By Arun Rao
The sale of sanitary pads and baby diapers in India has been significantly boosted by government campaigns and brand promotions, leading to a surge in demand for nonwoven fabrics. Spunweb Group, a key player in this sector, has experienced exponential growth in recent years driven by the increasing awareness and adoption of hygiene products. Mr. Kishan Kagathara, Sales & Marketing Director at Spunweb Group, shares insights into the company’s expansion, market dynamics, and commitment to quality and sustainability.
Boom in Sanitary Pad Market: A Game Changer for Nonwovens
The Indian hygiene market has experienced significant growth, thanks to government initiatives and aggressive marketing campaigns by brands. According to Mr. Kishan Kagathara, around 45-50 hygiene product converting lines have been set up in India in the last two years, posing strong competition to multinational brands. This increased demand has had a notable impact on the production of nonwoven fabrics, especially for hygiene applications.
Spunweb’s Journey: From Third-Party Manufacturing to Market Leadership
The Kagathara family has been involved in the nonwovens industry since 2005, by initially outsourcing production to third-party facilities. Recognizing the market potential, Spunweb Group established its first nonwoven fabric production line in 2016. “Due to impressive market demand for our quality products, we have expanded our production capacity regularly and now operate five production lines with a capacity of around 3,000 tons per month. As per our understanding, we are one of the largest Indian manufacturers of spunbond nonwoven fabrics,” Mr. Kagathara shared.
Advanced Manufacturing and Diverse Product Range
Operating from a 60,000-square-meter facility in Rajkot, Spunweb proudly operates four production lines equipped with SS technology and a fifth line featuring SSS technology with an online fabric defect detection system. These cutting-edge lines, sourced from Shoyang Textile Machinery in China, enable Spunweb to expertly produce nonwoven fabrics ranging from 7 to 150 GSM. The company supplies specialized fabrics, including hydrophobic, hydrophilic, FR treated, UV Treated, anti-static, and super soft varieties, catering to industries such as hygiene, medical, agriculture, roofing, packaging, and construction.
Quality and Customer Commitment: The Core of Spunweb’s Success
Spunweb is dedicated to maintaining high quality, which is evident in its approach to raw materials and customer service. “We have an in-house R&D laboratory and also utilize facilities like ATIRA and BTRA for testing our products to ensure we are up to date with the best results. Every sample comes with a technical data sheet, providing customers with all the necessary information. If challenges arise, our R&D team is prepared to guide customers in every possible way,” explained Mr. Kagathara. This focus on quality and customer satisfaction has helped Spunweb establish a loyal customer base both domestically and internationally.
Expanding Export Markets and Sustainability Initiatives
Currently, Spunweb exports 30% of its current production to over 13 countries, with the remaining sold in the domestic market. The company offers fabrics in approximately 25 color shades, with custom colors available based on order quantities. In line with its sustainability goals, Spunweb has installed a 1.5 MW rooftop solar plant, covering 7% of its electricity needs.
Spunweb Group’s strategic expansion and unwavering commitment to quality have positioned it as a leader in the nonwoven fabric industry, particularly in the hygiene sector. As the demand for sanitary products and other hygiene applications continues to rise, Spunweb is well-prepared to meet these needs while advancing its sustainability initiatives and expanding its global reach.
