#Market Analysis & Forecasts

2023-11-02

Strong growth for global nonwovens market

Hygiene goods, feminine sanitary products, wipes, and industrial applications will all contribute to stronger demand for nonwovens globally across 2024-2028. Total consumption will reach 14.25 million metric tons in 2023, with a value of $59.01 billion, according to the latest expert market modelling from Smithers.

Intensive Smithers market analysis available to purchase now in The Future of Global Nonwoven Markets to 2029 – shows that further increases will lift this to 15.15 million metric tons in 2024, and a value of $62.85 billion.

In a rapidly evolving commercial landscape, Smithers forecasts the market will increase at a +7.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), by value, to reach $88.55 billion in 2028, at constant prices; with consumption increasing at a marginally slower rate to 21.29 million metric tons. This reflects a positive outlook for two distinct nonwovens segments – disposables and industrial/durable.

Disposable nonwovens (diapers, feminine hygiene goods, adult incontinence wear, wipes, and medical fabrics and PPE) are 44.0% of the market in 2023, by weight. Demand for wipes and medical PPE surged as the Covid pandemic peaked, and a residual elevation in demand for disinfecting wipes and medical nonwovens will keep demand growth higher through the decade.

As the segment evolves there is a major demand for greater sustainability for these single-use formats. The hygiene and feminine hygiene component suppliers are experimenting with constructions using greater volumes of wood-derived fibers, as well as investigating the potential of biopolymers. For recycled polymers, trials using in meltblown polypropylene fabrics have been completed, but obtaining supplies of suitable recycled resins, at volume, is impossible in the contemporary market.

Incremental environmental gains can be made in reducing waste on converting lines, and lowering basis weights further, although this is only plausible if superior substrate strength and uniformity can be provided.

Durable or industrial nonwovens (apparel, coating substrates, furnishings, filtration, construction, automotive, etc) saw a much larger market deflection during Covid-19. A recovery from this has been further retarded by the macroeconomic fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Overall, durable nonwovens consumption for 2024 will be down by 200,000 tons on pre-covid forecasts. A strong recovery is forecast however, especially through the second half of the Smithers forecast period.

This will manifest in increased demand for gas and liquid filtration and agricultural nonwovens; with all three segments set for double-digit annual increases for 2024-2029. Coating substrates and geotextile/civil engineering will also increase market share. Demand will be more restrained for apparel and home furnishings; as inflation erodes consumers’ discretionary spending potential.

As the market continues to evolve, it will need to adjust to overcapacity and resulting price pressures for many of the main nonwoven processes. Spunlaids account for half of contemporary consumption by volume, and prices are already decreasing to reflect oversupply. Similar effects are forecast on spunlace variant pricing as more global capacity is added in China and Turkey. For needlepunch, similar considerations will cause the closure of some older, less productive lines.

Smithers analysis shows supply and demand for airlaid and carded nonwovens is generally balanced. The same is largely true for wetlaids, although supply is tighter for some specific variants.

The Future of Global Nonwoven Markets to 2029 delivers an authoritative, comprehensive overview of the latest industrial, consumer, and regulatory trends that will shape nonwoven consumption across the next five years. Its expert market data modelling is presented in over 130 tables and figures, segmenting this dynamic industry by:

• Nonwovens variant – Spunlaid, Drylaid, Airlaid, Wetlaid, Other

• Raw material type – PP polymer, PET polymer, PE polymer, Other polymer, PP fiber, PET fiber, Rayon/lyocell, Bicomponent fiber, Wood pulp, Fiber other

• End-use application – Hygiene, Medical, Personal care wipes, Homecare wipes, Industrial wipes, Other disposables, Air/gas filtration, Garments, Inter-linings, Shoes & leather, Coating substrates, Upholstery & bedding, Floor coverings, Building & roofing, Geotextiles & civil engineering, Automotive, Agriculture, Other durables

• Geographic market – North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Rest of the World.

More info:

https://www.smithers.com/en-gb/services/market-reports/nonwovens/the-future-of-global-nonwovens-to-2029

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Fluff pulp market maintains steady growth

Despite being impacted by political and economic woes, the global fluff pulp market in 2024 will reach 7.3 million air dried tonnes with a value of $9.7 billion, according to a new Smithers produced study, The Future of Fluff Pulp to 2029. This is up from 6.2 million air dried tonnes valued at $5.5 billion in 2019.

Economic and geopolitical headwinds influence industrial nonwovens growth to 2029

The global consumption of industrial nonwovens in 2024 is 5.3 million tonnes or 83.4 billion square metres (m2), valued at $21.2 billion, according to The Future of Industrial Nonwovens to 2029 from Smithers. Growth rates for 2019-24 were 6.9% (tonnes), 6.9% (m2) and 6.7% ($). This reflects a recovery in some markets from Covid-19 as well as an adjustment to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its repercussions (inflation, energy supply/price, global economic growth reductions).

“We clearly see that reliability, flexibility, service and total cost of ownership are becoming increasingly important again.”

The nonwovens industry continues to face a challenging market environment. Nevertheless, AUTEFA Solutions reports successful projects, new line sales and growing demand for energy-efficient and flexible solutions. In this interview, André Imhof of AUTEFA Solutions talks about competitiveness against Chinese suppliers, new service and recycling concepts, the growing importance of application development and the opportunities created by countercyclical investments.

“Needle punching technology is more universal and sustainable than ever!”

Needle punching technology was long regarded as a rather traditional and comparatively slow technology within the nonwovens industry. In this interview, Johann Philipp Dilo explains why needle punching is more relevant than ever today – ranging from energy efficiency and resource conservation to hygiene applications, new machine concepts and design-oriented nonwoven solutions.

Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity. In particular, the transport of sweat and excess body heat poses a problem. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into protective work garments. The textile climate control system supports the body’s natural thermoregulation. This contributes to improved workplace safety and comfort.

PET spunbond from China – EDANA welcomes imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures

On 13 May 2026, after eight months of investigation, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 45.6-50.0% on imports of PET spunbond from China. EDANA welcomes this expression of the Commission’s clear determination to protect EU industries from the unfair trade practices of Chinese producers.