Nonwoven Fabrics Market By Material Type (Polyamide, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Rayon, Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, Others); By Layer (Single layer, Multilayer); By Function (Disposable, Non-Disposable/Durable); By Technology (Spun bond., Stitch bond, Carded, Wet laid, Needle Punch, Air Laid, Dry laid, Electrostatic Spinning, Flash-Spun, Others); By End-Use Application (Hygiene, Medical, Filtration, Automotive, Consumer products, Building & Construction, Geotextiles, Agriculture & Landscape, Industrial, Military, Office & Stationery, Leisure, Shoes & Leather, Others); By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Market Analysis, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, 2022-2032

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Overview and Definition

The global nonwoven fabrics market size is projected to grow from USD 41.8 billion in 2021 to USD 71.5 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period 2022-2032. The nonwoven fabrics market is a rapidly growing segment of the global textiles industry. Nonwoven fabrics are made from fibers or filaments that are bonded together by mechanical, chemical, or thermal means, rather than by weaving or knitting. These fabrics offer a range of advantages, including high absorbency, softness, strength, and durability. They are used in a variety of applications, including hygiene products, medical supplies, filtration materials, automotive interiors, and construction materials. The global nonwoven fabrics market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for disposable products and growing environmental concerns.

Non-woven fabrics are unique, engineered, and high-tech fabrics which are manufactured by bonding together or felting, either chemically or mechanically, with adhesives or thermoplastic fibers under heat and pressure. They are neither woven nor knitted and are flat, porous sheets, made of separate fibers or molten plastic or plastic films.

Their demand is bolstering across various industries due to their beneficial properties such as absorbency, cushioning, retardancy, excellent thermal insulation, sterility high tensile & tear strength, softness, and liquid repellency.  They also have several advantages over woven fabrics and have become an alternative to polyurethane foam over the last few years.

They are widely used in various applications such as agricultural coverings, apparel lining, automotive upholstery, carpeting, filters, disposable diapers, hygiene products, roofing, tea bags and textiles wall coverings etc.

They are also highly desirable in the healthcare industry and are used for making products such as surgical gowns, aprons, drapes, face mask components, and wound dressings among others.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Key Drivers

The nonwoven fabrics market is driven by several factors, including:

Increasing demand for disposable products: Nonwoven fabrics are widely used in products such as diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products, which are often disposable. As disposable income levels rise and consumer preference shifts towards convenience and hygiene, the demand for nonwoven fabrics in these applications is expected to increase.

Growing health awareness: Nonwoven fabrics are also widely used in medical and healthcare applications, including surgical gowns, face masks, and wound dressings. With growing awareness about the importance of hygiene and infection control, the demand for nonwoven fabrics in these applications is also increasing.

Technological advancements: Advancements in manufacturing technology, such as new methods of bonding fibers and filaments, have made it possible to create nonwoven fabrics with improved properties and at lower costs. This has further boosted the demand for nonwoven fabrics in various applications.

Sustainability concerns: Nonwoven fabrics can be made from recycled materials and are often recyclable themselves, making them a more sustainable alternative to traditional textiles. With growing environmental concerns, there is a trend towards using nonwoven fabrics in applications such as packaging and construction, which can help reduce waste and improve sustainability.

The growth of this market is attributed towards major relying factors including; the increasing demand for nonwoven products & solutions for hygiene, medical, construction, and filtration applications, the growth of the modern healthcare sector in the global emerging markets, the surging geriatric population in the western countries, the increasing demand for personal hygiene products, and the shift in trend towards the adoption of safety measures while following practices in the medical industry etc.

Additionally, the enhanced usage of nonwoven fabrics in road construction in the form of geotextiles and in the automobile industry for manufacturing of many exterior and interior parts owing to its durability, moldability and light-weightiness adds to the global nonwoven fabrics market considerably.

Moreover, the advance fibers such as polylactic acid (PLA) derived from vegetable starch or corn and viscose derived from wood take environmental regulations into consideration and enable innovative products for customers. The introduction of these products will act as a major factor in the flourishing of the overall market for nonwoven fabrics in the coming years.

