Environment-friendly fabric and plastic are favored in recent baby bib designs.

A growing number of China baby bib suppliers are investing in environment-friendly materials as heightened awareness over ecological issues spurs demand.

	This baby bib from X.R.F is made of environment-friendly, food-grade silicone. It boasts an adjustable neck closure.

In the past, only a few companies had the ability to yield “green” releases. But as the items continue gaining popularity, more businesses are now adjusting production capacity to increase their output share.

Among the earth-friendly fabrics used in the line are organic cotton, bamboo rayon and charcoal, and soybean and milk protein fibers. The first two are often employed alone in one model, while the remaining textiles are mixed with other materials.

Manufacturers are leveraging the functional aspects of the inputs as well. To illustrate, bamboo rayon boasts anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic qualities, and bamboo charcoal is chosen for its odor resistance and comfort.

Soybean fiber is said to contain 16 amino acids that benefit the skin. Milk protein variants are heat-retentive, air-permeable and withstand pilling.

But because most ecologically safe fabrics come in a limited range of natural colors, many factories still turn to traditional printing and dyeing methods.

Another material alternative is silicone. Regarded as one of the most environment-friendly plastic choices, it is also nontoxic and food-grade. In addition, the input is easily cleaned, durable and lasts longer than rubber.

China-made baby bibs are classified into fabric and nontextile types, with the former representing 80 percent of output. Both versions are available with or without sleeves, and can be printed or embroidered.

Fabric baby bibs are priced from $0.50 to $3.50 per piece, depending on the material used. The most basic kinds are $0.50 to $1, and adopt 80:20 or 70:30 polyester-cotton, or pure cotton. Single jersey and woven constructions weighing 140 to 180gsm are common.

Quoted at $1.10 to $1.80, midrange items utilize 180 to 220gsm combed cotton, or green fibers from bamboo or soybeans. Jersey, interlock and terry knits are available.

Products at $1.90 to $3.50 are considered high-end. Combed and pure cotton, and ecologically safe inputs are employed. The fabric weight is 220 to 250gsm.

Upscale baby bibs are generally compliant with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Earth-friendly pieces are 20 to 100 percent pricier than regular cotton versions due to the costlier material used. To illustrate, conventional cotton is currently $3,765 to $3,840 per ton, while bamboo rayon is $6,150 to $6,200.

Nontextile counterparts are made of PP, PVC, PE, EVA, PEVA or silicone. These utilize similar shapes and printing techniques as fiber versions. Most plastic baby bibs are priced at $0.80 to $2.50. Silicone baby bibs are $2.50 to $3.50.

Product gallery

Product gallery Green Numen Co. Ltd Model: GNBB-1204 MOQ: 2,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Bamboo rayon terry; embroidered motif; 32x38cm Green Numen Co. Ltd Model: GNBB-DKC001 MOQ: 2,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure cotton; scarf design; snap-button closure; allover print; 26x22cm Richforth Garments Co. Model: RGK113-35 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure cotton; 200gsm; yarn-dyed stripes; 32x22cm Richforth Garments Co. Model: RGK113-39 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure cotton; scarf design; checkered; in various sizes X.R.F Silicone Rubber Industry Co. Ltd Model: XRF-Baby01 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure food-grade silicone; crumb catcher; adjustable neck closure; can be rolled up; environment-friendly; dishwasher-safe; for 6 months old and above; free of lead, BPA, phthalates; 20.5x28cm; in various colors; LFGB, FDA X.R.F Silicone Rubber Industry Co. Ltd Model: XRF-Baby02 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure food-grade silicone; crumb catcher; adjustable neck closure; can be rolled up; environment-friendly; dishwasher-safe; for 6 months old and above; free of lead, BPA, phthalates; 20.5x28cm; in various colors; LFGB, FDA X.R.F Silicone Rubber Industry Co. Ltd Model: XRF-Baby03 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure silicone; adjustable neck closure; can be rolled-up; environment-friendly; dishwasher-safe; for 6 months old and above; free of lead, BPA, phthalates; 20.5x28cm; LFGB, FDA Xiamen Reely Industrial Co. Ltd Model: 2 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Pure cotton interlock; 180gsm; embroidered motif; in various sizes Xiamen Reely Industrial Co. Ltd Model: 3 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: 80:20 cotton-polyester; 220gsm; embroidered motif; in various sizes Note: This article "Baby bib factories increase use of 'green' materials" was originally published by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research. All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed. Disclaimer: All product images are provided by the companies interviewed and are for reference purposes only. Those product images featuring products with trademarks, brand names or logos are not intended for sale. We, our affiliates, and our affiliates' respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents or contractors, do not accept and will not have any responsibility or liability for product images (or any part thereof) which infringe on any intellectual property or other rights of a third party.