Steady Growth & Mild Export Recovery: China’s Industrial Textiles Industry Q1-Q3 2025 Summary
Nov 07, 2025
China's industrial textiles industry maintained stability in the first three quarters of 2025, with slower production and economic growth balanced by a mild export rebound. The industry prosperity index hit 63.3 (up 8.7 points from H1), per the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).
Core Production Trend
- Nonwovens: Output of above-scale enterprises rose 5% year-on-year (Jan-Sept), with monthly average output 12.2% higher than Q2-following a "strong start, pullback, stabilization" trajectory.
- Cord Fabric: Demand softened, with output down 1.7% year-on-year (Jan-Sept) amid negative growth.
Economic Performance (Above-Scale Enterprises)
Overall, operating income grew 1.6% year-on-year, total profits 0.3%, and the profit margin stood at 3.7% (down 0.1pp). The loss ratio narrowed to 24.2% (down 2.6pp from Q2), though profit growth remains under pressure.
Segment-Specific Performance (Jan-Sept)
| Segment | Operating Income YoY | Total Profits YoY | Profit Margin | Margin Change YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonwovens | +2.9% | +7.4% | 2.8% | +0.1pp |
| Ropes/Cables/Cords | +10.6% | +12.9% | 3.3% | +0.1pp |
| Textile Belts & Cord Fabric | +4.4% | +15.1% | 3.2% | +0.3pp |
| Tents & Canvas | -5.8% | -12.6% | 4.2% | -0.3pp |
| Filtration/Geotextiles (Others) | -1.1% | -6.9% | 5.7% | - |
Listed Companies Outperform
35 related listed firms saw revenue +12.9% YoY and profits +29.8% YoY (growth expanding from Q2). Nonwovens/medical textile makers thrived, while synthetic leather textile firms faced sharp profit drops.
International Trade: Imports & Exports Both Up
- Total Exports: $31.82 billion (+2.9% YoY); Total Imports: $4.09 billion (+4.6% YoY).
Key Export Products (Jan-Sept)
| Product | Export Value | YoY Change | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Coated Fabrics | $3.82 billion | +1.5% | Top export product |
| Nonwovens Rolls | $3.18 billion | +6.7% | Export volume +13% (1.256M tons) |
| Disposable Hygiene Products | $2.87 billion | +12% | Includes diapers, sanitary napkins |
| Felt/Tents | $2.86 billion | -6.9% | Continued contraction |
| Wet Wipes | $790 million | +17.7% | Strong growth |
| Medical Dressings | $810 million | +0.7% | Stable demand |
Exports to Major Markets
| Market | YoY Change | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | +17.4% | Robust demand |
| Vietnam | +2.8% | Stable supply chain ties |
| Japan | +1.8% | Steady orders |
| South Korea | +0.7% | Mild growth |
| U.S. | -5.4% | Tariff policy impact |
| India | -1% | Slight decline |
The industry showed resilience amid headwinds, with export recovery and segment strengths (e.g., ropes, nonwovens) supporting stability. Future growth will hinge on consolidating domestic demand and adapting to global supply chain shifts.
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