Nonwoven Fabrics Market Outlook - 2030
The global nonwoven fabrics market size was valued at $38.3 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $68.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2021 to 2030. The expansion of the disposable products industry, particularly in hygiene and medical applications, is a key driver for the nonwoven fabrics market. The increasing demand for items such as diapers, sanitary napkins, wipes, and surgical masks, fueled by rising population, urbanization, and heightened hygiene awareness, has significantly boosted the consumption of nonwoven fabric market.
Introduction
Nonwoven fabrics are a type of textile material that is created by bonding fibers together through mechanical, thermal, or chemical processes, rather than traditional weaving or knitting techniques. As compared to woven fabrics, which are made by interlacing threads in a structured pattern, nonwovens are produced by directly fusing fibers, such as polyester, polypropylene, or cellulose, into a sheet. These fabrics are often made from short fibers, filaments, or a combination of both, which are arranged in layers to form a cohesive material.
Market Dynamics
Nonwoven fabric refers to cohesive fabric-like textile manufactured by arranging fibers together using heat, chemicals, or pressure. Some of the commonly used production methods include fiber entanglement and chemical and thermal bonding of materials, such as olefin, polyester, and rayon. In comparison to the traditionally used fabrics, such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk, nonwoven fabrics are lighter and do not require weaving or knitting to manufacture interlinings, insulation & protection clothing, industrial workwear, chemical defense suits, and footwear. As a result, they find extensive applications across various industries, such as personal care & hygiene, automotive, healthcare, building & construction, and filtration.
The growth of the global nonwoven fabrics market is primarily driven by development of the textile industry across the globe. Furthermore, COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe; thus, the demand for nonwoven hygiene products has increased substantially in the healthcare centers. For instance, nonwoven fabrics are widely used to manufacture healthcare essentials, such as face masks, isolation gowns, drapes, single-use caps, and shoe & headcovers, which is expected to notably contribute toward the growth of the global market. In addition, the widespread adoption of these fabrics for the production of lightweight automobile components is fosters the nonwoven fabrics market growth. Furthermore, various product innovations such as the development of smart nonwoven fabrics and blast-resistant curtains are acting as growth-inducing factors. These textiles expand under tension, thereby absorbing shockwaves and catching flying debris; thus, they find their application in building & construction and automotive industries. Technological advancements in manufacturing technologies and increase in R&D activities in the production of environment-friendly fabrics further are anticipated to drive the market growth, globally.
However, fluctuating raw material prices are a significant restraint on the growth of the nonwoven fabrics market. Nonwoven fabric production relies heavily on synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene and polyester, which are derived from petrochemical products. These raw materials are susceptible to price volatility due to factors like changes in oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. When raw material costs increase, manufacturers face higher production expenses, which may lead to higher prices for nonwoven fabrics. All these factors hamper the growth of the nonwoven fabrics market.
Technological advancements in nonwoven fabric production are creating significant opportunities in the market by improving the efficiency, quality, and versatility of these materials. Innovations such as spunbond, meltblown, and airlaid technologies enable manufacturers to produce nonwovens with enhanced properties, such as better strength, softness, and durability. In addition, advancements in automation and digitalization are reducing production costs and improving scalability, making nonwoven fabrics more accessible for various applications. All these factors are anticipated to drive the nonwoven fabrics market.
Segment Overview
The global nonwoven fabrics market size is segmented into polymer type, technology, function, technology, application, and region. By polymer type, the market is categorized into polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), wood pulp, rayon, and others. On the basis of function, it is bifurcated into disposable and durables. Depending on technology, it is segregated into spunbond, wet laid, dry laid, and air laid. The applications covered in the study include hygiene, medical, filtration, automotive, building & construction, and others. Region wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market, By Region
Asia-Pacific accounted for a major market share in 2020, owing to factors such as strengthening global economy, expanding working population, rising domestic demand for hygiene products. The demand for nonwoven fabrics in region is growing in the automobile, agriculture, geotextiles, industrial/military, medical/healthcare, and construction industries, due to unique functional properties offered by nonwoven fabrics, such as hygiene & safety, cost-effectiveness, durability, strength, lightweight, versatility, user-friendliness, environmental-friendliness, and logistical convenience.
By Region
Asia-Pacific would exhibit an CAGR of 6.6% during 2021-2030
Nonwoven Fabrics Market, By Polymer Type
The polypropylene (PP) segment accounted for a major share in the nonwoven fabrics market in 2020, owing to increase in penetration of polypropylene nonwoven fabrics in geotextiles, owing to their properties such as high tear & puncture resistance, temperature fluctuation tolerance, and durability. Moreover, high product demand from the hygiene industry for the manufacturing of sanitary products for babies, women, and adults is projected to propel industry growth. Furthermore, rise in consumer awareness about personal hygiene has resulted in increased demand for sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinence products, and dry & wet wipes, thereby driving the market. Increase in demand for protective clothing is further expected to have a positive impact on market development. These products offer high standards of protection, barrier qualities, and prevent penetration of dust particles and microorganisms.
