A Comprehensive Guide to Its Structure, Benefits, and Applications
In today’s nonwoven industry, wood polyester nonwoven fabric—also called wood pulp polyester spunlace fabric—has become one of the most versatile and popular materials. It combines the natural softness and absorbency of wood pulp fibers with the strength and durability of polyester. This unique balance makes it ideal for cleaning wipes, medical disposables, and a wide range of industrial applications.
1. Understanding Wood Polyester Nonwoven Fabric
Unlike traditional woven textiles, nonwoven fabrics are made without knitting or weaving. They are produced by bonding or entangling fibers through mechanical, thermal, or water-jet processes.
The wood polyester nonwoven fabric is a composite material composed of wood pulp (a cellulose-based natural fiber) and polyester (a synthetic fiber). Through the spunlace hydroentanglement process, high-pressure water jets entangle the two fibers, creating a uniform and durable web structure.
A common fiber ratio is 55% wood pulp and 45% polyester, though it can be adjusted depending on the final use. This combination provides a fabric that feels soft like paper yet performs like a textile—offering both absorbency and strength.
2. How It Is Made: The Spunlace Process
The manufacturing process of wood polyester nonwoven fabric typically includes:
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Fiber Preparation and Mixing
Wood pulp and polyester fibers are blended in specific ratios to ensure even fiber distribution. -
Web Formation
The mixed fibers are laid down using air-laid or wet-laid technology to form a loose fiber web. -
Hydroentanglement (Spunlace)
High-pressure water jets entangle the fibers mechanically, giving the material strength and cohesion without using chemical binders. -
Drying and Finishing
The entangled fabric is then dewatered, dried, and optionally treated for special properties such as antibacterial, hydrophilic, or flame-retardant effects.
This process results in a fabric that is lint-free, flexible, and has excellent wet and dry strength—making it suitable for demanding applications.
3. Key Advantages of Wood Polyester Nonwoven Fabric
3.1. Superior Absorbency
Wood pulp fibers have a naturally high liquid absorption rate. When combined with polyester, the fabric maintains excellent absorbency while also being durable when wet—ideal for wipes and cleaning materials.
3.2. Soft and Comfortable Touch
The wood pulp component provides a soft, paper-like texture that is gentle on the skin, making it suitable for personal care and medical applications.
3.3. High Strength and Durability
Polyester fibers contribute tensile strength, tear resistance, and dimensional stability. This ensures the fabric can withstand rigorous wiping, stretching, or mechanical stress without breaking.
3.4. Low Lint and Clean Surface
Because the fibers are tightly entangled, the fabric releases minimal lint during use, making it perfect for industrial cleaning and cleanroom applications.
3.5. Customizable and Cost-Effective
Manufacturers can tailor the GSM (gram per square meter), fiber ratio, and treatment type to match different end-use requirements. It’s an affordable material with a high performance-to-cost ratio.
3.6. Environmentally Friendly Composition
Wood pulp is derived from renewable resources and is partially biodegradable, giving the material an eco-friendly advantage over fully synthetic nonwovens. Some advanced versions even use biodegradable polyester fibers to enhance sustainability.
4. Limitations and Challenges
While wood polyester nonwoven fabrics offer many benefits, they also have some limitations:
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Incomplete biodegradability due to the polyester content.
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Reduced wet strength if the wood pulp percentage is too high.
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Complex process control, as fiber blending and hydroentanglement require precise parameters.
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Limited resistance to extreme heat or strong chemicals compared to pure synthetic nonwovens.
Nonetheless, ongoing innovation—such as bio-based polyester and eco-friendly finishing—continues to improve performance and sustainability.
5. Common Applications
Because of its unique mix of absorbency, softness, and strength, wood polyester nonwoven fabric is widely used across many sectors:
• Cleaning and Wiping Products
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Industrial wipes and shop towels
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Household cleaning cloths
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Automotive and workshop cleaning rolls
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Precision instrument and lens wipes
• Personal Care and Hygiene
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Wet wipes and facial cleansing pads
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Makeup remover wipes
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Baby care and feminine hygiene products
• Medical and Healthcare
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Disposable drapes and gowns
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Surgical wipes and pads
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Medical disinfection cloths
• Industrial and Filtration Materials
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Absorbent pads and spill control products
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Filter support layers and cover materials
• Specialty and Functional Fabrics
Some products are designed with flame-retardant, antibacterial, or anti-static finishes, expanding their use in safety and technical fields.
6. Market Trends and Future Outlook
The global nonwoven market is shifting toward sustainable, multifunctional materials. Within this context, wood polyester spunlace nonwoven stands out for its versatility and adaptability.
Future trends include:
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High wood pulp content designs for better biodegradability
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Bio-based or recycled polyester fibers for reduced carbon footprint
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Functional finishing such as anti-bacterial, flame-retardant, and hydrophilic coatings
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Process automation for stable quality and cost reduction
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Circular design to enable material recycling and reuse
As global awareness of sustainability grows, wood polyester nonwovens are expected to gain even more traction in hygiene, healthcare, and industrial markets.
7. Conclusion
Wood polyester nonwoven fabric bridges the gap between natural absorbency and synthetic strength. Its balanced performance, smooth texture, and cost efficiency make it one of the most widely used materials for nonwoven wipes, cleaning cloths, and medical disposables.
With ongoing innovations in fiber technology and eco-friendly materials, wood polyester nonwovens will continue to evolve—serving as a key material in the future of sustainable nonwoven solutions.
Post time: Oct-15-2025