Spunlace nonwoven fabric comes in multiple types based on fibre composition, GSM grade and surface pattern. The main types are 100% viscose spunlace, 100% polyester spunlace, viscose-polyester blend (50/50, 70/30, 30/70), wood pulp-viscose and cotton spunlace. Each type has different softness, absorbency, strength and cost — making them suitable for different applications from baby wipes to industrial cleaning. This guide covers all types with GSM grades, properties and which one to choose.
Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric Types — Quick Comparison
| Type | Composition | Softness | Absorbency | Strength | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Viscose Most Popular | 100% viscose (rayon) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Higher | Baby wipes, cosmetic pads, medical |
| 70/30 Viscose-PET | 70% viscose, 30% polyester | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Wet wipes, hygiene top sheet |
| 50/50 Viscose-PET Most Common | 50% viscose, 50% polyester | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | General wipes, salon towels |
| 30/70 Viscose-PET | 30% viscose, 70% polyester | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lower | Industrial wipes, filters |
| 100% Polyester | 100% polyester (PET) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lower | Industrial, chemical wipes |
| Wood Pulp-Viscose | Wood pulp + viscose blend | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Medical, high-absorbency wipes |
| Cotton Spunlace | 100% cotton or cotton blend | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Highest | Premium cosmetic, medical |
Spunlace GSM Grade Guide
| GSM Range | Weight Class | Typical Applications | Preferred Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–30 GSM | Ultra-light | Cosmetic pads, facial wipes, eye wipes | 100% viscose |
| 30–45 GSM | Light | Feminine hygiene top sheet, baby wipe substrate | 70/30 viscose-polyester |
| 40–60 GSM Most Used | Standard | Baby wipes, wet wipes, medical gauze, makeup remover | 50/50 or 100% viscose |
| 60–80 GSM | Medium-heavy | Salon towels, kitchen wipes, industrial cleaning | 50/50 or 30/70 viscose-PET |
| 80–120 GSM | Heavy | Heavy industrial wipes, filters, technical substrates | 100% polyester or PET blend |
What is Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric?
Spunlace nonwoven fabric — also called hydroentangled nonwoven — is made by entangling fibres using high-pressure water jets. No chemical binders, adhesives or heat bonding are used. The process gives spunlace its signature soft, cloth-like feel and high absorbency that makes it the preferred material for wipes, hygiene and medical applications.
Favourite Fab manufactures spunlace nonwoven fabric at our Agra facility with a production line width of 800–4800 mm, producing fabric from 30 to 120 GSM across all blend types. For a complete overview, read our guide on what is spunlace fabric.
Type 1 — 100% Viscose Spunlace
100% viscose spunlace is the softest and most absorbent type. Viscose is a natural-origin cellulose fibre derived from wood pulp — it absorbs up to 6× its own weight in liquid and feels extremely gentle on skin. It is the standard material for premium baby wipes, cosmetic pads and medical gauze.
- Softness: Highest — cotton-like feel
- Absorbency: Highest — up to 6× its weight
- Biodegradable: Yes — 100% biodegradable and compostable
- Typical GSM: 30–60 GSM
- Best applications: Baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, makeup remover pads, medical gauze, feminine hygiene
- HS Code: 5603.92 (HSN 56039200, GST 5%)
Type 2 — Viscose-Polyester Blend Spunlace
Viscose-polyester blend is the most widely used spunlace type globally. By adjusting the viscose-to-polyester ratio, manufacturers can fine-tune softness, absorbency, strength and cost. Favourite Fab offers all standard blend ratios:
| Blend Ratio | Viscose % | Polyester % | Key Property | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90/10 | 90% | 10% | Near-pure viscose softness with slightly better durability | Premium baby wipes |
| 70/30 Popular | 70% | 30% | Excellent softness + good wet strength | Wet wipes, hygiene products |
| 50/50 Most Common | 50% | 50% | Balanced softness, absorbency and cost | General wipes, salon towels |
| 30/70 | 30% | 70% | Higher strength, lower absorbency | Industrial wipes, filters |
| 20/80 | 20% | 80% | High durability, chemical resistance | Technical industrial use |
| 10/90 | 10% | 90% | Near-polyester strength | Heavy industrial |
Type 3 — 100% Polyester Spunlace
100% polyester spunlace is the strongest and most chemically resistant type. It has lower absorbency than viscose but excellent durability and resistance to solvents, oils and industrial chemicals. It is the preferred choice for industrial cleaning wipes, technical filters and applications where the fabric must hold up under repeated mechanical stress.
