Worldwide Nonwoven Outlook Market Report 2020 – 2025
Nonwovens are a category of textile materials that are produced through various processes without the need for weaving or knitting. Instead of interlacing yarns, nonwovens are made by bonding or interlocking fibers through mechanical, thermal, or chemical means. Here’s a detailed overview of nonwovens:
Characteristics of Nonwovens
- Structure: Nonwovens are typically formed from fibers or filaments laid together in a web or sheet structure. They do not have a regular, repeating structure like woven or knitted fabrics.
- Production Efficiency: Nonwoven fabrics can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively, making them suitable for high-volume, disposable products.
- Versatility: The properties of nonwovens can be tailored to specific needs by varying the type of fibers, bonding methods, and finishing processes.
Types of Nonwoven Fabrics
- Spunbond: This process involves extruding molten polymer through spinnerets to form continuous filaments, which are then laid down into a web and bonded thermally.
- Meltblown: Similar to spunbond, but the fibers are much finer and the web is formed by blowing molten polymer through nozzles with high-velocity air.
- Airlaid: Fibers are suspended in air and then deposited onto a moving belt, where they are bonded by heat or adhesives.
- Needle Punching: A mechanical process where barbed needles are repeatedly punched through the fiber web, entangling the fibers to create a cohesive fabric.
- Hydroentangling (Spunlace): High-pressure water jets are used to entangle fibers, creating a strong and flexible fabric.
- Chemical Bonding: Adhesives or binders are applied to the fiber web, which is then cured to form a stable fabric.
- Thermal Bonding: Heat is applied to melt thermoplastic fibers in the web, which solidify upon cooling to bond the web together.
Applications of Nonwovens
- Hygiene Products: Diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinence products benefit from the absorbency and softness of nonwovens.
- Medical Textiles: Used in surgical gowns, masks, drapes, and wound dressings for their sterility, barrier properties, and disposability.
- Filtration: Nonwovens are widely used in air and liquid filtration due to their customizable pore sizes and permeability.
- Geotextiles: Employed in construction and landscaping for soil stabilization, drainage, and erosion control.
- Automotive: Used in interior fabrics, insulation, and filters.
- Agriculture: Nonwoven fabrics serve as crop covers, weed barriers, and seed germination fabrics.
- Consumer Products: Includes items like wipes, cleaning cloths, and interlinings for garments.
Advantages of Nonwovens
- Customizability: The properties of nonwovens can be tailored to meet specific requirements by varying fiber types, bonding methods, and treatments.
- Efficiency: Production processes for nonwovens are generally faster and less expensive compared to woven or knitted fabrics.
- Versatility: Nonwovens can be designed to exhibit a wide range of properties, from high strength and durability to softness and absorbency.
- Disposability: Many nonwoven products are designed for single-use applications, especially in the medical and hygiene sectors, reducing the risk of contamination.
Disadvantages of Nonwovens
- Strength and Durability: Generally, nonwovens are less durable than woven or knitted fabrics, which limits their use in applications requiring long-term wear.
- Environmental Concerns: Many nonwovens are made from synthetic polymers that are not biodegradable, raising concerns about environmental impact. However, there is a growing trend towards using biodegradable fibers and sustainable production methods.
Key Considerations
- Fiber Selection: The choice of fibers (synthetic, natural, or a blend) greatly influences the properties of the nonwoven fabric.
- Bonding Method: The method used to bond fibers (mechanical, thermal, or chemical) affects the fabric’s characteristics such as strength, flexibility, and softness.
- End Use: The specific requirements of the intended application will determine the type of nonwoven fabric and the manufacturing process.
Nonwovens are a critical component in a wide range of industries due to their versatility, efficiency, and adaptability to various applications.
INDA and EDANA have jointly released the seventh edition of the Worldwide Outlook for the Nonwovens Industry. This comprehensive report evaluates post-pandemic growth and provides a detailed analysis of the global nonwovens sector.
