Non-woven is a process, not a product. Spunbond, spunlace and needle punch produce materials with the same GSM and completely different strength, softness and cost. Buying on GSM alone is how projects fail.
Three processes, three behaviours
| Process | How it bonds | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spunbond | Filaments extruded and thermally bonded | Strong, stiff, cheap | Bags, packaging, agriculture |
| Spunlace | Fine water jets entangle fibres | Soft, drapes, lint-free | Wipes, hygiene, medical |
| Needle punch | Barbed needles mechanically entangle | Thick, felt-like, high loft | Filtration, padding, automotive |
GSM is a starting point, not a specification
Two 80 gsm spunbonds can differ by 40% in tensile strength depending on polymer grade and bonding temperature. Specify tensile strength in N/5 cm alongside GSM, and state the direction (MD or CD) — cross-direction strength is usually the weak axis and the one that tears.
Where buyers get caught
- UV degradation — PP non-woven for outdoor use needs a UV stabiliser; without it, bags disintegrate within a season.
- Colour consistency — masterbatch colouring varies between lots; ask for a retained standard.
- Recycled content claims — “eco-friendly” is not a specification. Ask for the recycled percentage and whether it is certified.
Ordering
MOQ 1,000 m, sampling 5-7 days, production 12-20 days. Our non-woven range covers 30-200 gsm in PP, PET and PLA. For applications where the fabric is bonded to another material, see how we handle lamination on the OEM page.
Matching process to product
| Product | Process | GSM | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopping bag | Spunbond PP | 60-100 | Handle seam strength, not fabric strength |
| Packaging insert | Spunbond | 40-70 | Print registration on low GSM |
| Wipes | Spunlace | 40-80 | Lint and wet strength |
| Filter media | Needle punch | 100-300 | Air permeability consistency |
| Padding / insulation | Needle punch | 150-400 | Loft retention after compression |
How price is built up
Polymer grade, GSM and width account for most of the difference. UV stabiliser adds 3-6%; masterbatch colouring adds a setup charge per colour but no per-metre premium. If a quote is significantly below others for the same GSM, ask whether the polymer is virgin or reclaim — both are legitimate, but they are not interchangeable for load-bearing products.
Related guides
Tell us the process you need, not just the GSM. We will send samples of the matching construction.
Sample cut with your values on it · Neutral packing and private label · Consolidation, documents and lead times