Furthermore,  other factors such as the increasing demand for personal care and hygiene products across the globe, the increasing number of infrastructure development projects in both developing and developed economies, increasing birth rate and aging population causing the demand for hygiene products such as baby diapers, sanitary napkins, and adult incontinence products, the upward growth of the textile industry, the rising consumption of spun laid nonwoven in applications such as industrial insulation and metal core packaging owing to high tear strength offered by the product will further enhance the growth of the market.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Challenges

The nonwoven fabrics market also faces several challenges, including:

Competition from traditional textiles: Nonwoven fabrics face competition from traditional textiles such as woven and knitted fabrics, which have been in use for centuries. While nonwoven fabrics offer several advantages, such as lower costs and greater flexibility, they are not always suitable for all applications.

Manufacturing complexity: The manufacturing process for nonwoven fabrics can be complex and requires specialized equipment and expertise. This can make it difficult for new entrants to enter the market and may limit the growth of the industry.

Fluctuating raw material costs: The cost of raw materials, such as polypropylene and polyester, can be volatile and is subject to global supply and demand factors. This can make it difficult for manufacturers to predict costs and plan for future production.

Regulatory compliance: Nonwoven fabrics used in applications such as medical supplies and personal hygiene products are subject to strict regulations and standards. Meeting these requirements can be costly and time-consuming, and failure to comply can result in fines or product recalls.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market: Segmentation

By Material Type

• Polyamide
• Polyester
• Polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• Rayon
• Natural Fibers
• Biopolymers
• Others

By Layer

• Single layer
• Multilayer 

By Function

• Disposable
• Non-Disposable/Durable

By Technology

• Spun bond.
• Stitch bond
• Carded
• Wet laid
• Needle Punch
• Air Laid
• Dry laid
• Electrostatic Spinning
• Flash-Spun
• Others 

By End-Use Application

• Hygiene
• Medical
• Filtration
• Automotive
• Consumer products
• Building & Construction
• Geotextiles
• Agriculture & Landscape
• Industrial
• Military
• Office & Stationery
• Leisure
• Shoes & Leather
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Nonwoven Fabrics Market Regional Synopsis

The Asia Pacific region is the largest and the fastest growing regional market for non-woven fabrics and is projected to maintain its position at the top in the forthcoming years as well. The growth in the region can be attributed to factors such as the increasing birthrate in the major countries of the region, the rising domestic demand for hygiene products, the growing demand and application in the end-use industries, the availability of low-cost labor, the growing construction activities to meet the rising demand for housing and other structural facilities, the technological advancements in the textile industry and the increasing healthcare investments in the region etc. The major contributors in the region include India, China, and South Korea.

The North American region holds a prominent share in the nonwoven fabrics market and is expected to grow at a robust growth rate in the times to come owing to factors such as the rising production output in the region, the presence of an established transportation industry and the rapidly evolving construction industry in the region etc. The major contributor in the region is the U.S. This region is followed by the European region on account of its rapidly growing automobile industry which generates ample demand for non-woven fabrics due to its highly advantageous properties. However, the matured market for disposable non-woven products is anticipated to hamper the market growth over the coming years in these regions.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market: Recent Developments

In January 2021, PPE manufacturer Armbrust American announced that its factories are now capable of producing meltblown, the non-woven fabric material that is crucial to filtering out microscopic particulate matter such as the coronavirus.

In January 2021, Georgia-Pacific LLC reached an agreement to sell their nonwovens business to Glatfelter, a leading global supplier of engineered materials, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances from competition authorities. The price is reportedly said to be as $175 million.

Nonwoven Fabrics Market: Key Players

• Glatfelter Company
• Lydall Inc.
• Fibertex
• Mitsui
• Toray
• Johns Manville
• Berkshire Hathaway Company
• Mitsui
• Fitesa
• Pfnonwovens
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Chevron Corporation
• Polymer Group Incorporation
• Asahi Kasei Corporation
• Fiberweb
• Avgol
• Kcww
• Pegas