Non-Woven Fabrics Global Market Report 2024

The non-woven fabrics market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.88 billion in 2023 to $14.85 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be attributed to factors such as growing cost-efficiency, increased demand for disposable hygiene products, widespread applications in medical and healthcare settings, consumer preferences for nonwoven products, and rising concerns for environmental considerations.

The non-woven fabrics market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.52 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing awareness of health and hygiene, a growing demand in the automotive industry, expansion in the construction sector, advancements in agriculture, and a focus on sustainable packaging. Noteworthy trends expected in the forecast period include the integration of antimicrobial and antiviral properties, customization for automotive interior applications, growth in non-woven geotextiles for infrastructure, an emphasis on softness and comfort in non-woven fabrics for bedding, and an increasing adoption in agriculture and crop protection.

The anticipated growth in the non-woven fabrics market is driven by the increased demand for non-woven in the healthcare industry. Nonwoven, a term referring to fibers held together by bonding or interlocking, has found extensive use in medical applications, including disposable and reusable surgical gowns, drapes, gloves, and tool wraps. The rise in low-cost goods tailored for cost-conscious institutions has fueled the utilization of nonwoven fabrics in the healthcare sector. In 2021, the nonwovens production in Greater Europe witnessed a 2.0% volume increase, reaching 87.6 billion square meters, as reported by Edana, a Belgium-based international association serving the nonwovens and related industries. This surge in demand for nonwoven in healthcare is expected to drive the growth of the non-woven fabrics market in the forecast period.

The non-woven fabrics market is further poised for growth due to the increasing demand in the automotive industry. Non-woven fabrics contribute to weight reduction, noise reduction, thermal insulation, tensile strength, durability, moldability, flexibility, resistance to moisture, and softness and comfort in automotive applications. These fabrics are widely used in automotive air filters, enhancing air quality inside vehicles by trapping dust, pollen, and other particles. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, the global production of motor vehicles reached 85.4 million units in 2022, marking a notable 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the automobile sector achieved approximately 78 million unit sales in 2022, reflecting a substantial 10% increase, as reported by Brand Finance plc. The escalating demand in the automotive industry is a significant driver for the growth of the non-woven fabrics market.

The adoption of new technologies has emerged as a prominent trend in the non-woven fabrics market, contributing to advancements in the textile industry, particularly nonwoven fabrics. Technological innovations are expected to reduce production costs, enabling the commercial production of nonwoven textiles. DiloGroup, a Germany-based engineered nonwoven systems manufacturer, introduced the 3D-Lofter, an additive manufacturing process utilizing a separate sliver feed mechanism. This unique process allows additional amounts of fiber to be placed three-dimensionally in specific locations on a flat needlefelt, offering new possibilities for non-woven makers. Nanofiber and high-performance material technologies are gaining traction, presenting alternatives to standard membranes.

Strategic partnerships are a prevalent strategy among major companies in the non-woven fabrics market to foster innovation and strengthen market positions. In April 2023, SharpCell Oy, a Finland-based sanitary paper product manufacturer, collaborated with Valmet Corporation, a Finland-based provider of services and technologies for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. This partnership aims to develop new technologies for nonwoven automation and quality control by combining Valmet's measurement and control technologies with SharpCell's process insights. The collaboration seeks to make significant strides in nonwoven quality control and automation.

In October 2021, Glatfelter, a US-based global manufacturer of engineered materials, acquired Jacob Holm, a US-based spunlaced nonwoven fabrics manufacturer, for approximately $302 million. This strategic acquisition is aimed at increasing Glatfelter's scale and diversification into complementary product categories, particularly high-performing and innovative spun lace nonwoven technologies and sustainable solutions serving various industries.

Major companies operating in the non-woven fabrics market report are Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Jinsheng Huihuang (Group) Co. Ltd., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Toray Industries Inc., Berry Global Group Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Avintiv Inc., Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj, P.H. Glatfelter Company, Glatfelter Corporation, Action Nonwovens Inc., Lydall Inc., TWE Group Inc., Suominen Corporation, Johns Manville Corporation, Avgol Industries 1953 Ltd., Kingsafe Group, Fitesa S.A., Fibertex Nonwovens A/S, Hollingsworth & Vose Company, PFNonwovens GmbH, Dalian Ruiguang Nonwoven Co. Ltd., Delaware Valley Corporation, Xamax Industries Inc., Dongguan Veijun Non-woven Technology Co. Ltd., AIM Garments LLC, Freudenberg & Co. KG, Shandong Kangjie Nonwovens Co. Ltd., CHTC Jiahua Nonwoven Co. Ltd., Huifeng Nonwoven Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the non-woven fabrics market in 2023, and it is also expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the non-woven fabrics market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the non-woven fabrics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The primary types of nonwoven fabrics include polyester, polypropylene, nylon, and others. Polyester fabric, a synthetic woven material known for its durability and cost-effectiveness, is derived from petroleum. The technologies employed in the manufacturing of nonwoven fibers include spunbond, wet-laid, dry-laid, and air-laid. Various sectors, including industrial, hygiene, agricultural, and others, serve as end-users for nonwoven fibers.

The non-woven fabrics market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides non-woven fabrics market statistics, including non-woven fabrics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a non-woven fabrics market share, detailed non-woven fabrics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the non-woven fabrics industry. This non-woven fabrics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The non-woven fabrics market consists of sales of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and viscose. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.