Home > Polymers & Advanced Materials > Nonwoven Weed Control Fabric Market
Nonwoven Weed Control Fabric Market size is set to expand commendably over 2023-2032, on account of the increased focus on gardening due to increased food prices. Furthermore, the shifting interest toward home-food production and the rising agricultural income, especially in Europe, will proliferate weed control fabric installation as an alternative to herbicidal weed control techniques.
Based on data from Eurostat, in 2021, agricultural income per annual work unit rose by 26.2% from the 2015 level, creating new avenues for nonwoven crop cover producers. Weed control fabric, also known as landscape fabric, weed block, or weed barrier, is considered an ideal solution to limit weed growth prevention through the blockage of soil-bound weeds from sunlight. Key benefits include soil moisture retention, erosion control, durability, tear-resistant, and stability. Typically made from polypropylene or polyester, non-woven landscape fabrics can deter weed growth in rock or gravel beds or paths.
A prominent trend contributing to the nonwoven weed control fabric industry growth is the emergence of gardening as a coping mechanism amid COVID-19-induced social isolation. Since lockdowns resulted in the slowdown of social activities, there has been a significant increase in spending on home gardening. As per a 2020 study conducted by the Agri-Food Analytics Lab of Dalhousie University, 50% of respondents grew fruits or vegetables at home. Out of these, 17% started during the coronavirus lockdown, presenting lucrative opportunities for nonwoven weed barrier fabric manufacturers.
Based on type, polypropylene nonwoven weed control fabric market value is projected to record an appreciable increase by 2032, given its recyclability and other environment-friendly attributes. These properties can enhance the sustainability index, making the material a suitable alternative to plastics. Moreover, non-woven polypropylene is utilized as an economical substitute for natural fiber bags, thereby encouraging manufacturers to boost PP nonwoven weed barrier production.
With respect to the application, the nonwoven weed control fabric market share from the nursery segment is set to depict a strong growth rate over the forecast period. The growing awareness of financial and health benefits associated with gardening, including a reduction in blood pressure, is a prominent factor augmenting the use of nonwoven weed control fabric for nursery raising applications. Manufacturers are also emphasizing the production of double-layer mulch control nonwoven fabric with light shielding attributes for use on the nursery floor, further prompting product development over the estimated timeline.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to account for a major share of the nonwoven weed control fabric market over 2023-2032, due to the rising commodity prices and the introduction of financial support for regional farmers. To cite an instance, in May 2022, China pledged to distribute subsidies worth USD 1.5 billion to grain farmers to help offset the surge in production costs. Such initiatives to manage high commodity prices, alongside the increasing upper middle-class population, will stimulate nonwoven weed control fabric usage across the agriculture sector in Asia.
The competitive landscape of the nonwoven weed control fabric market consists of companies including Kimberly Clark, Glatfelter, DuPont, Ahlstrom Munksjo, Berry Global Group, Freudenberg, TWE Group, and Suominen Corporation, among others. These companies are focusing on new product launches, mergers, and acquisitions to expand their business footprint across the global market.
An upsurge in food prices has been observed as a result of ongoing inflation across the globe. The average cost of living has also risen during the 18 months since the start of 2021 than in the preceding 5 years combined. However, according to data from the University of Texas, American spending on food surged from less than 10% to up to 12% in 2022. These global trends have accelerated the acceptance of home gardening, which is likely to promote the development of nonwoven weed control fabric over the forthcoming years.