Spunbond vs Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric: Strength, Softness and Applications

Introduction

When sourcing nonwoven fabric, spunbond vs spunlace is an important comparison because the two materials can look similar at first glance but are produced using very different technologies and are designed for different performance requirements.

Spunbond nonwoven is commonly associated with strength, dimensional stability, low cost, and high production efficiency. Spunlace nonwoven is better known for softness, drape, absorbency, and a textile-like hand feel.

Neither material is universally better.

The correct choice depends on what the finished product needs to achieve.

For example, a manufacturer producing shopping bags may prioritize tensile strength and cost efficiency, making spunbond a logical choice. A wet wipes manufacturer may prioritize softness, liquid handling, and skin contact, making spunlace more suitable.

The difference between spunbond and spunlace begins with their manufacturing processes, but it ultimately affects the way the fabrics behave in real applications.

This guide compares spunbond vs spunlace nonwoven fabric across manufacturing process, fiber structure, strength, softness, absorbency, air permeability, durability, cost, and applications.

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What Is Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric?

Spunbond is a nonwoven fabric manufactured by extruding a thermoplastic polymer into continuous filaments, forming those filaments into a web, and then bonding the web.

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely used polymers for spunbond nonwoven fabric.

A simplified manufacturing sequence is:

Polymer → Extrusion → Spinning → Filament Drawing → Web Formation → Thermal Bonding → Winding

Because spunbond uses continuous filaments rather than short staple fibers, the resulting fabric can provide a useful combination of:

• Tensile strength

• Tear resistance

• Dimensional stability

• Lightweight construction

• Air permeability

• Production efficiency

• Cost efficiency

Spunbond can also be engineered for different GSM, widths, colors, surface treatments, and functional requirements.

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What Is Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric?

Spunlace, also called hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, is produced by entangling fibers with high-pressure water jets.

Unlike conventional PP spunbond, spunlace commonly uses staple fibers such as:

• Viscose

• Polyester

• Wood pulp blends

• Lyocell

• Cotton

• Other synthetic or cellulosic fibers

A simplified process is:

Fiber Preparation → Carding → Web Formation → Hydroentanglement → Water Removal → Drying → Finishing → Winding

The high-pressure water jets mechanically entangle the fibers, producing a fabric with a soft and textile-like structure.

Spunlace is particularly useful where the finished material needs:

• Softness

• Drape

• Absorbency

• Surface comfort

• Liquid handling

• A textile-like feel

This is why spunlace is widely used in wipes, personal care, medical products, cleaning materials, and other applications.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: The Main Difference

The simplest way to understand the difference is:

Spunbond uses continuous filaments and typically relies on thermal bonding.

Spunlace uses staple fibers and relies on high-pressure water jets to mechanically entangle them.

Property	Spunbond	Spunlace
Typical fiber form	Continuous filaments	Staple fibers
Common polymer	PP	Viscose, polyester, blends, etc.
Main bonding method	Thermal bonding	Hydroentanglement
Typical hand feel	Firm to soft depending on design	Soft and textile-like
Absorbency	Generally low for untreated PP	Often higher
Strength-to-weight efficiency	High	Application-dependent
Drape	Moderate	Generally excellent
Air permeability	Generally good	Application-dependent
Liquid handling	Limited for standard PP	Often good
Skin-contact comfort	Application-dependent	Often excellent
Typical cost	Often lower	Often higher
Common applications	Bags, agriculture, furniture, hygiene, packaging	Wipes, medical, personal care, cleaning

These are general characteristics. Actual performance depends on fiber type, GSM, bonding, web structure, finishing, and product design.

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How Is Spunbond Made?

The spunbond manufacturing process begins with polymer resin.

For PP spunbond:

Step 1: Polymer Feeding

PP resin is fed into an extrusion system.

Step 2: Melting

The polymer is heated until it reaches a suitable molten state.

Step 3: Filament Spinning

The molten polymer is extruded through spinnerets to form continuous filaments.

Step 4: Drawing

The filaments are cooled and drawn to improve orientation and achieve the required filament structure.

Step 5: Web Formation

The continuous filaments are distributed into a web.

