Nonwoven Fabrics Market

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Size:

The global nonwoven fabrics market size reached US$ 45.3 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 73.8 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during 2024-2032. The market is primarily driven by the rising demand in medical, hygiene, and automotive sectors, various innovations in eco-friendly materials, and growing beauty and personal care products.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The need for nonwoven textiles is rising owing to the construction, automotive, and healthcare sectors growth. Furthermore, the growing demand for medical items, particularly during and after COVID-19, and improved awareness about cleanliness have greatly increased product demand.
• Key Market Trends: The industry is shaped by technological developments in production processes, such as automation and the use of recycled materials. In line with international environmental initiatives, the increasing need for eco-friendly and sustainable nonwoven textiles are major trends propelling the market growth.
• Geographical Trends: Asia-Pacific nonwoven textiles market is driven by high population density, increasing industrialization, and robust production facilities. Besides, Europe and North America are driven by automotive and healthcare industries significant growth.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the leading nonwoven fabrics companies include Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, Berry Global Group Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Fitesa S.A. and Affiliates (Petropar SA), Freudenberg Performance Materials SE & Co. KG, Johns Manville Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway), Kimberly-Clark Corporation, PFNonwovens Czech s.r.o. (PFNonwovens Holding s.r.o), Suominen Oyj, Toray Industries Inc., and TWE GmbH & Co. KG., among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The market is faced with challenges from strict environmental rules and growing raw material costs. On the other hand, the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly goods and advancements in production methods represent vast opportunities for companies to increase their market share.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Trends:

Rising Demand from Healthcare and Hygiene Sectors

The market for nonwoven textiles is expanding due to the rise of the hygiene and healthcare industries. In addition, the need for disposable medical supplies including masks, gowns, and surgical drapes surged globally, particularly during the epidemic. The American Medical Association reports that in 2022, US health spending reached $4.5 Trillion, or $13,493 per person, an increase of 4.1%. Additionally, health spending made up 17.3% of the nation's GDP in 2022. Moreover, the demand for medical-grade masks and personal protective equipment has grown due to the recent rapid expansion, which has resulted in a significant increase in the use of nonwoven materials. As healthcare systems across the globe continue to focus on preventing infections and ensuring patient safety, nonwoven fabrics have become essential due to their high filtration efficiency, breathability, and cost-effectiveness. Besides, healthcare facilities are increasingly focusing on infection control and single-use products, and the trend of disposable items in healthcare environments, motivated by hygiene and cross-contamination issues, has further widened the market and will continue to shape healthcare sectors post-pandemic. Furthermore, the increasing awareness regarding personal hygiene in developing economies is increasing the adoption of nonwoven medical products, thus propelling nonwoven fabrics market growth on a global scale.

Growth in Personal Care Products

The growing demand for personal care products is influencing the nonwoven fabrics market. According to the IMARC Group, the global market for beauty and personal care products reached a value of US$ 506.2 Billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow to US$ 759.3 Billion by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 4.5% between 2024 and 2032. Additionally, the increasing awareness about health and hygiene is escalating the nonwoven fabrics demand as nonwovens are soft and gentle on the skin, making them ideal for products like baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence items. Their texture helps provide comfort during prolonged use. Furthermore, government initiatives promoting hygiene standards and better living conditions are driving the adoption of nonwoven fabrics in various personal care applications.

Significant Expansion in the Automotive Industry

According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), Indian market captures the third position in the international market for heavy vehicles. India is the largest tractor manufacturer and second-largest bus manufacturer and third-largest heavy truck maker. For the fiscal year of 2023, India produced 25.9 million vehicles. The economy of the country is supported by healthy internal demand coupled with large export volumes. Passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and quadricycles have collectively managed to achieve a production output of 2,358,041 units as of April 2024. Besides, India's total vehicle exports for the fiscal year 2023 were 4,761,487 units. Another important factor that drives the market is the growing usage of nonwoven fabrics by the automotive sector for applications such as insulation, filtration, and upholstery. These materials are lightweight, strong, and possess good thermal and acoustic insulation properties, making them more suitable for the interior of automobiles. Since car manufacturers are always on the lookout for sustainable materials that are offered at minimal costs, nonwoven textiles will be more recurrent in the future of car production, thus creating a positive nonwoven fabrics market outlook.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on material type, technology and application.

Breakup by Material Type:

• Polyester
• Polypropylene
• Polyethylene
• Rayon
• Others
   

Polypropylene accounts for the majority of the market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the material type. This includes polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, rayon, and others. According to the report, polypropylene represented the largest segment.

The report for the nonwoven fabrics market reveals that polypropylene is the fastest-growing segment and is gaining the lead owing to the rising demand. It is cost-effective and versatile in use for numerous applications. It is commonly employed in hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, and medical supplies like masks and gowns, with several industrial applications. Its lightweight and durable properties are essential for producing high-quality, disposable nonwoven fabrics. Moreover, the rising demand due to polypropylene's chemical resistance and eco-friendly recycling options are influencing the market growth. As the requirements for sustainable disposable products increase, polypropylene continues to generate a favorable nonwoven fabrics market revenue.

