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Global nonwoven protective clothing market is set to gain remarkable traction over 2022-2028. This is driven by the extensive use of nonwovens in medical and other industry verticals to protect against a range of substances like disinfectants, dirt, dust, nutraceuticals, and organic and inorganic chemicals. In addition, the myriad other advantages of using nonwovens in protective clothing, including excellent uniformity, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, breathability, and flame retardancy, will also propel the industry demand over the years ahead. Nonwoven fabrics refer to flat fabrics made from the long filament and short-staple fibers, which are bonded or felted together by a thermal, mechanical, or chemical process. Nonwoven protective clothing is designed to protect against light liquid splashes, dry particulates, and debris. This type of disposable nonwoven coverall is made of lightweight breathable fabric and can be worn over clothes.
The rise of textile exports, alongside the high investment interest towards healthcare infrastructure, will foster nonwoven protective clothing market trends over 2022-2028. The University of California, for example, announced plans to construct a $1 billion hospital campus, which will house an ambulatory care center, cancer center, and a 144-bed acute care facility, thus driving the need for nonwoven protective coverall to safeguard healthcare workers. Moreover, the significant increase in the consumption of oil and natural gas in developing economies will further augment the deployment of nonwoven protective clothing across the burgeoning oil and gas industry to protect against chemical dangers.
With regards to material type, the nonwoven protective clothing industry from the polyester segment is anticipated to depict a high growth rate through 2028. Growth from this segment can be credited to the material’s versatility and other benefits, such as high density, strength, and durability, making it ideal for medical and hygiene products. Based on end-use industry, the manufacturing segment will amass considerable profit by 2028. This is owing to the implementation of mandatory norms associated with the use of quality protective gear and clothing as well as PPE at manufacturing sites to ensure the safety of workers.
Asia Pacific is set to emerge as a lucrative revenue prospect for the nonwoven protective clothing market by 2028, on account of the increase in construction activities. As per Atradius Collections estimates, the construction output in China, following a 1.3% increase in 2020, was slated to grow by around 7% in 2021 and 6% in 2022, which could proliferate the adoption of protective clothing for construction workers. Likewise, the commendable surge in healthcare spending in the country will also stimulate the overall regional expansion in the years ahead.
The competitive landscape of the nonwoven protective clothing industry comprises companies such as Suominen Corporation, Technical Textile, Kimberly-Clark, Ahlstrom, Filmquest Group, Inc., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Johns Manvile, Avintiv, Inc. (Berry Global), Freudenberg SE, Toray, and DuPont, among others. These companies are focusing on strategies including business expansions, new product launches, and collaborations to strengthen their presence in the global market.
Despite the burgeoning usage of medical protective clothing to safeguard healthcare workers, patients, and the general public over the past years, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of PPE to the fore. The outbreak has spurred considerable innovation in fabrics with antiviral properties for use in medical protective clothing across the healthcare industry, with an aim to mitigate the virus spread. These aforementioned factors, along with the gradual recovery of the manufacturing sector from the crisis, may add significant impetus to the overall nonwoven protective clothing industry in the upcoming years.