What is spunbond? The difference between non-woven shopping bags and cotton and canvas bags

Cloth-look shopping bags may be made of different structures; From cotton and canvas fabrics to polypropylene non-woven fabrics. Knowing this difference, in addition to choosing a product that fits the needs, is important for evaluating claims related to durability and compatibility with the environment.

At first glance, many reusable shopping bags look similar. Handles for carrying, a flexible body and a surface that can be designed or printed on. However, similar appearance does not necessarily mean identical construction.

Some of these products are made from woven fabrics such as cotton and canvas; On the other hand, another group of non-woven fabrics are produced, in which polypropylene is one of the common raw materials. In the market, this group of products is often known as "spun sack", "spunbond bag" or "spun fabric".

The difference between these products is not only in the name or appearance. The method of forming the woven layer, the method of connecting different parts of the bag and the number of times of use, all play a role in knowing the characteristics of the product. On the other hand, the environmental assessment of these bags also depends on factors beyond their appearance.

What is spunbond and how is it produced?

To understand the difference between spunbond and conventional fabrics, one must first understand the concept of non-woven fabric. According to the international standard ISO 9092:2026, a nonwoven fabric is a fiber structure whose strength and cohesion are created by physical or chemical methods, not by knitting or stretching. Therefore, "non-woven" does not mean that the product lacks fibers or regular structure; The main difference is related to the method of forming and connecting the fiber structure.

Spunbond is one of the non-woven textile production technologies. In the production process of this type of textile, continuous threads are formed from molten polymer and after being placed in the form of a fiber layer, they are connected to each other in a suitable way. Polypropylene is one of the polymers used in the production of these products.

The European Association of Nonwoven Textile Industry, known as EDANA, describes the three main stages of layer formation, fiber connection and product completion in explaining the production process of nonwoven textiles. The connection method can be different according to the type of fibers and the required characteristics of the product.

For this reason, spunbond is the name of a production method, not a general name for all nonwovens. Also, any product that looks like fabric is not necessarily made in the same way.

The difference between a spunbond bag and a cotton and canvas bag

One of the main differences between these products is the structure of the raw material. Conventional fabrics, such as many cotton and canvas fabrics, are produced by interlacing threads in the weaving process. On the other hand, non-woven fabric is created by forming and connecting a fiber layer.

This difference alone does not mean the superiority of one of the two groups. The final characteristics of each bag depend on the type of raw material, woven structure, weight and thickness, manufacturing method and the quality of connecting its different parts.

For example, in a bag with a handle, only the body of the product is not important. The place where the handles are connected, the quality of sewing or thermal bonding, the shape of the bottom of the bag and the amount of load bearing also play a role in its performance. Therefore, comparing two products based solely on their surface appearance or touch cannot provide a complete picture of quality.

In a research published in 2012, the environmental performance of shopping bags made of polypropylene non-woven fabric with two production methods, i.e. conventional sewing and thermal bonding, was investigated. The researchers studied the differences related to the manufacturing process of these products by using the life cycle assessment method. The results of the same research, for the examined products, were in favor of the conventional sewing method; But this result cannot be generalized to all spunbond bags without examining other products and production conditions.

This study shows an important point: even when two products are made from the same raw material, the difference in the production method can be effective in evaluating their performance.

Is a cloth bag always a better choice for the environment?

The fact that a bag can be used multiple times does not in itself prove that its environmental impact is lower than other alternatives in all circumstances. In its 2020 report titled Single-use Plastic Bags and their Alternatives: Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessments, the United Nations Environment Program reviewed life cycle assessment studies on plastic bags and alternatives such as cotton and paper bags. The general conclusion of this report is that alternatives to plastic bags also have environmental effects and do not necessarily perform better in all indicators.

Life cycle assessment or LCA is a method to examine the effects of a product from the stages of raw material supply and production to transportation, use and end of life. This approach helps to consider a set of environmental stages and indicators instead of judging based on a single feature.

For example, producing a bag may require raw materials and energy; Durability and the number of times the product replaces other bags are also important in the use phase. At the end of life, the method of disposal or recycling and the facilities available in each area can affect the result.

Hence, expressions such as "completely environmentally friendly" or "the best alternative to plastic" are not sufficient for scientific judgment without specifying the conditions of comparison, evaluation indicators and assumptions of the study.

What does a study say about polypropylene bags?

In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, researchers compared the environmental impact of several types of shopping bags in a Singapore case study.

The investigated options included single-use plastic bags, paper, cotton and reusable bags made of polypropylene non-woven fabric. Based on the modeling of this research, the non-woven polypropylene reusable bag in the 50 times use scenario had the least overall negative effect among the investigated options. However, the study focused on the specific conditions of Singapore, including the structure of waste management and the characteristics of transportation and production.

Therefore, the number 50 in this research should not be considered as a fixed rule for all spunbond bags in all countries. The result of the evaluation depends on the assumptions of the model, the type of bags compared, the carrying capacity, the way of use and the end of life conditions of the product.

Another study, published by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, examined 16 environmental indicators for shopping bags available in stores in the country in the fall of 2017. Such studies show the importance of multi-faceted evaluation: a product may perform well in one index, but record a different result in another index.

What points should be considered when choosing a shopping bag?

To compare shopping bags, it is better to check some practical criteria instead of relying on the generic name of the product.

Raw material type and structure: Knowing whether the product is made of cotton, tarpaulin or polypropylene non-woven fabric allows for a more accurate comparison. A trade name or common market term alone is not a substitute for technical specifications.

Construction quality: The strength of the joints of the handles, seams or thermal joints, the quality of the floor and the overall structure of the product are important in its practical evaluation. The amount of load bearing should also be checked based on the actual specifications of the product.

Suitability: A bag designed to carry light items is not necessarily suitable for heavier loads. The dimensions, capacity, type of use and the possibility of maintaining or cleaning the product should be suitable to the needs of the consumer.

Actual use and end of life: The potential benefit of a reusable bag can be assessed when it is actually used many times. In addition to the frequency of use, the final disposal method and the possibility of recycling according to the type of product are also important.

These criteria help consumers differentiate between product appearance, manufacturing quality, and environmental claims. None of these features stand alone as a substitute for a thorough examination of product performance.

summary; The name of the product is not enough to judge

The term cloth bag or cloth bag in everyday use may refer to products with different structures. A cotton or canvas bag and a bag made of polypropylene non-woven fabric, despite the similarity in appearance and common function, do not necessarily have the same materials and production methods.

Knowing the spanband helps to better understand this difference; But choosing the right product or evaluating its environmental effects requires the consideration of more factors. The type of raw material, production method, manufacturing quality, frequency of use and waste management conditions should be considered together.

Ultimately, the more precise question isn't which bag looks simply more "clothier" or "greener"; Rather, it is how each product is made, for what purpose it is designed and how it performs during its real life.