior, it highlights the importance of cross-departmental collaboration in major projects. Peers can learn how to focus organizational resources on key technical nodes to accelerate R&D-to-industry transformation.
Practical Recommendations
For Buyers - Monitor delivery cycles: In periods of high supplier order backlogs, prioritize vendors with clear production scheduling and include penalty clauses for late delivery in contracts. - Assess technical fit: Based on your product positioning, evaluate equipment parameters like width, speed, and basis weight range to ensure the machine can cover product upgrades over the next 3-5 years. - Request pilot support: For new technologies like bamboo fiber spinning, ask suppliers for pilot-phase data and samples to reduce mass-production risks.
For Exporters - Strengthen overseas service: Learn from leading companies by establishing localized installation and maintenance teams in target markets to enhance customer loyalty. - Pay attention to regional standards: Different markets have varying electrical and safety standards for nonwoven equipment; complete certifications before export to avoid post-delivery modifications. - Utilize supply chain finance: With rising backlogs, suppliers face increased capital pressure; consider negotiating installment payments or using letters of credit to ensure transaction security.
Overall, Hongda's H1 performance is a microcosm of the spunbond/meltblown equipment industry's prosperity. The dual drive of orders and technology is reshaping the competitive landscape. For upstream and downstream players, understanding this trend and planning ahead will be key to success in the next phase.