Non-woven bag machines

A non-woven bag machine unwinds polypropylene non-woven fabric, folds and gussets it, then seals and cuts each bag with ultrasonic welding instead of stitching. Choose a D-cut line for the simplest punched-handle bags, a flat bag line with online loop handles for classic shoppers, and a box bag line for gusseted retail and grocery bags.

How a non-woven bag machine works

The fabric roll sits on an unwind with automatic tension control and edge correction. The web is folded to form a reinforced mouth, a bottom gusset can be tucked in, and photocells track the print so each seal lands in the right place. Ultrasonic horns vibrate at high frequency against an anvil; the vibration creates local heat that fuses the fibres without thread or glue. A cutter separates the bags, and on handle lines a second unit cuts handle strips from a narrower roll and welds them onto each bag.

Because nothing is sewn, output is set by the machine rather than by operators at sewing stations. That is the main reason converters move from manual or semi-automatic workshops to roll-fed lines.

Main machine types

D-cut lines

The Zhengxin ZXL-B700 makes the simplest format. It folds the mouth ultrasonically, can insert a bottom gusset without waste, seals and cuts each bag with photocell tracking, and punches the D-shaped handle opening in the same pass. It also makes drawstring and shoe bags. At 12 kW and 2,200 kg it is the lightest line in this category.

Flat bags with online loop handles

Loop handles were traditionally fixed on a separate machine. The Zhengxin ZXL-D700 welds soft loop handles onto each bag inside the line, and it can switch to W-cut, D-cut and drawstring bags. Zhengxin lists 30 to 100 g/m² for the bag fabric, 50 to 100 g/m² for the handle strip and handle lengths of 380 to 600 mm.

Box bags

Box bags stand up and carry bulky goods, and they take the most machine. The Oyang Smart 17 Leader forms the box bag and attaches loop handles in one continuous run at 90 to 100 bags per minute, with automatic handle centring, bag mouth correction and stored job settings. It works with printed or plain, laminated or non-laminated fabric, but it draws 55 kW, weighs 10,000 kg and is 11 m long.

How to choose: key specs explained

• Bag format and size range. Match width, height, gusset and handle length to your orders. The Smart 17 Leader, for example, covers bags 100 to 500 mm wide and 180 to 450 mm high.
• Fabric weight (g/m²). This is the range the ultrasonic system can weld reliably. Heavier fabric makes a stronger bag but needs more welding energy. Some builders list a higher ceiling for laminated fabric, such as 70 to 140 g/m², than for plain fabric.
• Handle system. Online loop handles remove a separate step and the labour that goes with it. Check the handle strip weight range as well as the bag fabric range.
• Realistic speed. Makers quote a range, such as 40 to 120 bags per minute, because speed falls as bags get larger and heavier. Ask for the rate on your bag.
• Print registration. Pre-printed fabric needs photocell tracking so seals and handles line up with the artwork.
• Changeover. Touch screen recipes and servo adjustment shorten size changes on short runs.

What your plant needs

• Power. Published totals are 12 kW for the ZXL-B700, 15 kW for the ZXL-D700 and 55 kW for the Smart 17 Leader. Zhengxin lists 380 V or 220 V supply, so plan a transformer for 600 V plants; see our 600 V power guide.
• Compressed air. Folding, punching and handle units use pneumatics. Confirm air consumption in the quote and size the compressor for it.
• Floor space. Allow about 8 m of length for the ZXL-B700, 10 m for the ZXL-D700 and 11 x 4.9 m for the Smart 17 Leader, plus fabric roll storage (rolls of 500 to 1,300 mm width on the Zhengxin lines) and packing space. Our floor preparation guide covers the rest.
• Fabric supply and printing. Most converters buy non-woven rolls. Printed bags need pre-printed or laminated fabric, or a separate printing step.

Running costs

Fabric is the dominant cost, and it scales with grams per square metre times bag area. Choosing the lightest fabric that still meets your durability target is the biggest single lever. Other cost drivers:

• Handle strip fabric and the punch-out waste from D-cut and W-cut handles.
• Electricity, which is far higher on box bag lines than on flat bag lines.
• Wear on ultrasonic horns, anvils and cutting knives.
• Setup scrap on size and print changes.
• Labour for counting, packing and any off-line handle work.

Applications and the Canadian bag rules

Non-woven lines make reusable grocery and retail bags, promotional and event bags, clothing and gift bags, food take-away bags, and drawstring and shoe bags. For Canadian sales, the key point is that non-woven polypropylene is a plastic fabric. Under the federal Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, a checkout bag made of plastic fabric counts as single-use, and is prohibited, if it breaks or tears when used to carry 10 kg over 53 m 100 times, or when washed once under ISO 6330. A non-woven checkout bag sold in Canada therefore has to pass both tests, which puts fabric weight, seam welds and handle attachment at the centre of product design. As of 2026 the regulations remain in force after the Federal Court of Appeal upheld their legal basis in January 2026. Read the single-use plastics guide for detail, and compare material options in paper vs plastic vs non-woven bag machines.