Nonwoven Fabrics Market is Expected to Reach $68.1 Billion by 2030

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Global Nonwoven Fabrics Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030,”

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.

Nonwoven fabric is defined as sheet or web structure bonded together by entangling fiber or filaments mechanically, thermally, or chemically. They are flat, porous sheets made directly from separate fibers or molten plastic or plastic film.

The demand of nonwoven fabrics in the automotive and transportation industries is increasing for manufacturing parts such as column padding, anti-rattle pads, battery separators, boats, car mats, console box linings, covering materials, panel trims, wheel-well acoustic reinforcements, headliners backing, upholstery backings, window frames, and various filters. Nonwovens are used for primary backings, secondary backings, and trunk liners, as they exhibit moldability, flame retardancy, sterility acoustic insulation, absorbency filtration, liquid repellency, and bacterial barrier. Nonwovens are further being widely used in the transportation sector to reinforce tires, as they extend the life of the tire, provide strength & durability, and are lightweight and cost-effective. Thus, all these factors collectively are anticipated to drive the growth of the global nonwoven fabric market.

The demand for nonwoven fabrics is increasing significantly in the geotextile, medical, packaging, electronics, hygiene, and construction industries for greenhouse shading, artificial turf, pavement overlays, fuel cells, sterile packaging, swabs, cable wrap, roadway reinforcements, battery separators, drapes, drainage, and erosion control applications. Nonwoven fabric-based geotextiles are flexible and textile-like polymer fabrics of controlled permeability due to which they are being widely used in the construction of roads and for land reclamation. Moreover, nonwoven fabric reusable bags have gained high traction among consumers as part of the earth-friendly movement, as they are lightweight, sturdy, and cut down on the number of plastic bags being used. Rise in demand of nonwoven geotextiles from various industrial sectors for various application acts as a key driver of the market.

However, harmful effects of phthalates due to their toxicity and development of bio-based alternatives to nonwoven fabrics are expected to hamper the growth of the nonwoven fabrics market during the forecast period. On the contrary, surge in demand for polyester polyols and increase in usage of glass fiber-reinforced polymers are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the expansion of the nonwoven fabrics market during the forecast period.

By polymer type, the global nonwoven fabrics market size is categorized into polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), wood pulp, rayon, and others. The polypropylene (PP) segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020, owing to increase in penetration of polypropylene nonwoven fabrics in geotextiles attributable to its properties such as high tear & puncture resistance, temperature fluctuation tolerance, and durability.

On the basis of function, the global nonwoven fabrics market is bifurcated disposable and durables. The durables segment accounted for the largest nonwoven fabrics market share in 2020, owing to surge in its demand from geotextiles manufacturers.

Depending on technology, the market is segregated into spunbond, wet laid, dry laid, and air laid. The spunbond segment emerged as the leader in 2020, owing to surge in adoption of spunbond to produce nonwoven fabrics in higher quantities.

As per application, the global nonwoven fabrics market is fragmented into hygiene, medical, filtration, automotive, building & construction, and others. The hygiene segment emerged as the leader in 2020, owing to superior absorption properties, softness, smoothness, strength, comfort & fit, stretchability, and cost-effectiveness.

Region wise, the global nonwoven fabrics market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific was the major share contributor in 2020, owing to rise in demand for hygiene products across the region.

The major players profiled in the global nonwoven fabrics market report are Ahlstrom-Munksjo, Berry Global Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Glatfelter, DuPont, Toray Industries Inc., Lydall Inc., Fitesa, Suominen Corporation, and Johns Manville.

COVID-19 impact analysis

The nonwoven fabrics market is expected to witness significant growth during to the COVID-19. The nonwoven manufacturers around the globe are expanding their production capacities and investing in machinery to manufacture healthcare essentials in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Increase in the number of cases worldwide and surge in need for healthcare workers are expected to boost the demand for disposable hospital supplies and nonwoven materials during the forecast period.

• On June 2020, Lydall invested in the new fine fiber melt-blown production line to meet rising global demand for face masks. This new production line will enable Lydall to produce high-quality fine fiber melt blown filtration media for N95, surgical, and medical face masks and significantly increase their supply, and help alleviate the shortage of melt blown materials, both in the U.S. and internationally.
• On May 2020, Berry Global announced expansion of its Meltex melt-blown capacity, with the addition of an asset to support the growing demand for face masks during COVID-19. The new line will focus on the manufacturing of nonwoven protection materials and filter materials for premium FFP2 (N95) and FFP3 (N99) grade filter media.
• On April 2020, Ahlstrom-Munksjo increased its nonwoven production across its entire protective materials portfolio, in response to COVID-19. The company has expanded its product offering of protective materials for all three face mask categories, including civil masks, surgical masks, and respiratory masks.

Key Findings Of The Study

• In 2020, Asia-Pacific dominated the global nonwoven fabrics market with around 39.9% share, in terms of revenue, and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.6% in terms of value.
• The polypropylene (PP) segment garnered 53.6% of the share.
• The durables segment dominated the global nonwoven fabrics market with around 54.4% of the share in terms of revenue.
• The spunbond segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.4% in terms of revenue.
• The hygiene segment dominated the global nonwoven fabrics market with 57.3% of the share in terms of revenue.