Introduction to Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric
The Rise of Nonwoven Fabrics in Modern Industry
In today’s fast-paced world, the textile industry is undergoing a major transformation. Increasing demand for sustainable materials, efficiency in manufacturing, and high-performance fabrics has driven innovation beyond traditional woven and knitted textiles. Nonwoven fabrics have emerged as a powerful alternative, offering versatility, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly advantages.
Among the many types of nonwoven materials, spunlace nonwoven fabric—also known as hydroentangled nonwoven—has taken center stage. It is now widely used in healthcare, personal care, household cleaning, agriculture, automotive, and packaging due to its unique balance of softness, strength, and biodegradability. Understanding what spunlace is, how it is made, and why it stands apart from other textiles provides valuable insight into the future of sustainable fabric solutions.
What is Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric?
Spunlace nonwoven fabric is a type of textile created not by weaving or knitting yarns, but by directly bonding loose fibers through high-pressure water jets. The process is called hydroentanglement, in which streams of water entangle fibers, forming a cohesive web with high strength and uniformity.
Unlike traditional fabrics, spunlace does not require chemical adhesives, resins, or binders. Instead, it relies on the natural integrity of fibers combined with water pressure, producing a material that is:
Soft and skin-friendly – suitable for wipes, masks, and clothing that come into direct contact with the skin.
Durable and tear-resistant – able to withstand repeated use without losing strength.
Highly absorbent – capable of locking in water, oil, or other liquids, making it ideal for wipes and medical applications.
Eco-friendly – when made from natural fibers, it is biodegradable and has a lower environmental impact.
These qualities make spunlace one of the most versatile and sustainable nonwoven fabrics available today.
A Brief History of Spunlace Technology
The nonwoven industry gained momentum in the mid-20th century as an answer to the limitations of traditional textiles. By the 1970s, spunlace technology emerged as an innovation combining textile-like softness with the efficiency of nonwoven manufacturing.
Initially, spunlace fabrics were primarily used for medical applications and wipes. However, with technological advancements in fiber processing, hydroentanglement machinery, and sustainability initiatives, their applications have expanded into household, industrial, automotive, personal care, and agricultural sectors. Today, spunlace is one of the fastest-growing categories within nonwoven fabrics worldwide.
The Hydroentanglement Process: How Spunlace is Made
The manufacturing of spunlace fabric is a fascinating process that blends fiber science, fluid mechanics, and advanced engineering. Below is a step-by-step overview:
Fiber Preparation
Raw fibers are selected and prepared. Common options include cotton, viscose, polyester, polypropylene, wood pulp, and bamboo fiber. These fibers are cleaned, carded, and laid into a uniform web.Web Formation
The loose web of fibers is placed onto a moving belt. At this stage, the web is weak and lacks cohesion.Hydroentanglement (Water Jet Treatment)
High-pressure water jets are directed onto the fiber web. The force of the water entangles and twists fibers around each other, creating a strong and stable structure. The process can be fine-tuned to control density, thickness, softness, and strength.Drying & Finishing
After hydroentanglement, the web is dried and rolled into sheets or reels. Additional treatments such as dyeing, embossing, or texturing may be applied depending on the intended application.
The result is a textile-like fabric that is soft, breathable, and highly versatile—without the need for traditional spinning or weaving.
Comparing Spunlace with Other Nonwoven and Woven Fabrics
To understand the advantages of spunlace, it’s useful to compare it with other textile options:
Traditional Woven Fabrics: Require spinning yarn and weaving on looms. They are strong and durable but labor- and resource-intensive.
Needle-Punched Nonwovens: Made by mechanically entangling fibers with needles. Strong but rougher in texture compared to spunlace.
Spunbond Nonwovens: Made by bonding thermoplastic polymers like polypropylene. They are cost-effective and strong but less soft and breathable.
Meltblown Nonwovens: Fine fibers with excellent filtration properties (used in masks). However, they are fragile compared to spunlace.
Spunlace strikes the perfect balance: it is softer than spunbond, stronger than meltblown, and more eco-friendly than chemically bonded fabrics.
Key Properties of Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric
Spunlace nonwovens are valued for a wide range of performance features:
Softness – Comparable to natural cotton textiles, making it ideal for personal care and medical products.
Absorbency – Superior water and oil absorption due to porous fiber structure.
Strength & Durability – High tensile strength, resistant to tearing even when wet.
Breathability – Allows air circulation, enhancing comfort in garments and masks.
Hygiene – Lint-free and low bioburden, making it suitable for sterile environments.
Eco-Friendliness – Biodegradable when natural fibers are used, with a lower carbon footprint than many synthetic alternatives.
Material Sources & Customization
The adaptability of spunlace fabrics comes from the flexibility in raw materials and design options. Manufacturers can use:
Natural fibers – cotton, bamboo, wood pulp (biodegradable, eco-friendly).
Synthetic fibers – polyester, nylon, polypropylene (durable, cost-effective).
Blends – combining the best of both (e.g., viscose/polyester blends for balance of strength and softness).
Customization options include:
Weight: 25–120 g/m² depending on application
Texture: plain, embossed, apertured for improved functionality
Colors: dyed in multiple shades to meet aesthetic or branding needs
Functional finishes: antibacterial, flame-retardant, water-repellent coatings
This flexibility makes spunlace suitable for both mass-market consumer goods and specialized industrial applications.
Global Market Relevance
The global market for spunlace nonwoven fabric is growing rapidly, driven by:
Rising demand for hygiene products – baby wipes, wet wipes, masks, sanitary napkins.
Healthcare sector expansion – disposable gowns, surgical drapes, wound dressings.
Household and industrial cleaning – durable wipes, kitchen cloths, mops.
Eco-friendly packaging alternatives – replacing single-use plastics.
Agriculture and automotive sectors – crop covers, car interiors, insulation.
Industry reports forecast steady growth due to the shift towards sustainable, single-use, and hygienic solutions.
Conclusion: Why Spunlace Matters
Spunlace nonwoven fabric represents a fusion of innovation, performance, and sustainability in the textile industry. Its unique hydroentanglement process delivers a fabric that is strong yet soft, absorbent yet durable, and eco-friendly yet versatile.
As industries—from healthcare to packaging—search for materials that balance performance with environmental responsibility, spunlace stands out as a clear solution. With its adaptability, scalability, and biodegradability, it is not only shaping today’s textile markets but also paving the way for a sustainable future of fabric manufacturing.
“To learn more about the performance and eco-friendly advantages of spunlace fabric, check out our in-depth guide.”
“Looking for real-world use cases? Explore the top applications of spunlace nonwoven fabrics across industries “