The distribution of filaments influences:

• GSM uniformity

• MD/CD properties

• Thickness

• Air permeability

• Surface appearance

Step 6: Thermal Bonding

Heat and pressure are used to bond the filaments together.

Step 7: Slitting and Winding

The finished fabric is cut to the required width and wound into rolls.

This continuous manufacturing process is one reason spunbond can be produced efficiently at large scale.

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How Is Spunlace Made?

Spunlace production begins with staple fibers.

Step 1: Fiber Preparation

Fibers are opened, blended, and prepared for web formation.

Step 2: Carding

The fibers are aligned and formed into a web.

Step 3: Cross-Lapping

Depending on the production system, the web may be cross-lapped to improve structure and directional properties.

Step 4: Hydroentanglement

High-pressure water jets pass through the web and entangle the fibers.

Step 5: Water Removal

The excess water is removed.

Step 6: Drying

The fabric is dried under controlled conditions.

Step 7: Finishing

Additional processes may include:

• Softening

• Hydrophilic treatment

• Printing

• Lotion application

• Antibacterial treatment

• Other functional finishing

Step 8: Winding

The finished fabric is converted into rolls for downstream processing.

The hydroentanglement process produces a fabric that can have a soft, textile-like surface.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Which Is Stronger?

Strength is one of the most important differences when comparing the two materials.

Spunbond can provide excellent strength-to-weight performance because continuous filaments run through the fabric structure.

Its strength is influenced by:

• Polymer type

• GSM

• Filament diameter

• Molecular orientation

• Web distribution

• Bonding pattern

• Bonding conditions

• Production speed

Spunlace strength depends on:

• Fiber type

• Fiber length

• Fiber blend

• GSM

• Hydroentanglement intensity

• Web structure

• Fiber orientation

• Finishing

Therefore, it is not technically correct to say that every spunbond fabric is stronger than every spunlace fabric.

However, for many lightweight PP applications where high tensile efficiency and cost efficiency are important, spunbond is a strong choice.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Which Is Softer?

Spunlace generally has an advantage when softness and textile-like hand feel are major requirements.

The hydroentanglement process creates a structure in which fibers are mechanically entangled rather than primarily bonded through a thermal calendering pattern.

This can provide:

• Soft hand feel

• Good drape

• Flexible structure

• Textile-like surface

• Comfortable skin contact

Spunbond can also be engineered for softness.

However, if the primary requirement is a very soft, cloth-like material for wipes or personal care, spunlace is often the more natural starting point.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Absorbency

This is another major difference.

Standard PP spunbond is naturally hydrophobic.

Therefore, untreated PP spunbond generally does not absorb water in the same way as cellulosic fibers.

Spunlace can use fibers such as viscose, cotton, wood pulp, or blends that provide significantly better liquid absorption.

Property	PP Spunbond	Cellulosic Spunlace
Natural water affinity	Low	Generally higher
Water absorption	Low	Higher
Liquid spreading	Treatment-dependent	Often good
Drying behavior	Application-dependent	Fiber-dependent
Typical use	Structural/protective layer	Wipes/absorbent products

However, spunbond can be treated to improve hydrophilicity.

This can make it suitable for applications requiring improved wetting or liquid transfer.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace for Wipes

Spunlace is one of the most important nonwoven technologies for wipes.

Why?

Because wipes generally require a combination of:

• Softness

• Absorbency

• Liquid retention

• Drape

• Surface comfort

• Cleaning performance

Spunlace can be produced from different fiber blends to achieve different performance profiles.

For example:

Viscose + polyester

can combine absorbency with strength.

Viscose + cellulose-based fibers

can emphasize absorbency and softness.

The appropriate blend depends on the wipe's intended use.

Standard PP spunbond is generally not the first choice when the primary function is absorbent wiping.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace for Nonwoven Bags

For nonwoven shopping bags, spunbond is usually a much more practical option.

The main reasons include:

• Good tensile strength

• Good tear resistance

• Low material cost

• Lightweight construction

• Easy printing

• Easy sewing

• High production efficiency

• Wide range of colors

• Suitable stiffness

Bag manufacturers commonly select different GSM according to the desired bag structure and load-bearing requirements.