- Strength: Highest tensile and tear strength of all spunlace types
- Chemical resistance: Excellent — suitable for solvent and oil wipes
- Absorbency: Lower than viscose types
- Typical GSM: 60–120 GSM
- Best applications: Industrial wipes, automotive cleaning, technical filters, coating substrates
Type 4 — Wood Pulp-Viscose Spunlace
Wood pulp-viscose spunlace combines wood pulp fibres with viscose to create a highly absorbent, cost-effective fabric. Wood pulp adds bulk and absorbency at lower cost than pure viscose. This type is widely used in medical wipes, wound care and high-absorbency hygiene applications.
- Absorbency: Very high — wood pulp adds bulk absorption
- Cost: Lower than 100% viscose
- Biodegradable: Yes — both wood pulp and viscose are natural-origin fibres
- Best applications: Medical wipes, wound dressings, high-absorbency hygiene products
Spunlace Surface Patterns
In addition to fibre type and GSM, spunlace fabric is available in different surface patterns created during the hydroentanglement process:
| Pattern | Description | Best For | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Standard | Smooth flat surface, no texture | Medical wipes, cosmetic pads, general wipes | 1,000 kg |
| Pearl Embossed | Small raised dot pattern — increases bulk feel | Baby wipes, premium wet wipes | 5,000 kg |
| Diamond Embossed | Diamond grid pattern — decorative + functional | Salon towels, household wipes | 5,000 kg |
| Apertured | Small holes through the fabric — increases liquid transfer speed | Hygiene top sheets, wound dressings | 5,000 kg |
| Crosslap | Crosslaid fibre structure — isotropic strength | Industrial wipes, technical applications | 5,000 kg |
Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric Specifications — Favourite Fab
| Production Line Width | 800 mm to 4800 mm |
| GSM Range | 30 GSM to 120 GSM |
| Roll Width (finished) | 120 mm to 3200 mm (slit to order) |
| Roll Diameter | Up to 1200 mm |
| Core Size | 3 inch |
| Width for Wet Wipes | 150 mm to 300 mm |
| Wipe Substrate Standard | 50% Viscose + 50% Polyester, 40–60 GSM |
| Colours Available | White (standard), Blue, Pink |
| Patterns Available | Plain, pearl embossed, diamond embossed, apertured, crosslap |
| MOQ — Plain fabric | 1,000 kg |
| MOQ — Embossed / Apertured | 5,000 kg |
| Delivery Time | 2–5 days (India) |
| HS Code | 5603.92 (HSN 56039200) |
| GST Rate | 5% |
| Price | From ₹150/kg onwards (varies by blend and GSM) |
Which Spunlace Type Should You Choose?
| If you are making… | Choose this type | Recommended GSM |
|---|---|---|
| Baby wipes | 100% viscose or 70/30 viscose-PET | 40–50 GSM |
| Cosmetic / makeup remover wipes | 100% viscose | 40–60 GSM |
| Wet wipes (general) | 50/50 viscose-polyester | 40–60 GSM |
| Medical gauze / wound dressing | 100% viscose | 40–60 GSM |
| Feminine hygiene top sheet | 70/30 viscose-PET | 30–45 GSM |
| Salon towels | 50/50 viscose-PET | 60–80 GSM |
| Industrial / kitchen wipes | 30/70 viscose-PET or 100% PET | 60–80 GSM |
| Alcohol / chemical wipes | 100% polyester | 40–60 GSM |
| Eco / biodegradable wipes | 100% viscose or wood pulp-viscose | 40–60 GSM |
Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric Technical Properties — Measured Data
Star ratings show which spunlace type is softer or stronger. Converters specifying a substrate for a production line need numbers. The table below gives the measured property data behind those ratings, with the test standard where one applies.
