Non-Woven Fabrics Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Non-Woven Fabrics Market Overview

The Non-Woven Fabrics Market size is estimated to reach US$58.7 billion by 2027 after growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Nonwoven fabric is a fabric-like material comprised of staple (short) and long (continuous) fibers that have been chemically, mechanically, thermally or solvent-bonded together and it includes polyurethane, nanofibre, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene. Nonwoven fabrics are becoming more popular in a variety of industries due to their wide range of qualities, including absorbency, cushioning, fire resistance, superior thermal resistance, sterility, strength, softness and liquid repellency. Nonwoven fabrics are also easier and less expensive to manufacture than knitted fabrics, which is expected to propel the nonwoven fabric market significantly over the forecast period. The COVID19 pandemic had a positive impact on the global nonwoven fabrics market. According to the World Trade Organisation, Medical goods' share in global commerce increased from 5.3% in 2019 to 6.6% in 2020. Global trade in pandemic-fighting goods such as face masks, gloves and more increased by 31% in 2020. Protective gear such as isolation gowns, head covers, face masks, curtains, shoe covers and other items have been in high demand in the healthcare industry, which is predicted to make a significant contribution to the Non-Woven Fabrics Market size.

Non-woven Fabrics Report Coverage

The report: “Non-Woven Fabrics Market Report – Forecast (2022-2027)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market.

By Module Type – Platinum, Tubular Membranes, Hollow Fiber Membranes, Spiral-Wound Membranes and Plate & Frame.
By Material Type – Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Rayon and Others.
By Function – Disposable and Non- Disposable.
By Technology - Spun bond, Dry laid, Air laid, Wet laid.
By End-use Industry – Transportation (Boot Liners, Air Filters, Upholstery, Covers & Mats and Others), Filtration (Air and Water), Apparel & Textile (Casual, Sports, Protective and Others), Building & Construction (Geotextiles, Soil Stabilization, Erosion Control, Roofing and Others), Electrical & Electronics (Cable Insulation, Fuel cells, Circuit Boards and Others), Healthcare & Medical (Wipes, Diapers, Sanitary Napkins, Surgical Gowns, Face Masks and Others) and Others.
By Geography - North America (the USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Rest of South America), Rest of the World [Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel and Rest of the Middle East) and Africa (South Africa, Nigeria and Rest of Africa)]

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the Non-Woven Fabrics Market size, owing to the increasing medical & healthcare industry in the region. A larger need for medical and adult incontinence products has arisen from the region's aging population and increased prevalence of chronic diseases, which is expected to increase the market size for Non-Woven Fabrics.
• One of the primary factors contributing to the nonwoven fabrics market's favorable outlook is its significant growth in the textile sector around the world.
• Non-Woven Fabrics are commonly utilized in medical and healthcare applications to give adequate and thermal resistance to biological agents. In the healthcare industry, they are gradually replacing traditional materials, which is helping to drive market expansion.
• However, the nonwoven market's growth may be hampered by frequent price fluctuations in raw materials such as polyester, polyurethane and polypropylene.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Non-Woven Fabrics Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Billion)

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Non-Woven Fabrics Market Segment Analysis – By Technology

The Spun Bond segment held the largest share in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market share in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% during 2022-2027, owing to its excellent properties such as random fibrous structure, high strength-to-weight ratio, high tear strength, planar isotropic properties, good fray, crease-resistance, thermal resistance and high opacity. Spun bonding is a continuous process that combines fiber spinning, web forming, web bonding and finishing; and is widely used to produce nonwoven fabrics from polymers. Spun bonding technology provides superior tensile properties at a fabric weight while allowing for process modifications such as filament device, crimp, cross-section, degree of bonding and so on. It can often produce the required property balances to meet end-user requirements, which is driving up demand for spun-bond technology in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market over the forecast period.

Non-Woven Fabrics Market Segment Analysis – By End-use Industry

The Medical & Healthcare held the largest share in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market share in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during 2022-2027, The high demand for Non-Woven Fabrics in the medical & healthcare sector is influenced by its growing application such as surgical gowns, aprons, drapes, face mask components, wound dressings, sanitary towels, sanitary napkins, tampons and baby diapers, which is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the worldwide market's expansion. According to International Trade Centre (ITC), Tampons and sanitary towels exports climbed from 15,784,370 to 16,301,138 globally in 2018. According to the World Trade Organisation, Imports and exports of medical goods such as face masks, gloves and more were valued at US$ 2,343 billion in 2020. This reflects an increase of 16% from the previous year. With the rise in medical & healthcare projects across the globe, the demand for Non-Woven Fabrics is anticipated to rise as they are less expensive than traditional fabrics, which is expected to drive the nonwoven fabrics industry during the forecast period.