For example, a lightweight promotional bag may require a different GSM from a reusable shopping bag designed for repeated use.

Spunlace would generally be unnecessary for this application because its softness and absorbency provide limited commercial benefit for a typical shopping bag.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace for Medical Applications

Both materials can be used in medical applications, but their functions may differ.

Spunbond can be used where the material needs:

• Strength

• Lightweight structure

• Breathability

• Protection

• Low cost

Spunlace may be selected where:

• Softness

• Absorbency

• Low lint

• Drapability

• Skin contact

are more important.

The correct material depends on the exact medical product.

For example, a disposable protective garment and a medical wipe have very different material requirements.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace for Hygiene Products

Hygiene products often use multiple layers with different functions.

Spunbond can provide:

• Surface layers

• Distribution layers

• Support

• Breathability

• Structural strength

Spunlace may be selected when:

• Softness is critical

• Absorbency is needed

• The material contacts skin

• Liquid handling is important

In some product structures, different nonwoven technologies can be combined rather than choosing only one.

This is particularly important for advanced hygiene products.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace for Furniture and Mattress Applications

Spunbond is widely used in furniture and mattress-related applications because of its:

• Strength

• Lightweight structure

• Low cost

• Processability

• Dimensional stability

It can be used as:

• Dust cover

• Bottom fabric

• Mattress backing

• Upholstery support material

• Furniture lining

Spunlace can be considered when a softer textile-like surface is required.

However, the additional cost of spunlace may not be justified if softness and absorbency are not important to the final product.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace for Agriculture

Spunbond is generally much more common for agricultural applications.

It can provide a useful combination of:

• Lightweight construction

• Air permeability

• Moisture management

• Strength

• UV stabilization options

• Cost efficiency

Applications include:

• Crop covers

• Frost protection

• Plant protection

• Nursery materials

• Agricultural covers

Spunlace is generally less suitable when the main requirement is an economical, durable outdoor agricultural fabric.

For outdoor use, spunbond can also be engineered with UV stabilization and other treatments.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Air Permeability

Air permeability is strongly influenced by fabric structure.

For spunbond, important factors include:

• GSM

• Thickness

• Filament diameter

• Web density

• Bonding

• Calendering

For spunlace, airflow depends on:

• Fiber type

• Fiber diameter

• GSM

• Web structure

• Hydroentanglement

• Compression

• Finishing

Neither technology has a universally higher air permeability.

If airflow is critical, buyers should compare actual test results rather than assuming performance from the manufacturing process.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Thickness

Thickness is not determined simply by whether the material is spunbond or spunlace.

It depends on:

• GSM

• Fiber diameter

• Web structure

• Bonding

• Compression

• Finishing

• Production conditions

Two fabrics with the same GSM can have different thicknesses.

Similarly, two fabrics with similar thickness can have different mechanical and liquid-handling properties.

Therefore, thickness should be specified separately when it is important to the final product.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Tear Strength

Tear resistance is important for:

• Bags

• Covers

• Agricultural materials

• Furniture materials

• Protective products

Spunbond's continuous filament structure can provide good resistance to tear propagation, depending on GSM and web/bond structure.

Spunlace tear performance depends heavily on fiber type, orientation, GSM, and entanglement.

For procurement, compare:

• MD tear

• CD tear

• Test method

• GSM

• Thickness

rather than comparing a single generic "tear strength" value.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Elongation

Elongation describes how much the material extends before breaking under a specified tensile test.

The behavior of the two fabrics can differ because their internal structures are different.

Spunbond filament orientation and thermal bonding influence MD/CD elongation.

Spunlace fiber orientation and entanglement determine how the web deforms.

Higher elongation is not automatically better.

For example:

• A bag may need controlled deformation.

• A wipe may benefit from flexibility.

• A medical product may require drape.

• A structural cover may prioritize dimensional stability.

The required elongation depends on the finished product.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Dimensional Stability

Dimensional stability can be important when a material must maintain its dimensions during:

• Cutting

• Sewing

• Printing

• Laminating

• Heat processing

• Converting

Spunbond thermal bonding can provide a relatively stable structure.

