Non-Woven Fabrics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Fiber (Polyester, Cotton Rayon, Polypropylene, Others), By End User (Disposable Applications, Wipes, Geotextiles, Medical Products, Automotive, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Non-Woven Fabrics Market, valued at USD 46.85 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 4.96% to reach USD 62.65 Billion by 2030. Non-woven fabrics are engineered fibrous assemblies, primarily planar, which possess a designed level of structural integrity through physical or chemical methods, excluding traditional weaving, knitting, or papermaking processes. The market's growth is predominantly supported by robust demand in hygiene and medical applications, driven by increased health awareness and an expanding elderly demographic, alongside rising adoption in the automotive and construction industries. According to EDANA, in 2024, nonwovens production in Greater Europe increased by 2.6% in volume to 2,976,400 tonnes compared to 2023, with the hygiene sector representing 27% of total deliveries. Furthermore, according to INDA, North American nonwovens capacity reached 5.713 million tonnes in 2023, demonstrating an increase of over 230,000 tonnes from the preceding year.

A key impediment to market expansion remains the volatility of raw material prices, particularly for petroleum-based synthetic polymers, which directly influences production costs and overall market stability.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing demand for personal hygiene products continues to significantly influence the non-woven fabrics market. Demographic shifts, including a growing global population and an expanding elderly demographic, drive consistent consumption of essential items such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products. Non-woven materials are integral to these products, offering superior absorbency, softness, and barrier properties. According to EDANA, June 2024, "Nonwovens Production and Deliveries 2023", total nonwoven deliveries to the European hygiene market amounted to 803,000 tonnes in 2023. Concurrently, the expanding applications within the healthcare and medical sector represent another critical growth catalyst. Heightened health awareness, coupled with global events underscoring the importance of infection control, has led to a sustained need for medical nonwovens in surgical gowns, drapes, masks, and wound care products. The inherent sterile and barrier characteristics of nonwovens make them indispensable in clinical environments, fostering continuous innovation and product development to meet evolving healthcare standards. According to EDANA, June 2024, "Nonwovens Production and Deliveries 2023", deliveries for medical applications in Europe grew by 3.6% in 2023.

These sector-specific demands contribute to the broader expansion of the non-woven fabrics industry, which consistently adapts to meet diverse application requirements. The ongoing investment in capacity and technological advancements further underpins this growth, ensuring the market remains responsive to global needs. For instance, according to INDA, in 2023, the total North American nonwovens shipments reached approximately 5.54 million tonnes. This overall market vigor reflects the versatility and essential role of non-woven materials across various critical sectors.

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Key Market Challenges

A significant challenging factor impeding the expansion of the global non-woven fabrics market is the volatility of raw material prices, particularly for petroleum-based synthetic polymers. This instability directly influences production costs, compressing profit margins for manufacturers and creating unpredictability in market pricing for end-products. Such fluctuations make long-term strategic planning and investment decisions considerably more complex for companies operating within the sector.

The dependence on these base materials means that geopolitical events or shifts in oil markets can rapidly alter the cost landscape, undermining an otherwise robust market. For instance, according to EDANA and INDA, from 2013 to 2023, global nonwoven production demonstrated an annual increase of 5.4%. Despite this underlying growth trajectory, the unpredictable cost of essential inputs, which constitute a substantial portion of operational expenses, acts as a direct impediment. This volatility hinders consistent growth and profitability, thereby restraining overall market development and stability.

Key Market Trends

The Global Non-Woven Fabrics Market is currently being shaped by significant shifts towards sustainable material innovation and the expanded application of geosynthetics in infrastructure development.

Sustainable Non-Woven Material Innovation represents a crucial trend, driven by escalating environmental concerns and regulatory pressures. The industry is increasingly focused on developing and adopting bio-based, biodegradable, and recyclable non-woven materials to reduce ecological footprints and promote a circular economy. Companies are investing in research and development to create materials with superior performance characteristics that align with sustainability goals. For instance, Berry Global released its 2024 Sustainability Report in March 2025, detailing a 28.3% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions against a 2019 baseline, successfully exceeding its 2025 reduction target two years early. This commitment is evident across various sectors, with the building and roofing materials segment, which increasingly incorporates sustainable nonwovens, exhibiting a notable 14.2% growth in 2024, according to EDANA in March 2025.