Non-Woven Fabrics Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

Asia- Pacific held the largest share in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market share in 2021 up to 41%, owing to the increasing healthcare sector in the region. The growing infrastructural development, rising per capita income of the individuals, higher domestic demand along with the availability of low-cost labor is the major factor driving the healthcare sector in the region. According to the Congressional Research Service, China’s exports increased by over 20% in November 2020 and over November 2019, exports were led by face masks, gloves and more. According to the International Labour Organisation, Malaysia exported €3.4 billion worth of gloves in 2019 and this amount increased by almost €1 billion in 2020. The Indian sanitary napkin market is driven by several initiatives taken by the Government of India, in association with several private entities and non-governmental organizations for promoting the use of sanitary napkins, which is steering the Non-Woven Fabrics Market growth in India. For instance, The Indian government introduced a program in August 2020 to guarantee access to sanitary pads by its well-known Re1/pad Suvidha brand throughout India. The Eco Femme and My Pad, Reproductive and Child Health Program are a couple of additional programs. All these long-term government initiatives are expected to propel the Asia Pacific nonwoven fabrics market during the forecast period.

Non-Woven Fabrics Market Drivers

Bolstering Growth of the Automotive Industry:

Non-Woven Fabrics are in high demand in the automotive and transportation industries for parts such as column padding, anti-rattle pads, battery separators, boats, car mats, console box linings, covering materials and various filters. Nonwovens are used for primary and secondary backings, as well as trunk liners, due to their excellent properties such as moldability, flame retardancy, sterility, acoustic insulation, absorbency filtration and liquid repellency and bacterial barrier. Non-Woven Fabrics are also widely used to reinforce tires in the transportation sector because they extend tire life, provide strength and durability and are lightweight and cost-effective, which drives the nonwoven fabric market. There is bolstering growth of the automotive industry worldwide, for instance, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), automobile production in Japan increased in November from 6,67,462 units in October to 6,90,311 units. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), by 2035, the number of automobiles will have increased to 1.7 million worldwide. Thus, significant growth in the automotive industry is projected to fuel the growth of the Non-Woven Fabrics industry, thereby driving market growth.

Rising Demand for Building & Construction Industry:

Non-Woven Fabric-based geotextiles are flexible and textile-like polymer fabrics with regulated permeability and are commonly used in construction and infrastructure such as roads, buildings and dams to fill gaps between roadways and enhance soil structure, making it easier to build in challenging regions. Nonwoven Fabrics are widely used in road construction to avoid material relocation and intermingling since they are a thin and strong membrane fabric that allows free circulation of water. According to the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA), A total of 750 square kilometers of nonwoven geotextiles are produced and sold annually, with 60% of those being used in the construction of roads. The Australian Trade and Investment Commission estimates that Singapore spends at least $2 billion a month on public infrastructure. Also, the government projected Singapore’s average construction demand for 2018 and 2019 between S$26 billion to S$35 billion. Furthermore, nonwoven fabric-based geotextiles constructed from synthetic or natural fibers improve soil properties such as friction or movement restraint, load support and changes in bearing failure plane, which increases nonwoven fabrics demand from the road construction sectors during the forecast period. Thus, significant growth in the building & construction industries is fuelling the growth of the Non-Woven Fabrics Market, thereby driving the market growth.

Non-Woven Fabrics Market Challenge

Volatility in Raw Material Prices:

Polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane and polyamides, which are commonly used in the fabrication of Non-Woven Fabrics, are obtained from crude oil. As a result, the price of nonwoven fabric raw materials is affected by crude oil price volatility. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2021 report, crude oil prices have fluctuated in recent years. For instance, the Brent crude oil price decreased from US$52.39/bbl in 2015 to US$43.73/bbl in 2016, then increased from US$54.19/bbl in 2017 to US$71.31/bbl in 2018 and then decreased to US$41.84/bbl in 2020. Nonwoven fiber prices are also rising as a result of the uncertainty in crude oil prices. As a result, the nonwoven fabrics market manufacturers are projected to face substantial challenges over the forecast period due to the fluctuation in crude oil prices.

Non-Woven Fabrics Industry Outlook

Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market. The top 10 companies in the Non-Woven Fabrics Market are:

1. Fiberweb
2. Asahi Kasei Corporation
3. Freudenberg Group
4. PF Nonwovens
5. TWE Group
6. Lydall Inc.
7. Suominen Corporation
8. John Manville
9. DuPont
10. Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Recent Developments

• In May 2020, The Johns Manville facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, started producing nonwoven textiles that would be used to make disposable medical gowns. The novel polyester spunbond nonwoven is intended for use in the manufacturing of Level 3 medical gowns. When compared to materials used for Level 1 and Level 2 medical gowns, the fabric provides improved liquid barrier performance while simultaneously delivering comfort and stitch strength.
• In May 2020, Fitesa, a Brazilian nonwovens producer, signed four new projects with technology supplier Reicofil, including cutting-edge equipment that significantly increased its capacity to serve the healthcare and hygiene markets, producing nonwovens for medical gowns, drapes, surgical and N95 facemasks, diapers and sanitary products.
• In March 2020, M/s Megaplast India Pvt. Ltd. (Megaplast), a leading polyethylene products producer in India, used BASF's light stabilizers from the Chimassorb® line to produce nonwoven geotextile used in the construction of national highways.

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