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Nonwoven Protective Clothing Market size is poised to expand at a substantial rate between 2023-2032 driven by widespread applications in medical and other business verticals. Protective clothing made using nonwoven fabrics offer diverse advantages, such as good tensile strength, excellent uniformity, flame retardancy, abrasion resistance, and breathability.
Nonwoven protective clothing plays a crucial role in critical operations that have higher susceptibility to workplace hazards and injuries. As a result, manufacturers and industrial facilities are increasingly focusing on worker safety. This has accelerated the adoption of protective wear to prevent exposure to debris, light liquid splashes, and dry particulates. Disposable nonwoven coveralls have gained significant momentum as they can be easily worn over regular apparel. However, the emergence of the Russia-Ukraine war is expected to have some degree of impact on the production and supply of nonwoven protective wear, particularly due to supply chain disruptions. The inflation and shortage of raw materials will also hinder nonwoven protective clothing market growth.
Several countries, over the last decade, have infused significant amounts of capital into the improvement of healthcare infrastructure, considering the increasing healthcare burden and needs. This is expected to increase the preference for PPE items for medical purposes. For instance, in October 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced grants worth USD 100 million to improve healthcare facilities in rural areas in the U.S. The grants were intended to support 208 rural healthcare facilities to expand critical services for approximately 5 million people across 43 states and Guam.
The COVID-19 pandemic also emphasized the need for medical protective clothing, particularly for healthcare workers. Since the frontline workforce was constantly exposed to the risk of contracting coronavirus infection, the need to wear PPE items strongly emerged. Additionally, the general public grew more aware of the importance of protective clothing, face masks, and gloves to prevent the transmission and spread of the pandemic.
Based on material type, the nonwoven protective clothing market share from the polyester segment will depict sustainable growth through 2032. Polyester is a highly versatile material and finds widespread demand in textiles and other sectors for its strength, density, and durability. It is used for the manufacturing of medical and hygiene products and PPE items. The imposition of stringent norms pertaining to the use of high-quality protective clothing will proliferate the demand for polyester for manufacturing PPE. Nonwoven polyester is increasingly utilized to make vehicle carpeting as it offers stain resistance, strength, and resilience.
Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as a lucrative hub for nonwoven protective clothing with increasing industrialization and rapidly escalating population. The demand for protective apparel is expected to increase across the construction sector, due to the high prevalence of labor-intensive operations and rising construction activities. According to data from Atradius Collections, China’s construction output is expected to grow consecutively from 1.3% in 2020 to 7% in 2021 followed by a 6% surge in 2022. This scenario will represent the substantial need for protective clothing to protect construction workers in the region.
Major players in the nonwoven protective clothing market include Suominen Corporation, Kimberly-Clark, Ahlstrom, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Filmquest Group, Inc., Johns Manville, Freudenberg SE, Toray, Avintiv, Inc. (Berry Global), and DuPont, among others. Business expansions, new product launches, and collaborations are being undertaken by these competitors for increased global presence. For instance, in April 2022, Toray Industries designed LIVMOA™ 4500AS disposable personal protective clothing with exceptional breathability, dust protection, and water resistance.
The increasing focus on strengthening healthcare facilities and improving availability and accessibility to advanced healthcare will have a positive impact on the nonwoven protective clothing market in near future. Furthermore, the emergence of novel epidemics and the rising prevalence of infectious diseases worldwide will proliferate the demand for PPE items across medical as well as industrial applications.