Key highlights include:
- Production Data: The report presents production data by region for the years 2010, 2015, and 2020, along with a forecast for 2025.
- Objectives:
- Economic and Demographic Trends: These trends significantly influence demand within the nonwovens industry.
- Industry Trends: Insights into regional variations, production processes, end uses, raw materials, and trade flows.
- Production Breakdown: Detailed industry production data categorized by process and end-use markets.
- Global Nonwoven Roll Goods Trade: An overview of international trade in nonwoven materials.
- Clarity in Segmentation: Clear definitions and explanations of production processes and end-use market segments.
The report sheds light on the industry’s growth trajectory, emphasizing the rapid expansion in production, particularly in spunlaid processes and drylaid hydroentanglement. China has been a major driver, contributing significantly to the industry’s growth. Segments like wipes, filtration, and medical materials have seen remarkable expansion due to their role in maintaining cleanliness, air quality, and safety.
- Production Growth: Between 2010 and 2020, nonwoven production increased by an impressive 6.2% annually. This growth was primarily driven by advancements in spunlaid processes and drylaid hydroentanglement.
- China’s Role: China played a pivotal role in this expansion, contributing an additional 4.7 million tons to global production during the same period. This represents an 11.5% annual growth rate.
- End-Use Segments: Notably, segments such as wipes, filtration, and medical materials experienced rapid expansion. These materials play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness, air quality, and safety.
Production of nonwovens
- Production Growth:
- In 2021, nonwovens production in Greater Europe increased by 2.0%, reaching 3,120,967 tons (equivalent to 87.6 billion square meters).
- However, in 2019, growth was flat at +0.3%, resulting in a total production of 2,782,917 tons.
- Comparatively, the growth rates in the preceding years were 4.8% in 2017 and 1.5% in 2018.
- Turnover:
- The estimated turnover for European nonwovens in 2019 was approximately €9,178 million, reflecting a +0.6% change.
Nonwovens Market Segments
- Hygiene: 28.7%
- Wipes for Personal Care: 12.3%
- Construction: 9.8%
- Automotive: 6.2%
- Civil Engineering: 5.4%
- Filtration: 3.6%
- Food & Beverage: 3.3%
Nonwovens Export
- In terms of volume, total nonwoven exports from EU28 countries to the rest of the world increased by 2.5% in 2019.
- The exported quantity amounted to 390,024 tons, compared to 386,390 tons in 2018.
- The total value of these exports reached €1,933 million, reflecting a +4.6% increase in value.
Nonwovens Trade Flow
- The trade dynamics between EU28 countries and non-EU countries were significant in terms of volumes.
Nonwovens Employment
- Based on responses from member companies, the total number of people employed in nonwoven production in Europe decreased by around 1.0% in 2019.
- The estimated current employment figure stands at approximately 28,700 people
The newly released report by INDA and EDANA paints an optimistic picture for the nonwovens industry worldwide. Here are the key highlights:
- Strong Market Demand: The report forecasts robust market demand for nonwovens materials over the next five years.
- Historical Production Growth: Between 2008 and 2018, nonwovens production increased by 5.7%, primarily driven by growth in spunbond/spun melt and dry laid hydroentanglement.
- China’s Leading Role: China has been at the forefront of production growth, adding an impressive 3.3 million tons from 2008 to 2018, representing an annual growth rate of 10.8%.
- End Use Segments: Among nonwoven end use segments:
- Transportation and wipes production expanded rapidly.
- Absorbent hygiene applications recorded the highest incremental volume, contributing 1.3 million tons.
- Comprehensive Insights: The report provides detailed information on global nonwovens macro drivers, supply and demand forecasts, and regional trade analysis.
- Regional Focus: It delves into production, technology, and investment requirements for North America, Greater Europe, Asia, and the South America region.
- Economic Context: Regional views include economic growth, population dynamics, product usage by end use, and trade flows.
- Raw Material Usage: The report also covers raw material trends and includes a detailed appendix.
For more detailed information, you can explore the Global Nonwoven Markets Report 2020-2025.
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