Another significant trend is the Increased Application of Geosynthetics in Infrastructure. Non-woven geosynthetics are becoming indispensable in modern civil engineering and construction projects due to their effectiveness in soil stabilization, erosion control, drainage, and reinforcement. These materials contribute to enhancing the durability and longevity of infrastructure while often providing cost and environmental benefits over traditional methods. According to EDANA, civil engineering accounted for 5.4% of the total nonwoven market segments in 2024. In a demonstration of this trend, Geofabrics Australasia reinforced its partnership with Tensar in July 2024, introducing advanced geogrid solutions, such as the Tensar InterAx geogrid, for infrastructure applications in Australia and New Zealand. This innovation aims to enhance structural stability and reduce aggregate use, contributing to more efficient construction practices.

Segmental Insights

The global non-woven fabrics market identifies polypropylene as a rapidly expanding segment, driven by its favorable attributes and diverse applications. Polypropylene non-woven fabrics are highly valued for their cost-effectiveness, lightweight nature, and excellent mechanical properties, which offer both stability and flexibility. This material's rapid growth is significantly propelled by its extensive use in hygiene products such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, owing to its softness, breathability, and absorbency. Furthermore, increasing demand from the healthcare sector for surgical gowns and masks, coupled with growing adoption in automotive and filtration applications, underscores its versatility and robust market position.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the leading region in the Global Non-Woven Fabrics Market due to a confluence of robust economic and demographic factors. The region's rapid industrialization and urbanization fuel significant demand across diverse end-use sectors, including healthcare, automotive, and construction. Growing disposable incomes in countries like China and India drive increased consumption of hygiene products such as diapers and feminine care items. Furthermore, strong government support and initiatives aimed at enhancing public health and domestic manufacturing capabilities contribute substantially to market expansion. This dynamic environment, coupled with a large manufacturing base, positions Asia Pacific as the primary growth engine for non-woven fabrics.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, General Nonwovens announced a €40 million investment in a new production line dedicated to technical textiles. This advanced line integrated multi-layer composite technology, specifically designed for applications in the automotive, filtration, and home care sectors. The expansion aimed to diversify the company’s product portfolio while maintaining its strong position in hygiene nonwovens. This investment reflected a commitment to innovation, energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and offering high-quality solutions with reduced material usage.

• In September 2024, Welspun Living announced a strategic partnership with Avgol Industries to advance sustainable solutions within the nonwovens sector. This collaboration aimed to integrate Polymateria's Biotransformation Technology, which enables nonwoven wipes to break down into organic materials in the open environment. The initiative addresses plastic waste management challenges and diversifies Avgol's product offerings in the wipes market, utilizing Avgol's expertise in high-performance spunmelt nonwoven fabrics. This move underscores a commitment to environmentally conscious nonwoven materials for global consumers.

• In September 2024, Freudenberg Performance Materials developed a new 100% synthetic wetlaid nonwoven product line in Germany. These materials were designed using various polymer-based fibers, including ultra-fine micro-fibers, to serve filtration applications and other industrial uses. The introduction of this product line enhances the company's existing portfolio of wetlaid nonwoven capabilities, demonstrating a continued focus on innovation in high-performance technical fabrics within the global non-woven fabrics market. This development supports diversified industrial demands.

• In July 2024, Berry Global Group, Inc. and Glatfelter Corporation announced the creation of the Magnera brand, signifying the progression of their proposed merger. This new entity combined Berry's Health, Hygiene and Specialties Global Nonwovens and Films business with Glatfelter, forming a leading company in specialty materials. Magnera intends to leverage a broad platform of global manufacturing facilities to offer innovative polymer and fiber-based solutions across high-growth end markets, serving major brand owners with advanced nonwoven and film products.

Key Market Players

• Ahlstrom Oyj
• BERRY GLOBAL INC.
• KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION
• Glatfelter Corporation
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• TORAY INDUSTRIES INC.
• Lydall Inc.
• Fitesa S.A.
• SUOMINEN CORPORATION
• Johns Manville Europe GmbH

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Non-Woven Fabrics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Non-Woven Fabrics Market, By Fiber:

o   Polyester

o   Cotton Rayon

o   Polypropylene

o   Others

• Non-Woven Fabrics Market, By End User:

o   Disposable Applications

o   Wipes

o   Geotextiles

o   Medical Products

o   Automotive

o   Others

• Non-Woven Fabrics Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Non-Woven Fabrics Market.

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Company Information

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