Strong Production & Improved Profitability
New operational data covering January–May 2026 shows China’s technical textiles sector maintained steady growth amid a complicated global landscape. Nonwovens stood out with rising output and improving earnings. Output of nonwovens from above-scale manufacturers rose 9.5% year-on-year, 5.6 percentage points higher than the same period in 2025. For the whole technical textiles industry, revenue edged up 1.7% after previous declines, while the drop in total profits narrowed to 3%. The nonwovens segment achieved a double rise in volume and profit: revenue grew 2.5% and total profits jumped 9.9%, with the profit margin climbing 0.2 percentage points to 2.7%.
Robust Exports with Diversified Markets
The sector recorded total exports of USD 18.81 billion, up 5.3%, and imports of USD 2.28 billion, a 3.1% increase. Nonwoven exports reached USD 1.93 billion, surging 10.7%, alongside a 13.4% gain in export volume to 770,000 tonnes. Other fast-growing categories included absorbent textiles and wet wipes. The top three export destinations were the United States, Vietnam and Japan. Exports to Belt and Road countries hit USD 11.34 billion, accounting for nearly 60% of total exports and rising 5.5% year on year.
Fluctuating Raw Material Prices in June
International oil prices fell sharply in June as geopolitical premiums faded. Polyester, polyamide filament and polypropylene fibre prices trended weaker, while viscose staple fibre saw volatile increases. Market trading for chemical fibres is increasingly driven by fundamental supply and demand conditions. Easing raw material costs may offer further support to manufacturers in the months ahead.
Resilient Industry Outlook for H2
The technical textiles sector demonstrated solid resilience in the first half of 2026. Nonwovens’ growth in both output and profits, together with an optimised export mix, lays a sound foundation for full-year development. With likely relief from cost pressures, market participants maintain optimism over the industry’s performance in the second half of the year.
Post time: Jul-22-2026
