Driven by the ‘double carbon’ goal, consumers are demanding more environmentally friendly cleaning products. With 100% bio-based materials and fully degradable properties, natural plant-based wipes have become a new trend in the global cleaning market. This article will reveal how these products are reshaping the cleaning industry from the technical principles, practical applications and industry trends.
Traditional wipes rely on petroleum-based chemical fibres (e.g. polypropylene), while plant-based wipes use renewable resources such as wood pulp, bamboo fibres and corn starch. Through bio-fermentation technology, plant-based raw materials are converted into polymers, retaining the toughness of the wipes and giving them natural antibacterial properties.
Home composting: complies with TÜV OK Compost HOME standard and can be mixed directly into food waste for disposal.
Natural antibacterial ingredients such as tea tree essential oil and aloe vera extract are added, which are not only gentle and skin-friendly, but also can be used in segmented scenarios such as fruit and vegetable cleaning, pet care, etc., expanding the boundaries of the use of wet wipes.
Ingredient labelling: clearly marked ‘100% plant-based’ ‘PE/PP-free’, be alert to vague expressions such as ‘environmentally friendly formula’.
Degradation test: bury the wipes in moist soil and observe whether they completely decompose within 3 months.
Outdoor portable: independent small package, reduce resource waste.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive requires biodegradable packaging to account for 30% by 2025, and China's ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ explicitly supports the development of bio-based materials, with headline companies such as Kimberly-Clark and Vinda launching plant-based wet wipes product lines.
Nielsen data show that 68% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products. The search volume of ‘plant-based wipes’ on Xiaohongshu platform has increased by 210% annually, and Generation Z has become the core purchasing power.
Intelligent packaging: add humidity-sensitive labels to remind users to replace them in time.
The rise of natural plant-based wipes marks a shift in the cleaning industry from ‘function-first’ to ‘sustainability-first’. Choosing truly eco-friendly products is not only a commitment to the planet, but also a test of corporate social responsibility.