Global Nonwovens

Report Overview

5th Edition

What does this study cover?

Historical data (2007, 2012, 2017) and forecasts for 2022 are provided for nonwovens production, demand (by application, market, web formation process) and net exports in metric tons. Year-by-year historical sales are provided in current US dollars and local currency (when applicable) at the regional level.

This redesigned study has been expanded to provide more detail about how global production and trade of end use products affect nonwovens consumption, including which manufacturers operate where and which countries maintain important trade relationships.

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Nonwovens are defined as materials made from fibers, filaments, and films that are arranged into webs, batts, or sheets, and then bonded together using mechanical, thermal, or chemical means.

Nonwovens are categorized by web formation process:

• spunmelt (including meltblown and spunbonded)
• carded
• wetlaid
• airlaid (paper- and textile-based)

Nonwovens are used in two major applications: disposables (e.g., personal hygiene products, wipes, filter media, medical/surgical supplies) and nondisposables (e.g., construction materials, motor vehicles).

The major markets for nonwoven fabrics include:

• personal hygiene products (infant diapers, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products)
• wipes (including medical wipes)
• construction (e.g., geotextiles and roofing)
• filtration
• medical/surgical (except medical wipes)
• motor vehicles
• other uses such as battery separators, carpets and rugs, and clothing

Demand Will Grow Steadily Amid Economic Expansion in Key Markets and Continued Penetration of Nonwoven-Based Goods

Global demand for nonwovens is expected to increase 4.4% per year to 12.2 million metric tons in 2022. Growth opportunities stem primarily from rising penetration in markets traditionally dominated by paper products and woven or knitted textiles. This is particularly true in the developing world – countries like China and India – where expanding consumer bases are creating new demand for nonwoven-based goods such as personal hygiene products and wipes. Continued product development will further boost market penetration and demand gains.

The best opportunities for the nonwovens industry’s expansion exist where there are:

• steady economic growth, a large population, and limited market penetration, which boost expansion in the consumer base for nonwoven-based goods
• established or developing manufacturing sectors for such end-use goods as personal hygiene products, wipes, construction materials, filters, medical and surgical supplies, and motor vehicles
• established domestic industrial bases and developing consumer bases in nearby countries, providing opportunities to export surplus goods
• established manufacturing of end-use products and reliance on imported nonwoven materials, encouraging new investment in local nonwovens production to supply the domestic market

  Key Findings in the Global Nonwovens Study:

  China and India Present Significant Growth Opportunities

  Nonwovens demand is growing rapidly in most developing countries, where market penetration remains relatively low. However, the prospects for nonwovens are especially good in China and India. These countries’ immense populations and rapidly growing economies present ample opportunity for increased nonwovens use as local consumer bases further develop.

  In China – and increasingly India – sizable manufacturing sectors are already in place to produce end-use goods such as personal hygiene products and wipes. And China already exports significant volumes of such products to other, nearby markets – in addition to supplying the bulk of domestic demand.

  Medical/Surgical Supplies, Wipes, and Filters are Fast-Growing Markets

  The fastest growing markets for nonwoven materials include medical and surgical supplies (e.g., bandages, dressings, patient gowns, surgical drapes), wipes (e.g., baby wipes, personal care wipes, household cleaning wipes), and filter media. In fact, half of the gains in global nonwovens sales between 2017 and 2022 are expected to follow from their use in these three outlets.

  All three markets will benefit from continued economic growth as consumer and industrial bases further develop across the globe. However, market penetration for nonwoven-based wipes and medical/surgical supplies will rise particularly fast in the developing world. Health expenditures and access to healthcare in these areas continue to increase, and improvements to per capita income encourage more use of convenience disposables.

  The filtration market will benefit nonwovens demand primarily as increasing concern over the environmental impact of industrial activity encourages further incorporation of high-performance nonwovens into filter media. Nonwovens offer a wide range of fibers and configurations to effectively trap emissions, effluent, and other pollutants – or to recover materials that can be recycled.

  Study Coverage

  This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $39 billion global nonwovens market. It presents historical demand data (2007, 2012, and 2017) and forecasts for 2022 by region (North America, Central & South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia/Pacific, Africa/Mideast), application (disposables, nondisposables), market (personal hygiene, wipes, construction, filtration, medical/surgical, motor vehicles), and web formation process (spunmelt, carded, wetlaid, airlaid). The study also evaluates company product offerings, production capacity expansions, and strategies of industry competitors including Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Avgol Industries, Berkshire Hathaway (via Johns Manville), Berry Global, Évora (via Fitesa), First Quality Nonwovens, Glatfelter, Hollingsworth & Vose, Koch Industries (via Georgia-Pacific), Lydall, Sandler Group, Schouw & Co (via Fibertex Nonwovens and Fibertex Personal Care), Suominen, Toray Industries, TWE Group, and Zhejiang Kingsafe.