Key Factors Affecting the Price of Polypropylene Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

(1) Raw material costs

Raw materials play a pivotal role in the price composition of nonwoven fabrics. Key raw materials such as polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, and viscose fiber directly influence the cost of nonwoven fabrics due to their price fluctuations. For instance, changes in crude oil prices affect the cost of raw materials like polypropylene, as polypropylene is a petroleum refining product derived from propylene. When crude oil prices rise, the cost of polypropylene increases, leading to higher prices for nonwoven fabrics that primarily use polypropylene as a raw material. Additionally, the quality and source of raw materials (brand-name, secondary-grade, imported, or domestic) can create cost variations, further impacting the price of nonwoven fabrics.

(2) Production Process

Differences in production processes significantly impact the cost and performance of nonwoven fabrics. Common methods include thermal bonding, spunlacing, needle-punching, and spunbonding. Spunlaced nonwoven fabrics exhibit superior softness and breathability, but due to their complex processes and high equipment and technical requirements, they also incur relatively higher costs. In contrast, simpler processes like thermal bonding result in lower costs. Nonwoven fabrics produced by different methods exhibit distinct price ranges in the market, with more complex processes and higher technical content often leading to higher product prices.

(3) Product Specifications

The specifications of nonwoven fabric include weight, thickness, width, and more. Generally, products with higher weight, greater thickness, and wider width consume more raw materials and production resources, leading to increased production costs and higher prices. For instance, in agricultural nonwoven fabrics, higher-weight products may offer better thermal insulation and protective properties, meeting specific requirements, and their prices will also be higher than those of standard-weight products.

(4) Market Demand

Market demand is a key variable affecting the price of nonwoven fabric. When overall market demand is robust, such as the surge in demand for medical nonwoven fabric during the pandemic, a supply shortage will drive prices up. Conversely, weak demand will lead to price declines. Additionally, demand fluctuations in different application sectors also exert an impact—for instance, during the spring sowing season in agriculture, increased demand for agricultural nonwoven fabric may push prices higher during that period.

(5) Regional Differences

Regional differences in production costs, logistics expenses, and tax policies lead to geographical variations in nonwoven fabric prices. In areas with concentrated nonwoven fabric manufacturing, such as Central, Eastern, and Southern China, the cluster effect results in relatively lower production costs and more competitive pricing. Conversely, in regions with fewer manufacturers, higher costs for transportation and warehousing may drive up product prices.

(6) Brand and Quality

Well-known brands and high-quality nonwoven fabrics typically command higher prices. These products often utilize superior raw materials, adhere to stricter quality control standards, and incur greater research, development, and management costs to ensure performance and stability. The added brand value also contributes to their higher prices compared to ordinary products.