Spunlace performance depends on fiber type, entanglement, drying conditions, and finishing.

For high-speed converting, buyers should test the actual material under production conditions rather than relying only on laboratory data.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Surface Feel

Surface feel can strongly influence the customer's perception of a finished product.

Characteristic	Spunbond	Spunlace
Hand feel	Can range from firm to soft	Usually soft
Textile-like feel	Moderate	High
Drape	Moderate	Generally high
Skin comfort	Application-dependent	Often high
Surface structure	Bonding-dependent	Fiber-entanglement dependent

If a customer touches the finished product directly, softness may have greater commercial importance than tensile strength.

This is one reason spunlace is common in personal care and wipes.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Cost

Cost is influenced by much more than the word "spunbond" or "spunlace."

Important factors include:

• Fiber/polymer cost

• GSM

• Production efficiency

• Energy consumption

• Fiber blend

• Finishing

• Treatment

• Width

• Order quantity

• Quality requirements

PP spunbond is often commercially attractive because PP is relatively economical and spunbond production is highly efficient.

Spunlace production involves fiber preparation, water systems, entanglement, water removal, drying, and other processing steps.

As a result, spunlace can have a higher material cost in many applications.

However, price/kg should not be the only comparison.

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Cost per Square Meter

For B2B buyers, cost per square meter can be more useful than price per kilogram.

A simplified calculation is:

Cost per m² = GSM ÷ 1000 × Price per kg

For example, if:

• GSM = 40 g/m²

• Price = $1.30/kg

Then:

40 ÷ 1000 × $1.30 = $0.052/m²

The same calculation can be used to compare different GSM materials.

However, the cheapest material per square meter is not necessarily the cheapest solution.

The finished product may require different levels of:

• Strength

• Softness

• Absorbency

• Durability

• Converting efficiency

Therefore, buyers should compare cost per usable finished product, not just fabric price.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Environmental Considerations

Environmental performance depends on the complete material composition and end-of-life system.

Spunbond made from PP is synthetic and can be recycled in appropriate systems when the material is sufficiently clean and compatible with the recycling stream.

Spunlace can contain:

• Viscose

• Cotton

• Cellulose

• Polyester

• Blends

The environmental profile therefore depends on the specific fiber composition.

A product made from a single material can present different end-of-life opportunities from a multilayer or blended product.

Therefore, buyers should ask about:

• Fiber composition

• Recycled content

• Renewable content

• Additives

• Coatings

• Laminations

• End-of-life options

rather than judging sustainability solely from the word "spunlace" or "spunbond."

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Which Should You Choose?

Use the following decision framework.

Choose Spunbond When You Need:

• High strength-to-weight efficiency

• Low material cost

• Good tear resistance

• Dimensional stability

• Large-volume production

• Lightweight structure

• Agricultural materials

• Nonwoven bags

• Furniture materials

• Packaging

• Certain hygiene layers

Choose Spunlace When You Need:

• High softness

• Textile-like hand feel

• Good drape

• Absorbency

• Liquid handling

• Skin-contact comfort

• Wipes

• Cleaning products

• Certain medical products

• Personal-care materials

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Spunbond vs Spunlace Decision Matrix

Requirement	Spunbond	Spunlace
Low cost	★★★★★	★★★
High strength-to-weight	★★★★★	★★★
Softness	★★★	★★★★★
Absorbency	★	★★★★★
Drape	★★★	★★★★★
Nonwoven bags	★★★★★	★
Wet wipes	★	★★★★★
Agricultural covers	★★★★★	★
Furniture backing	★★★★★	★★
Skin-contact comfort	★★★	★★★★★
Outdoor UV applications	★★★★★	★★
Liquid distribution	★★★	★★★★★
Large-volume economical production	★★★★★	★★★

The ratings are a practical comparison rather than universal technical specifications.

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A Real-World Example: Choosing Material for a New Product

Imagine a buyer is developing two products.

Product A: Reusable Shopping Bag

The requirements are:

• 80 GSM

• High tensile strength

• Good tear resistance

• Easy printing

• Low cost

• Multiple colors

• Sewing compatibility

Spunbond is the logical starting point.