| Property | Measured Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbency | 100% viscose: up to 6× own weight, saturating in under 2 seconds Wood pulp-viscose: up to 7× 70/30 viscose-PET: 4–5× 50/50 viscose-PET: 3–4× 100% polyester: 1–1.5× | Sets lotion loading per wipe and how fast the substrate picks up liquid |
| Tensile strength (dry) | 18–22 N/5cm MD at 40 GSM 28–34 N/5cm MD at 60 GSM (full GSM breakdown below) | Withstands unwind tension and wiping force without tearing |
| Wet strength retention | Retains 65–80% of dry tensile strength when fully saturated | Critical for wet wipes — the substrate must not disintegrate in the pack or in use |
| Lint level | Below 0.1 mg/cm² (EDANA ERT 50.3). Cotton gauze measures 0.5–1.2 mg/cm², so spunlace generates 5–10× less lint | Mandatory for medical, cleanroom and optical wipe applications |
| Biodegradation time (soil) | 100% viscose: 6–8 weeks Wood pulp-viscose: 4–8 weeks 100% cotton: 5–12 weeks Viscose-PET blends: viscose fraction only 100% polyester: does not biodegrade | Determines certification eligibility — OEKO-TEX and GRS for viscose and wood pulp-viscose, OK Biobased for 100% viscose, GOTS for cotton |
| Temperature resistance | Viscose: stable to 120°C, yellows and weakens above 130°C 50/50 blend: 130–140°C 100% polyester: 150°C | Compatibility with hot-press lamination, sealing and sterilisation. Pure viscose is unsuitable for autoclave unless blended with polyester |
| Air permeability | 150–400 mm/s at 200 Pa (ASTM D737) | Breathability in medical gowns, drapes and skin-contact hygiene layers |
Two consistency figures matter as much as the headline numbers on a high-speed converting line. Spunlace holds a ±3 GSM tolerance across the full roll width, against ±8–12 GSM for cotton gauze — so lotion pick-up and finished pack weight stay predictable roll to roll. And because hydroentanglement adds no binder, absorbency comes from the fibre and void structure alone: spunlace picks up liquid roughly twice as fast as cotton gauze at comparable total capacity.
Tensile Strength and Wet Strength by GSM
Tensile strength scales directly with GSM in both the machine direction (MD) and the cross direction (CD), and wet strength retention improves slightly as the fabric gets heavier. Use this table to confirm that the GSM you are specifying will survive your converting process and end use.
| GSM | Tensile MD (dry) | Tensile CD (dry) | Wet Strength Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 GSM | 10–14 N/5cm | 5–8 N/5cm | 65–70% |
| 40 GSM — standard wipes | 18–22 N/5cm | 8–12 N/5cm | 70–75% |
| 50 GSM | 22–28 N/5cm | 11–16 N/5cm | 72–78% |
| 60 GSM — salon / industrial | 28–34 N/5cm | 14–19 N/5cm | 75–80% |
| 80 GSM | 38–46 N/5cm | 18–24 N/5cm | 75–82% |
At 40 GSM — the standard wet wipe weight — dry MD tensile of 18–22 N/5cm leaves roughly 12–17 N/5cm once the substrate is saturated with wipe lotion, which is sufficient for normal wiping force without tearing. Note that CD strength is consistently about half of MD on a parallel-laid web. If your product is pulled, folded or wrung across the web, either move up in GSM or specify a crosslaid structure.
How the Hydroentanglement Process Works
Spunlace is bonded by water, not by heat or adhesive. Understanding the sequence explains most of the property data above — and tells you which stage to specify against when you place an order.
- Fibre selection and opening — viscose, polyester, cotton or wood pulp, in the blend ratio specified for the order.
- Web forming — loose fibres are laid into a uniform web. The lay-down pattern at this stage decides whether the finished fabric is parallel-laid or crosslaid.
- Hydroentanglement — high-pressure water jets at 30–150 bar strike the web from multiple angles, forcing the fibres to interlock mechanically. This is the only bonding step: no adhesive, resin, binder or thermal bond is applied.
- Drying — the wet fabric passes through a drying drum to remove residual moisture.
- Finishing and slitting — embossing, apertures or surface treatment as ordered, then slit to the required roll width.
Crosslap Spunlace — Cross-Laid Web Structure
Crosslap appears in the surface pattern table above, but it is not a surface treatment. It is a web-forming method applied at step 2 of the process. In crosslapping, the carded fibre web is laid down in a cross-directional pattern before it reaches the water jets, so fibres are oriented both lengthwise and widthwise. The result is superior strength and dimensional stability in both directions, instead of the strong-MD, weak-CD profile of a parallel-laid web. In practice that means a substrate that holds its shape and resists tearing when stress is applied across the web, not only along it — while staying soft and drapeable.
Crosslap is available in viscose, polyester and viscose-polyester blends. 40 GSM and 60 GSM are the most commonly ordered weights, and it carries the 5,000 kg MOQ shown in the pattern table above.
