The order curve for spunmelt nonwoven equipment is rising far steeper than the industry average. In H1 2026, Hongda Institute saw new contracts surge 148.7% year-on-year, with backlog orders up 86.4%. These figures are not isolated corporate updates but a turning signal that, amid the global capacity expansion cycle, domestic complete equipment is moving from 'substitute' to 'first choice'.
Demand Logic Behind the Order Surge
The doubling of orders stems first from structural downstream expansion. Spunmelt nonwoven fabrics are broadening applications in hygiene, filtration, and medical protection, especially high-end bicomponent products requiring precision and stability, forcing end users to accelerate replacement of old lines. Hongda's order book includes overseas installation and service projects in Turkey and Poland, substantive deliveries in Fujian and Hebei, contract activation in Zhejiang, and rising intent from new customers in Jiangsu. Such multi-point blooming suggests demand is not dependent on a single market but a synchronized global capacity renewal cycle.
For buyers, the order surge implies longer lead times. With capacity of leading suppliers finite, the 86.4% backlog growth means new orders will wait longer. This reminds downstream enterprises to lock contracts early rather than start procurement at the last minute.
Technical Reserves: From Lab to Commercial Delivery
The other wing of order growth is accelerated tech commercialization. After three years of development, the ionic liquid solvent bamboo fiber project has entered pilot engineering design, with 3D modeling and engineering design completed on schedule, and construction drawings planned by Q3. If successful, it will change the raw material route of regenerated cellulose fibers—bamboo pulp replacing wood pulp, mitigating supply risks and providing a new 'sustainability' narrative for fabrics.
More noteworthy is the commercial delivery of the wide-width PE/PP bicomponent spunbond line. Bicomponent fibers with sheath-core structure significantly enhance softness and strength; previously high-end market was monopolized by European equipment. Now domestic lines have passed trial production and delivered, enabling downstream factories to obtain performance close to imported machines at lower investment—especially attractive to mid-sized hygiene material enterprises with thin margins.
Of course, tech breakthroughs do not equal immediate market adoption. The scale-up of ionic liquid bamboo fiber still carries engineering risks; long-term stability of bicomponent lines needs more customer validation. Observers should view these as 'reduced viability doubts' rather than 'complete substitution'.
Industry Impact: Rising Concentration and Overseas Space for Domestic Equipment
Hongda's order structure mirrors increasing concentration in spunmelt equipment toward leaders. Smaller suppliers lag in R&D and overseas service networks, while leaders build reputation in emerging markets like Turkey and Poland through full-process solutions and responsive technical service. This 'service export' model locks long-term customer relationships better than selling equipment alone, laying groundwork for spare parts and retrofit orders.
For domestic nonwoven factories, higher localization of equipment directly lowers per-ton investment costs, affecting pricing room of end products. Manufacturers previously reliant on imports now have more cost-effective options for expansion, possibly accelerating consolidation of low-end capacity—new lines with cost advantages will squeeze old ones, and average industry operating rates may reshuffle.