The additional softness and absorbency of spunlace would not provide enough benefit to justify the higher material cost.

Product B: Facial Cleansing Wipe

The requirements are:

• Soft hand feel

• Good liquid absorption

• Comfortable skin contact

• Good drape

• Ability to hold lotion

Spunlace is the more natural starting point.

The strength and low cost of PP spunbond are less important than softness and absorbency.

This illustrates the central principle:

Choose the nonwoven technology based on the function of the finished product.

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Why GSM Alone Cannot Tell You Which Is Better

A common purchasing mistake is comparing two fabrics only by GSM.

For example:

50 GSM spunbond

versus:

50 GSM spunlace

The same GSM does not mean the fabrics have the same performance.

Their:

• Fiber composition

• Fiber structure

• Bonding mechanism

• Absorbency

• Tensile behavior

• Softness

• Thickness

• Air permeability

can be completely different.

GSM only tells you how much mass is present per square meter.

It does not tell you whether that material is appropriate for the finished product.

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Why Strength Alone Cannot Tell You Which Is Better

Another mistake is to select the material with the highest tensile strength.

A wipe does not need to behave like a shopping bag.

Likewise, a reusable bag does not need the same softness or absorbency as a facial wipe.

The right selection should consider:

Performance requirement → Fabric property → Finished-product performance → Total cost

rather than:

Highest specification = Best fabric

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How Buyers Should Compare Spunbond and Spunlace Suppliers

When requesting samples, ask suppliers to provide a complete specification.

Specification	Why It Matters
Fiber/polymer composition	Determines fundamental behavior
GSM	Material quantity
Thickness	Physical structure
MD tensile	Machine-direction strength
CD tensile	Cross-direction strength
MD/CD elongation	Deformation behavior
Tear strength	Resistance to tear propagation
Air permeability	Breathability
Absorbency	Liquid handling
Wet strength	Performance when wet
Surface treatment	Functional behavior
Width	Production compatibility
Roll length	Logistics/converting
Test method	Allows meaningful comparison

This prevents a common problem where two suppliers provide different test data that cannot actually be compared.

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The Best Supplier Is Not Always the Cheapest Supplier

For B2B nonwoven purchasing, the supplier should be evaluated on more than quotation price.

Important factors include:

• Raw material consistency

• GSM consistency

• Width consistency

• Tensile consistency

• Roll-to-roll uniformity

• Treatment consistency

• Packaging

• Delivery reliability

• Production capacity

• Quality control

• Communication

For large-volume orders, a small variation in fabric quality can create substantial downstream losses.

Therefore, supplier selection should consider total production cost, not simply fabric price.

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How to Write an RFQ for Spunbond

A typical spunbond RFQ might specify:

Material: PP spunbond nonwoven
GSM: 60 GSM
Width: 160 cm
Color: Custom
MD tensile: Required value
CD tensile: Required value
MD/CD elongation: Required values
Tear strength: Required values
Treatment: Hydrophobic / hydrophilic / untreated
UV stabilization: Required if outdoor use
Roll length: Required length
Application: Reusable shopping bags
Quantity: Required quantity

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How to Write an RFQ for Spunlace

A spunlace RFQ may need additional information about fiber composition and liquid performance.

For example:

Material: Spunlace nonwoven
Composition: Viscose/polyester blend
GSM: 50 GSM
Width: 180 cm
Color: White
Softness: Required
Absorbency: Required
Wet strength: Required
MD/CD tensile: Required values
Application: Wet wipes
Finishing: As required
Roll length: Required length
Quantity: Required quantity

This is much more useful than simply asking:

"Please quote spunlace fabric."

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Common Buying Mistakes

Mistake 1: Choosing Based Only on Price

The lowest price/kg does not necessarily produce the lowest cost per finished product.

Mistake 2: Choosing Based Only on GSM

Equal GSM does not mean equal performance.

Mistake 3: Assuming Spunlace Is Always Better Because It Is Softer

Softness is valuable only when the finished product requires it.

