From disposable wipes to surgical masks, the hidden fabrics of modern life are woven into a $52.4 billion global industry that is rapidly expanding at a staggering 6% annual clip.
Key Takeaways
- The global nonwovens market size was valued at USD 52.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 74.2 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.0%.
- Nonwovens market in North America reached USD 12.5 billion in 2023, projected to hit USD 17.8 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.2%.
- Asia-Pacific nonwovens market was valued at USD 22.3 billion in 2022, anticipated to expand at 7.1% CAGR to USD 38.5 billion by 2029.
- Global nonwovens production capacity exceeded 14.5 million tons in 2023.
- China led global nonwovens production with 5.8 million tons annually in 2022, representing 40% of world total.
- US nonwovens production capacity stood at 2.1 million tons per year in 2023.
- Baby diapers segment holds 28% of nonwovens usage in hygiene, equating to 1.35 million tons in 2023.
- Feminine hygiene products account for 22% of hygiene nonwovens, 1.06 million tons annually in 2022.
- Adult incontinence products used 0.95 million tons of nonwovens in 2023.
- North America holds 22% of global nonwovens market share in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific dominates with 48% global nonwovens production share in 2023.
- Europe accounts for 18% of world nonwovens capacity, 2.6 million tons in 2023.
- Global nonwovens recycling rate reached 18% in 2023.
- Biodegradable nonwovens segment grew 11% CAGR to USD 2.1 billion in 2023.
- 65% of nonwovens producers adopted recycled fiber content by 2023.
The nonwovens industry is experiencing robust global growth driven by diverse applications.
End-Use Applications
- Baby diapers segment holds 28% of nonwovens usage in hygiene, equating to 1.35 million tons in 2023.
- Feminine hygiene products account for 22% of hygiene nonwovens, 1.06 million tons annually in 2022.
- Adult incontinence products used 0.95 million tons of nonwovens in 2023.
- Surgical drapes and gowns in medical nonwovens consumed 0.42 million tons in 2023.
- Face masks and respirators used 0.18 million tons of meltblown nonwovens in 2022 post-COVID peak.
- Automotive interiors nonwovens usage 0.56 million tons in 2023.
- Filtration applications in air and liquid filters consumed 0.89 million tons in 2023.
- Wipes category used 1.1 million tons of nonwovens globally in 2022.
- Geotextiles and civil engineering nonwovens 1.2 million tons in 2023.
- Packaging nonwovens for tea bags and coffee filters 0.32 million tons annually.
- Agriculture and horticulture covers used 0.45 million tons of nonwovens in 2023.
- Electrical and electronics insulation nonwovens 0.21 million tons in 2022.
- Construction sector nonwovens for roofing and insulation 0.67 million tons in 2023.
- Laundry aids and household products 0.34 million tons nonwovens usage in 2023.
- Protective apparel nonwovens 0.29 million tons in medical and industrial use 2023.
- Battery separators in EVs used 0.12 million tons of nonwovens in 2023.
- Furniture and bedding nonwovens 0.41 million tons annually.
- End-Use Applications details usage in various sectors like hygiene and medical.
End-Use Applications Interpretation
From cradle to grave, via cars, surgeries, and the odd midlife spill, humanity's journey is quietly padded, filtered, and insulated by a staggering 9.8 million tons of nonwoven fabric each year.
Market Size and Growth
- The global nonwovens market size was valued at USD 52.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 74.2 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.0%.
- Nonwovens market in North America reached USD 12.5 billion in 2023, projected to hit USD 17.8 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.2%.
- Asia-Pacific nonwovens market was valued at USD 22.3 billion in 2022, anticipated to expand at 7.1% CAGR to USD 38.5 billion by 2029.
- Europe nonwovens industry generated USD 15.6 billion revenue in 2023, expected to grow at 4.8% CAGR through 2032.
- Global hygiene nonwovens segment accounted for 42% of total market share in 2022, valued at USD 22.0 billion.
- Medical nonwovens market size stood at USD 18.7 billion in 2023, forecasted to reach USD 28.4 billion by 2030 at 6.2% CAGR.
- Automotive nonwovens market was USD 5.6 billion in 2022, projected to grow to USD 8.9 billion by 2028 at 8.1% CAGR.
- Overall nonwovens market CAGR from 2023-2030 estimated at 5.8%, driven by hygiene and healthcare demand.
- Latin America nonwovens market valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2023, expected 6.5% growth to USD 5.1 billion by 2030.
- Middle East & Africa nonwovens sector reached USD 2.8 billion in 2022, projected CAGR of 7.3% to 2031.
- Spunmelt nonwovens dominated with 65% market share in 2023, valued at USD 34.1 billion globally.
- Drylaid nonwovens market size USD 10.2 billion in 2022, growing at 4.5% CAGR to 2030.
- Market Size and Growth category includes 30 statistics as per distribution.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
While the world may be spinning faster, our fabrics are holding it together quite profitably, with the nonwovens market weaving a story of robust global growth, particularly in hygiene and Asia-Pacific, proving that sometimes the most essential things are the ones you don't even notice.
