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OXCO. Powering the Future with Nonwoven Innovation
Nonwoven fabrics are quietly becoming essential to the energy sector. Because they can be engineered for specific porosity, density, and fiber composition, they suit demanding environments such as gas turbines, solar modules, and battery systems. At OXCO, that adaptability is the starting point for materials that make energy systems more efficient, sustainable, and reliable.
Market Momentum
Energy storage is scaling faster than almost any other part of the energy sector. Global installations reached a record 112 GW in 2025, and BloombergNEF expects a further 41% jump in 2026. GlobalData projects battery storage capacity will grow sixfold between 2025 and 2030, driven by electrification, industry, and data centers. Every one of those systems depends on engineered materials that have to perform reliably for years, and that is where nonwovens come in.
Energy Storage
Battery components. Nonwovens contribute to thermal management, cushioning, and protection inside packs. As storage scales up, materials that resist heat, absorb vibration, and prevent contamination become a safety differentiator. The industry is also shifting from two-hour to four-hour systems, which means more cycling and more thermal load on every component.
Data centers and backup power. Energy storage is expanding beyond uninterruptible power as AI data centers consume a growing share of grid capacity. That is good news for both lithium-ion and lead acid, since telecom, data center, and grid backup applications continue to support stationary demand.
Flooded lead acid batteries. Lead acid remains the most widely recycled battery chemistry in the world, and it still anchors automotive starting, backup power, and stationary energy storage. Flooded designs are estimated to hold close to 64% of the lead acid market in 2026, thanks to their cost-effectiveness in automotive and industrial use. Electrification of two- and three-wheelers across Asia is adding demand, and manufacturers continue to advance enhanced flooded and VRLA designs for renewable storage and backup systems. Nonwovens play a quiet but critical role in making these batteries, and as energy storage scales, consistent plate quality becomes a direct driver of battery life and recyclability.
Battery pasting paper
Pasting paper is applied to freshly pasted plates, where it holds the active material in place during handling and curing, keeps plates from sticking together, and supports the adhesion that determines how long a plate performs. The paper has to be chemically clean, because trace chlorides and metals can shorten battery life. OXCO is a global leader in high-quality, economical pasting papers for lead acid battery manufacturers, and our paper has been an industry standard for over 20 years.
Energy Efficiency
Insulation materials. Thermal insulation keeps systems efficient and protects sensitive components from heat.
Filtration systems. Nonwoven filter media keep contaminants out of power generation equipment and extend service life.
Acoustic barriers. Nonwovens absorb sound and vibration in turbines and other energy infrastructure.
Their ability to resist heat, absorb vibration, and prevent contamination makes them valuable in both conventional and renewable energy equipment.
Renewable Energy
Wind turbine components. Nonwovens are used in composite blade construction and in insulation for turbines. Demand is driven by the need for lightweight, durable materials in turbine manufacturing. OXCO’s engineered materials help blades and enclosures stand up to years of mechanical and environmental stress.
Solar panel materials. Nonwovens act as backing and internal layers in modules, and glass fiber nonwovens improve panel strength, thermal management, and weather resistance. Coatings that add UV resistance and fire safety extend module life, which matters for infrastructure built to last decades. As solar and wind take a larger share of the grid, storage becomes the partner technology that makes them dispatchable.
The OXCO Advantage
As energy technology evolves, the materials inside it must keep pace. OXCO combines nonwoven engineering with a collaborative approach, working with customers to tune performance, durability, and cost for their specific application. Whether you’re building the next generation of batteries, turbines, or solar systems, we’d welcome the conversation.
Ready to power what’s next? Contact OXCO to discuss your energy application.