Mistake 4: Assuming Spunbond Is Always Stronger

Strength depends on the specific fabric construction and test method.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Fiber Composition

A spunlace made from viscose behaves differently from polyester spunlace or a blended structure.

Mistake 6: Comparing Different Test Methods

Tensile, tear, absorbency, and other properties should be compared using compatible test methods.

Mistake 7: Ignoring the Final Product

The fabric should ultimately be tested after converting into the actual finished product.

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Spunbond vs Spunlace: Quick Selection Guide

If your product needs:

Strength + low cost + lightweight structure → Spunbond

Softness + absorbency + drape → Spunlace

Reusable shopping bags → Spunbond

Wet wipes → Spunlace

Agricultural covers → Spunbond

Furniture backing → Spunbond

Skin-contact cleaning wipes → Spunlace

High-volume economical structural material → Spunbond

Textile-like disposable material → Spunlace

These are starting points rather than absolute rules.

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Final Takeaway

The difference between spunbond and spunlace is not simply that one is "strong" and the other is "soft."

They are fundamentally different nonwoven technologies.

Spunbond is generally attractive when buyers need:

• Strength

• Lightweight construction

• Cost efficiency

• Dimensional stability

• High production efficiency

• Outdoor durability options

Spunlace is generally attractive when buyers need:

• Softness

• Absorbency

• Drape

• Liquid handling

• Textile-like feel

• Skin-contact comfort

The best material is determined by the finished product.

If you are buying fabric for bags, agriculture, furniture, packaging, or structural applications, spunbond is often a logical starting point.

If you are producing wipes, personal-care products, cleaning materials, or other products where softness and absorbency are central, spunlace may be more appropriate.

For a professional purchasing decision, compare fiber composition, GSM, thickness, tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, air permeability, absorbency, and total cost rather than choosing based on a single property.

The most important question is not:

"Is spunbond better than spunlace?"

It is:

"Which nonwoven structure gives my finished product the required performance at the lowest practical total cost?"

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FAQ

What is the main difference between spunbond and spunlace?

Spunbond is generally made from continuous filaments and bonded thermally, while spunlace is made from staple fibers that are mechanically entangled using high-pressure water jets.

Is spunbond stronger than spunlace?

Not universally. Specific strength depends on fiber composition, GSM, web structure, bonding, and test method. Spunbond often provides excellent strength-to-weight efficiency in lightweight PP applications.

Is spunlace softer than spunbond?

Spunlace is generally softer and has a more textile-like hand feel, making it suitable for wipes, personal care, and skin-contact applications.

Which is more absorbent, spunbond or spunlace?

Spunlace is generally more absorbent when made from cellulosic fibers such as viscose or cotton. Standard PP spunbond has low water absorbency unless it is specially treated.

Is spunbond cheaper than spunlace?

Spunbond is often more cost-efficient for large-volume structural applications, but actual pricing depends on GSM, fiber composition, treatments, production process, quantity, and specifications.

Which is better for nonwoven bags?

Spunbond is generally the more suitable choice because it offers a useful combination of strength, printability, durability, color options, and cost efficiency.

Which is better for wet wipes?

Spunlace is generally more suitable because softness, absorbency, drape, and liquid handling are important characteristics of wipe materials.

Can spunbond be used for hygiene products?

Yes. Spunbond is widely used in various hygiene-product structures. Different layers may require different properties, including hydrophilicity, softness, strength, and air permeability.

Can spunlace be used outdoors?

It can be used in selected outdoor applications, but suitability depends on fiber composition, UV resistance, moisture resistance, mechanical requirements, and expected service life.

Does the same GSM mean spunbond and spunlace have the same thickness?

No. GSM measures mass per square meter, while thickness measures the physical distance between the fabric surfaces. Different structures can produce different thickness at the same GSM.

Which has better air permeability?

Neither technology is universally better. Air permeability depends on GSM, thickness, fiber or filament structure, bonding, entanglement, porosity, and finishing. Actual test results should be compared.

Which fabric should I choose for my product?

Start with the required finished-product performance. Choose spunbond when strength, lightweight construction, durability, and cost efficiency are important. Consider spunlace when softness, absorbency, drape, and liquid handling are more important.