Breakup by Technology:

• Spun Bond
• Wet Laid
• Dry Laid
• Others
   

Spun bond holds the largest share of the industry

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the technology have also been provided in the report. This includes spun bond, wet laid, dry laid, and others. According to the report, spun bond accounted for the largest market share.

Spun bond technology holds the largest market share owing to its versatility, affordability, and various uses. Additionally, spun bond nonwovens are produced by extruding filaments that are laid into a web and then bonded, creating durable, lightweight, and breathable fabrics. Spun bond fabrics are ideal for use in packaging, medical textiles, and hygiene goods owing to their value. Hence, major firms are launching sophisticated product variations to address these demands. As per the nonwoven fabrics market recent opportunities, on 28 August 2024, Welspun Living, a division of the Welspun Group known for its leadership in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, entered into a strategic alliance with Avgol Industries. This partnership aims to promote sustainable practices within the nonwoven fabric sector. Avgol, recognized for its expertise in high-performance spun-melt nonwoven fabrics, is part of Indorama Ventures Group, which collaborates exclusively with Polymateria. Polymateria is a UK-based tech firm renowned for pioneering biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics.

Breakup by Application:

• Personal Care and Hygiene
• Filtration
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Building and Construction
• Others
   

Personal care and hygiene represents the leading market segment 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application. This includes personal care and hygiene, filtration, healthcare, automotive, building and construction, and others. According to the report, personal care and hygiene represented the largest segment.

Personal care and hygiene hold the largest market share due to the extensive use of nonwoven materials in products like diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence items. Additionally, the growing awareness about personal hygiene, especially in developing regions, along with rising birth rates and an aging population are escalating the demand for these products. Moreover, the nonwoven fabrics market forecast highlights continued growth due to increasing preference for disposable, eco-friendly hygiene products, which increased the need for nonwoven fabrics in this segment. For instance, on 1 November 2023, WPT Nonwovens was thrilled to participate in Hygienix 2023, scheduled for November 13 to 16 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event is hosted by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) and Cotton Incorporated. Additionally, hygienix offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and education, as the premier event for the absorbent hygiene and personal care industries.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

Asia Pacific leads the market, accounting for the largest nonwoven fabrics market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific was the largest regional market for nonwoven fabrics.

According to the nonwoven fabrics market overview, Asia Pacific is primarily driven by the increasing demand from industries such as healthcare, automotive, and textiles in emerging economies like China, India, and Southeast Asia. Additionally, the rising healthcare standards, expanding automotive production, and the ongoing shift toward disposable textiles in consumer and industrial applications are influencing the market growth. For instance, on 19 September 2024, Asahi Kasei Corp., a company based in Tokyo, Japan, announced the introduction of a new variant of LASTAN, a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric designed to boost electric vehicle (EV) battery safety. This innovative material offers enhanced resistance to flames and debris impact, making it an ideal choice for applications such as top covers and busbar protection sleeves in EV battery packs. The fabric’s flexibility and superior protective qualities position it as a prime alternative for thermal runaway protection in the evolving EV market.

Competitive Landscape:

• The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the nonwoven fabrics industry include Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, Berry Global Group Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Fitesa S.A. and Affiliates (Petropar SA), Freudenberg Performance Materials SE & Co. KG, Johns Manville Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway), Kimberly-Clark Corporation, PFNonwovens Czech s.r.o. (PFNonwovens Holding s.r.o), Suominen Oyj, Toray Industries Inc., and TWE GmbH & Co. KG.
  
  (Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)
   
• At present, key players in the nonwoven fabrics market are actively pursuing strategies to enhance market growth through innovation and sustainability. Additionally, various leading players are focusing on developing eco-friendly materials to meet the rising demand for sustainable products, especially in sectors like healthcare and hygiene, which prioritize disposability and environmental impact. Moreover, these companies are expanding their global presence by establishing new production facilities in high-growth regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America. Besides, nonwoven fabrics market recent developments include collaborations and acquisitions, allowing companies to leverage shared technology and market access to optimize their offerings and streamline production processes, thereby reinforcing their positions in the global market. For instance, on 1 February 2023, WPT Nonwovens Corporation declared an investment of $18.5 Million into a new man-made fiber (MMF) nonwoven manufacturing line. The line will be located in a newly built 75,000-square-foot facility owned by WPT Nonwovens.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market News:

• On 12 September 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin revealed that Shalag U.S., Inc., a company specializing in the production of nonwoven fabrics for various manufactured products, is set to invest $16.6 Million in establishing a new manufacturing and production facility in Mecklenburg County.
• 2 May 2024, Suominen Corporation has announced an enhancement and upgrade of a production line at its Bethune, South Carolina facility, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability. This initiative aligns with Suominen's strategic goals and reinforces its ambition to lead in nonwovens innovation and environmental responsibility. The investment is valued at around EUR 10 Million and is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2025.
• 29 February 2024, Freudenberg Performance Materials is introducing a new line of 100 percent synthetic wetlaid nonwovens produced in Germany. This line utilizes various polymer-based fibers, including ultra-fine micro-fibers, to create specialized wetlaid materials suitable for filtration and various industrial uses. This addition enhances Freudenberg's extensive portfolio of high-performance wetlaid nonwoven products.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the nonwoven fabrics market from 2018-2032.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global nonwoven fabrics market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the nonwoven fabrics industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.