Production and Capacity
- Global nonwovens production capacity exceeded 14.5 million tons in 2023.
- China led global nonwovens production with 5.8 million tons annually in 2022, representing 40% of world total.
- US nonwovens production capacity stood at 2.1 million tons per year in 2023.
- Europe produced 2.4 million tons of nonwovens in 2023, with spunlaid accounting for 55%.
- India nonwovens production reached 0.45 million tons in 2022, growing 12% YoY.
- Global spunbond production capacity was 8.2 million tons in 2023.
- Meltblown nonwovens capacity globally hit 1.2 million tons in 2023, up 15% from 2020.
- Turkey's nonwovens output was 0.32 million tons in 2022.
- Mexico nonwovens production capacity 0.28 million tons annually in 2023.
- South Korea produced 0.41 million tons of nonwovens in 2023.
- Brazil nonwovens production reached 0.22 million tons in 2022.
- Vietnam's nonwovens capacity grew to 0.15 million tons in 2023.
- Global needlepunch nonwovens production 1.8 million tons in 2023.
- Airlaid nonwovens production worldwide 0.9 million tons per year in 2022.
- Wetlaid nonwovens output 0.65 million tons globally in 2023.
- Hygiene products consumed 4.8 million tons of nonwovens in 2023, 33% of total production.
- Medical applications used 2.1 million tons of nonwovens in 2022.
- Geotextiles segment utilized 1.2 million tons of nonwovens in 2023.
- Production and Capacity category covers production volumes and capacities worldwide.
Production and Capacity Interpretation
While China continues to dominate global nonwovens production like a heavyweight champion, the relentless expansion in spunbond and meltblown technologies proves the industry is strategically fabricating its future far beyond just the basics of hygiene and healthcare.
Regional Analysis
- North America holds 22% of global nonwovens market share in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific dominates with 48% global nonwovens production share in 2023.
- Europe accounts for 18% of world nonwovens capacity, 2.6 million tons in 2023.
- China's nonwovens exports reached 1.2 million tons in 2022, valued at USD 4.5 billion.
- US imports 0.8 million tons of nonwovens annually, mainly from Asia.
- India's nonwovens market grew 15% YoY in 2023, capacity 0.5 million tons.
- Middle East nonwovens consumption up 9% to 0.35 million tons in 2023.
- Latin America nonwovens production share 3% globally, 0.4 million tons total.
- South Korea's nonwovens exports USD 1.1 billion in 2023.
- Turkey produced 15% of Europe's nonwovens in 2023, 0.38 million tons.
- Japan's nonwovens market valued at USD 2.8 billion in 2022.
- Africa's nonwovens capacity 0.12 million tons, growing 12% CAGR.
- Mexico's nonwovens industry output 0.3 million tons, 70% for export.
- Vietnam nonwovens production doubled to 0.2 million tons since 2019.
- Saudi Arabia's nonwovens investments added 0.1 million tons capacity by 2023.
- Regional Analysis provides breakdowns by continent and key countries.
Regional Analysis Interpretation
While North America and Europe continue to hold significant, established shares, the nonwovens industry’s tectonic plates are unmistakably shifting toward Asia-Pacific, which now produces nearly half the world's output, a dominance fueled by China's export juggernaut and the explosive growth of markets like India and Vietnam.
Sustainability and Innovation
- Global nonwovens recycling rate reached 18% in 2023.
- Biodegradable nonwovens segment grew 11% CAGR to USD 2.1 billion in 2023.
- 65% of nonwovens producers adopted recycled fiber content by 2023.
- Nanotechnology-enhanced nonwovens market USD 1.5 billion in 2022.
- Smart nonwovens with sensors for medical use projected 25% CAGR to 2030.
- Waterless production technologies reduced usage by 40% in new plants.
- PLA-based nonwovens production capacity 0.3 million tons globally in 2023.
- Energy consumption in spunmelt production down 15% since 2015 due to innovations.
- 72% of hygiene nonwovens now pulp-based for sustainability in 2023.
- Carbon footprint of nonwovens reduced 22% industry-wide from 2018-2023.
- Antimicrobial nonwovens innovations grew market to USD 3.2 billion in 2023.
- 3D nonwovens technology capacity up 20% in medical applications.
- Hydroentangled nonwovens for reusables increased 18% market share.
- Global R&D investment in nonwovens reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
- Electret-treated meltblown efficiency improved 30% for filtration.
- Compostable nonwovens certifications rose 45% among producers in 2023.
- AI-optimized production lines cut waste by 25% in leading factories.
- Bamboo fiber nonwovens segment expanded to 0.15 million tons production.
- Plasma treatment innovations enhanced nonwovens durability by 50%.
- Sustainability and Innovation focuses on green tech and R&D trends.
Sustainability and Innovation Interpretation
While still far from perfect, the nonwovens industry is knitting together a greener future, cleverly patching the holes in its sustainability fabric with threads of high-tech innovation and a surprising 18% recycling rate.
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