In recent years, linen products have become increasingly visible, both in the window displays of shopping malls and in everyday home life. The consumer base for domestic linen products is expanding rapidly, revealing significant market potential. Particularly with the rise of the "comfortable clothing" trend, garments containing linen have gained popularity in daily wear. Blended fabrics made from hemp fiber and other fibers have also seen explosive growth, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences.
As market trends and consumer demands evolve, people's understanding of hemp products has broadened. No longer limited to pure hemp, consumers are now more open to blends with cotton, synthetic fibers, and other materials. This diversification has led to a wider range of fabric options and styles, promoting the development of bast fiber products.
The growing demand for hemp-based products has also spurred the growth of the hemp spinning industry. Pure hemp products tend to be more expensive than blended textiles. For companies traditionally focused on pure hemp, developing blended products can help reduce costs. Some firms, previously centered on cotton, have had to adjust their strategies due to the price gap between domestic and international cotton. By creating new products like cotton-linen blends, they leverage the unique properties of hemp to enhance product value and improve economic efficiency.
Despite these developments, the hemp industry still faces challenges. The basic technology in this sector remains relatively weak. As product diversity increases, so do the complexities of production. The hemp spinning industry is small in scale and vast in variety, often referred to as a “small industry†within the broader textile system. Compared to other industries, it lags behind in terms of technical level and technological advancement, especially in equipment quality.
According to Dong Chunxing, chairman of the China Machinist Association, China’s total fiber processing volume reached about 54 million tons in 2017, with chemical fibers making up 75%, cotton around 13% to 14%, and wool, hemp, and silk each accounting for about 1%. The annual processing capacity of hemp fiber into textile fabrics is approximately 400,000 tons, with some unused. Overall, the annual hemp fiber processing volume is around 800,000 tons, which is only a fraction of cotton’s processing volume—roughly one-tenth or even one-twentieth. This small scale means the industry receives less attention and investment.
Currently, only two domestic textile machinery companies specialize in linen spinning equipment: Zhejiang Golden Eagle Co., Ltd. and Changzhou Jinde Textile Machinery Co., Ltd. After acquiring British Mackay, Zhejiang Golden Eagle became the world's largest manufacturer of flax textile machinery, with equipment that represents international standards. However, due to the industry's size and specific production processes, domestic manufacturers have limited research and development in hemp spinning equipment, resulting in relatively outdated machinery compared to cotton and synthetic fiber sectors. Issues such as low automation, long processes, high labor costs, and material loss remain prevalent.
Ramie, known as “China Grass,†accounts for 90% of global ramie output and fiber processing. However, the equipment used in ramie processing is outdated. Many companies still rely on old-fashioned cotton or wool spinning machines, with some even using equipment from the 1960s and 1970s. Overall, the technological level of equipment is a key factor limiting the development of the ramie industry.
Looking ahead, there is a clear need for breakthroughs in equipment. As consumer demand for hemp products grows and labor costs rise, hemp spinning enterprises are under pressure to reduce labor intensity, increase efficiency, and ensure quality. This has become a top priority for entrepreneurs in the industry. It is not just a trend but also a necessity driven by market expectations.
In recent years, textile machinery companies have started to recognize the rising demand for technological upgrades in the hemp industry. While some companies have tried to gain competitive advantages through specialization, many have found it ineffective. Meanwhile, the cotton spinning industry has achieved high levels of automation and mature continuous production technology. The hemp spinning industry hopes to learn from these experiences, adopt applicable technologies, and apply them to linen spinning equipment, leading to new advancements.
Companies like Guangshan White Shark Wire Cloth Co., Ltd. have been researching specialized cloths for hemp spinning since 2000. They have identified four major changes in hemp fiber carding technology, including equipment adaptation, fine craftsmanship, normal blending, and yarn refinement. To address issues like insufficient combing, fiber damage, and short wear cycles, they have implemented eight measures, including thin tips, high hardness, flexible carding, and surface treatment. These efforts have improved combing quality, helping hemp companies solve production problems effectively.
Lixin Dyeing and Finishing Machinery (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., with over 30 years of experience in developing special degumming equipment for the ramie industry, believes the future outlook is promising. Despite its small scale, the hemp industry holds significant market value. However, few domestic companies focus on hemp spinning equipment, and there is a lack of advanced foreign technology to adapt and introduce.
With increasing competition, specialization and market segmentation are crucial for success. Due to its unique fiber properties, the hemp spinning industry has a distinct competitive advantage. With focused effort, new market opportunities will emerge. It is expected that more domestic equipment companies will contribute to the technological progress of the hemp industry, driving sustainable development.
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