By Polymer Type
Polypropylene (PP) is projected as the most lucrative segment.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market, By Function
The durable segment accounted for a major share in the nonwoven fabrics market in 2020. Increase in construction spending in the emerging markets such as Brazil, China, and India has led to rise in demand for geotextiles in roads and buildings, which, in turn, is expected to drive the demand for nonwovens in durable applications.
By Function
Durables is projected as the most lucrative segment.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market, By Technology
The spunbond segment accounted for a major share in the nonwoven fabrics market in 2020, owing to increase in the demand for these spunbond nonwovens across various applications in hygiene products, construction, coating substrates, agriculture, battery separators, wipes, and filtration. In addition, spunbond is one of the most preferred technologies through which nonwoven fabrics can be produced in higher quantities.
By Technology
Spunbond is projected as the most lucrative segment.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market, By Application
The hygiene accounted for a major nonwoven fabrics market share in 2020. Nonwovens are used as an alternative to traditional textiles in hygiene products due to their superior absorption properties, softness, smoothness, strength, comfort & fit, stretchability, and cost-effectiveness. Owing to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for nonwoven fabrics for hygiene applications is accelerating, bringing more opportunities for the manufacturers operating in the nonwoven hygiene products.
By Application
Hygiene is projected as the most lucrative segment.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
- The global nonwoven fabrics market analysis covers in-depth information of major industry participants.
- Porter’s five forces analysis help analyze potential of buyers & suppliers and the competitive scenario of the industry for strategy building.
- Major countries have been mapped according to their individual revenue contribution to the regional market.
- The report provides in-depth analysis of the global nonwoven fabrics market forecast for the period 2021–2030.
- The report outlines the current global nonwoven fabrics market trends and future scenario of the global nonwoven fabrics market from 2020 to 2030 to understand the prevailing opportunities and potential investment pockets.
- Key drivers, restraints, & opportunities and their detailed impact analysis are explained in the global nonwoven fabrics market study.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market Report Highlights
| Aspects | Details |
 By POLYMER TYPE |
|
 By FUNCTION |
|
 By TECHNOLOGY |
|
 By APPLICATION |
|
 By Region |
|
 Key Market Players | Lydall Inc., SUOMINEN CORPORATION, GLATFELTER, AHLSTROM-MUNKSJO, BERRY GLOBAL INC., FITESA, JOHNS MANVILLE, DUPONT, KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION, TORAY INDUSTRIES INC. |
Analyst Review
According to the analyst, the global nonwoven fabrics market is anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period, driven by rise in product demand across various end-use industries, including hygiene, medical, automotive, agriculture, and furnishing. Rapid technological advancements and innovations in this field, such as the design of nonwoven fabrics with skincare and softness, have propelled the market growth. In addition, increase in demand for protective clothing is anticipated to have a positive impact on market development. This is attributed to the fact that nonwoven fabrics offer high strength, barrier qualities, and prevent penetration of dust particles and microorganisms. Furthermore, the enhanced focus of manufacturers on the production of specialty products using the most cost-effective, productive, and simple technology called spunbond is likely to spur market growth. This factor is expected to notably contribute toward the market growth during the forecast period.
However, volatility in raw material prices is expected to hamper the growth of the nonwoven fabrics market during the forecast period. Conversely, proliferation of new technologies is expected to provide growth opportunities for the nonwoven fabrics market during the forecast period.
Increased demand for nonwovens in healthcare industry, growing demand for nonwoven fabrics in textile industry, demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient transportation vehicles, and 3.7.3.1. Proliferation of new technologies are the driving factors and opportunities in the nonwoven fabrics market.
Product launch, business expansion, and acquisition are the key growth strategies of nonwoven fabrics market players.
Asia-pacific region will provide more business opportunities for nonwoven fabrics in future.
Ahlstrom-Munksjo, Berry Global Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Glatfelter, DuPont, Toray Industries Inc., Lydall Inc., Fitesa, Suominen Corporation, Johns Manville are the leading global players in the nonwoven fabrics market.
Polypropylene (PP) segment holds the maximum share of the nonwoven fabrics market.
Hygiene, medical, filtration product companies, and automotive and building & construction companies across the globe are the potential customers of nonwoven fabrics industry.
The global nonwoven fabrics market was valued at $38.3 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $68.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2021 to 2030.
The global nonwoven fabrics market analysis covers in-depth information of major industry participants, Porter’s five forces analysis help analyze potential of buyers & suppliers and the competitive scenario of the industry for strategy building, major countries have been mapped according to their individual revenue contribution to the regional market, the report provides in-depth analysis of the global nonwoven fabrics market forecast for the period 2021–2030, the report outlines the current global nonwoven fabrics market trends and future scenario of the global nonwoven fabrics market from 2020 to 2030 to understand the prevailing opportunities and potential investment pockets, and key drivers, restraints, & opportunities and their detailed impact analysis are explained in the global nonwoven fabrics market study.
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