Medical-Grade Crosslap Spunlace
Absorbency, softness and lint-free performance together make crosslap the standard substrate for a set of medical converted products that ordinary wipe stock cannot serve:
- Surgical gowns and drapes — a barrier against fluids and bacteria while remaining breathable
- Wound dressings — a gentle, absorbent contact layer that promotes healing
- Gauze sponges — superior absorbency and softness compared with traditional woven gauze
- Bandages — softness plus cross-direction stability under tension
- Medical wipes — cleaning and disinfecting instruments, surfaces and skin
Medical-grade material must be certified to the quality and safety standards of the end application. Favourite Fab supplies medical-grade crosslap spunlace that adheres to these requirements, manufactured in a sanitised environment with zero stock-lot material. Samples are available on request at no charge.
Industrial and Technical Crosslap Applications
Outside medical and hygiene converting, the cross-laid structure is specified where the fabric has to take mechanical stress or be engineered to a technical requirement:
- Filtration media — fabric structure engineered to specific filtration requirements
- Automotive interiors — headliners, door panels and similar trim components
- Protective apparel — a barrier against dust, dirt and other contaminants
- Heavy-duty cleaning wipes — machinery, tools and workshop surfaces
Crosslap is supplied across the same weight and blend range as the rest of our spunlace line, with customisation on GSM, fibre blend and finish, competitive wholesale pricing on bulk orders, and technical support from our team on selecting the right specification. Export enquiries are welcome.
About Favourite Fab — Spunlace Manufacturer in India
Favourite Fab is a leading spunlace nonwoven fabric manufacturer based in Agra, India. We manufacture all types of spunlace — viscose, polyester, PET-viscose blends and wood pulp blends — from 30 to 120 GSM across plain, embossed and apertured patterns. We supply to 13,000+ customers across India from J&K to Kerala and Gujarat to Nagaland, and export globally.
Learn more about what is spunlace fabric, compare spunlace vs spunbond, or check the spunlace HS code and GST rate.
Get a Quote
Tell us your application, required GSM and blend — we will recommend the right spunlace type and send a sample.
Email: sale@favouritehub.com | WhatsApp / Call: +91 8800775462
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of spunlace nonwoven fabric?
The main types of spunlace nonwoven fabric are: 100% viscose (softest, most absorbent — for baby wipes and medical), viscose-polyester blend (50/50 is most common — for general wipes), 100% polyester (strongest — for industrial use), wood pulp-viscose (high absorbency at lower cost) and cotton spunlace (premium softness for cosmetic use). The right type depends on your required softness, absorbency, strength and budget.
What is the difference between 100% viscose and 50/50 viscose-polyester spunlace?
100% viscose spunlace is softer, more absorbent and biodegradable — ideal for baby wipes, cosmetic pads and medical gauze where skin contact and absorbency are the priority. 50/50 viscose-polyester spunlace is more durable, stronger when wet and costs less — making it the standard choice for general wet wipes, salon towels and household cleaning.
Which GSM spunlace fabric is best for wet wipes?
The standard GSM for wet wipes is 40–60 GSM. Baby wipes typically use 40–50 GSM in 100% viscose or 70/30 viscose-polyester. General wet wipes use 50–60 GSM in 50/50 viscose-polyester. Industrial wipes use 60–80 GSM in 30/70 viscose-PET or 100% polyester.
Is spunlace nonwoven fabric biodegradable?
100% viscose spunlace and wood pulp-viscose spunlace are fully biodegradable and compostable. Viscose-polyester blends are partially biodegradable — the viscose content breaks down but the polyester does not. 100% polyester spunlace is not biodegradable. For eco-friendly wipes, choose 100% viscose or wood pulp-viscose spunlace.
What is the minimum order quantity for spunlace nonwoven fabric?
At Favourite Fab, the MOQ for plain spunlace fabric is 1,000 kg. For embossed patterns (pearl, diamond) and apertured spunlace, the MOQ is 5,000 kg. Rolls are available slit to custom widths from 120 mm to 3200 mm. Delivery within India is 2–5 days.
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Favourite Fab supplies bulk spunlace for wet wipes, medical wipes and hygiene products with custom GSM and export quality.
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Gaurav Garg
I'm Gaurav Garg, CEO of Favourite Fab, a company on a mission to revolutionize the nonwoven industry with sustainable practices. We work hand-in-hand with manufacturers and suppliers who share our commitment to eco-friendly production. With a deep interest in textile innovation, I'm passionate about educating consumers about sustainable material options and their potential to transform the nonwoven landscape.
