The market for food-grade nonwoven packaging products has seen significant growth in recent years, driven particularly by environmental and functional demands. Industry trends exhibit the following characteristics:

Polylactic acid (PLA) nonwovens, due to their biodegradable properties, have become a key area of focus in the food packaging industry. Global sales of PLA nonwovens for food packaging applications are expected to continue to grow from 2021 to 2030, with release, hydroentanglement, and thermal calendering processes dominating the market. Companies such as Zhejiang Ailide have launched PLA corn fiber biodegradable materials, which have passed multiple international certifications and meet food contact safety standards, further driving market demand for environmentally friendly materials.

China holds a key position in the global nonwovens industry chain. Leading companies such as Thrace Group and YITING are consolidating their market position through technological upgrades and capacity expansion. Data shows that global PLA nonwovens production capacity and demand will maintain a compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2030. As one of the major production regions, China has seen significant growth in capacity utilization and output, particularly in East China, where an industrial cluster has formed.

Companies are enhancing product performance through R&D, such as TechniSat's high-efficiency filtration materials and Magnera's customized food and beverage packaging solutions. Furthermore, functional demands (such as antibacterial and waterproofing) are driving technological advancements. For example, the application of water-based white waterproof inorganic coatings combined with nonwoven reinforcement processes has further expanded food packaging applications.

In 2025, China's food-grade nonwoven fabric market will be highly concentrated, with the top five manufacturers holding the majority of the market share. Leading companies will accelerate consolidation through mergers and acquisitions and new investments. For example, TechniSat and Thrace Group will enhance their competitiveness by optimizing their product lines and expanding their global presence, while small and medium-sized companies will focus on niche areas (such as coffee filters and tea filter membranes) to achieve differentiation.

Restrictive policies in various countries on single-use plastics have accelerated the replacement of biodegradable nonwoven fabrics. Companies must comply with ISO environmental management and occupational health and safety system certifications, while also addressing the "dual carbon" goals and promoting the large-scale application of bio-based materials such as PLA. By 2030, the penetration rate of biodegradable materials in food packaging nonwovens is expected to exceed 40%.

In summary, the food-grade nonwoven packaging market is moving towards environmental friendliness, functionality, and globalization. Companies need to focus on material innovation, regulatory compliance, and regional capacity development to prepare for future competition.