Nonwoven Fabrics Market Size & Share 2024 to 2032
Market Size by Technology (Spunbond, Dry laid, Wet laid, Air laid), by Material Type (Polypropylene, Polyester, Rayon, Cotton), by Application (Hygiene Products, Medical and Healthcare, Home Furnishings, Filtration, Automotive) & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI6746
|
Published Date: September 2023
|
Report Format: PDF
Download Free PDF
Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
Nonwoven Fabrics Market Size
Nonwoven Fabrics Market size was worth about USD 41.7 billion by 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% between 2023 and 2032. Nonwoven medical textiles, such as surgical gowns, wound dressings, wounds, and medical masks, driven by their barrier properties and antibacterial abilities, play an important role and are therefore anticipated as materials we have previously mentioned above will drive the rapid expansion of the market in the coming years.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market Key Takeaways
Market Size & Growth
Key Market Drivers
Challenges
The convenience and cost-effectiveness of non-woven disposables such as cleaning wipes and cloths is driving demand for homes, commercial establishments and healthcare facilities non-woven fabrics are used in various automotive components, a including materials for automotive components, accessories, insulation, and engine exhausts, due to the durability and versatility
Nonwoven fabrics often need to compete with traditional materials like woven textiles and plastics, which have well-established markets and supply chains. Ensuring consistent quality across nonwoven products can be challenging due to variations in raw materials, manufacturing processes, and equipment. Some nonwoven fabrics may not be easily biodegradable, raising concerns about their impact on the environment after use. Thus, the risks associated with nonwoven fabrics may drive down the acceptance rate, further hampering the business growth.
COVID-19 Impact
The pandemic led to a surge in demand for medical and hygiene products such as surgical masks, medical gowns, and personal protective equipment (PPE), which heavily rely on nonwoven fabrics. This increased demand put pressure on manufacturers to ramp up production. Thus, the reduced number of COVID-19 cases and implementation of subsequent strategies by government and non-government organizations is anticipated to drive the business expansion in the upcoming years.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market Trends
Growing awareness of environmental concerns is driving the demand for sustainable nonwoven fabrics made from biodegradable materials and using eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Nonwoven fabrics that break down naturally over time are gaining traction as consumers and industries seek more environmentally friendly alternatives. The incorporation of recycled fibers and materials into nonwoven production is becoming more common, aligning with circular economy principles.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market Analysis
Based on technology, the nonwoven fabrics market is segmented as spunbond, dry laid, wet laid, air laid, others. Spunbound held a majority market value of USD 20 billion in 2022. Spunbond technology offers efficient production and versatility in creating nonwovens for various applications, including hygiene products, geotextiles, and industrial fabrics.
Based on material type, the nonwoven fabrics market is segmented as polypropylene, polyester, rayon, cotton, others. Polypropylene held a dominant market share of around 40% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a lucrative pace through 2032. PP is one of the most commonly used materials due to its versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including hygiene products, packaging, and automotive textiles.
Based on application, the nonwoven fabrics market is segmented as hygiene products, medical and healthcare, home furnishings, filtration, automotive, others. Hygiene products held a dominant market share in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at 5.9% CAGR through 2032. Nonwoven fabrics are crucial for hygiene products like diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence items due to their softness, comfort, and absorbency. Thus, the high-quality services and growing usage of Nonwoven fabrics are anticipated to expedite the business landscape.
U.S. dominated the North American region with majority market share and a revenue of USD 10.7 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to expand at a significant pace from 2023-2032. North America's large population, including aging baby boomers, contributes to the demand for nonwoven hygiene products such as adult incontinence items.
Nonwoven Fabrics Market Share
Some of the major industry players operating in the nonwoven fabrics market are
These players focus on strategic partnerships, new product launch & commercialization for market expansion. Furthermore, these players are heavily investing in research that allows them to introduce innovative products and garner maximum revenue in the market.
Nonwoven Fabrics Industry News:
Nonwoven fabrics market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million & Kilo Tons from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:
Click here to Buy Section of this Report
By Technology
By Material Type
By Application
The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →