The global nonwovens market recently reached a total value of USD 32.76 billion! Growth in the nonwovens market is attributable to increased demand for nonwovens products and solutions for hygiene, medical, construction and filtration applications. The main growth drivers for the nonwovens market are the growth of the modern healthcare industry in emerging markets, rising birth rates and the growing elderly population in western countries.

 

Global nonwovens manufacturers around the world are expanding production capacity and investing in machines to make medical necessities in response to COVID-19. The pandemic has increased demand for single-layer nonwovens.

 

The use of nonwovens in medical applications is increasing due to the introduction of lower-cost products in hospitals. Disposable and reusable surgical gowns, sheets, gloves and instrument covers are widely used in hospitals.

 

Over the forecast period, the market is expected to show a value differential of USD 17.72 billion and a volume differential of 8.34 million tons.

 

Although fertility rates are slowly declining in most parts of the world, the child population in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to increase in the near future. This is mainly due to the relaxation of China’s one-child policy and rising birth rates in Southeast Asian countries.

 

The Asia-Pacific region dominates the market in terms of value and volume, and while consumption in China is high, the country’s per capita consumption is much lower than in developed regions. The growing demand for baby diapers is driving the demand for spunbonded acrylic nonwovens in the region. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa contributed the lowest to the global market, at less than 15 percent.

 

The nonwovens market is fragmented, with the top three players - BerryGlobalInc., FreudenbergGroup, Ahlstrom-Munksjo - accounting for about 15 percent of the market in 2019.

 

The market competition is so fierce that several leading manufacturers have established strategic partnerships to expand their market share. Other major players include kimberly-clark, DuPontdeNemours, Fitesa, GlatfelterCorporation, Lydall, TorayIndustries, JohnsManville, SuominenCorporation, TWEGroup, Low&Bonar, Kingsafe, Avgol, etc.