Global Non-Woven Fabric Market Is Driven By Increasing Demand For The Fabric In Hygiene Products

Non-woven fabric is a material made up of fibers by bonding together through chemical, thermal or mechanical treatment. Felt is a term used in textile industry to denote fabric that is neither knitted nor woven. This fabric is engineered fabric and offer specific properties such as liquid repellency, softness, flame retardance, thermal insulation, durability, etc. Demand for this fabric in disposable or single use products is high as it is degradable and easily recycled.

Increasing construction activities in both residential and commercial sectors have a positive impact on the global non-woven fabric market. Non-woven fabric is used to enhance the lifespan of embankments, roads, etc. It is widely used for filtration purpose in mineral processing, gasoline, pharmaceutical industry, and others. Non-woven geotextiles are used in erosion control, drainage systems, canal construction, and others. Growing demand for the fabric in hygiene products owing to its therapeutic properties and growing consumer awareness pertaining to health benefits across the globe are factors boosting demand for non-woven fabric. Increasing demand for automotive headliners and upholstery in automotive industry and demand for seed strips and coverings in agricultural industry are factors proliferating demand for non-woven fabric.

However, statutes and regulations pertaining to VOC emissions and high cost of raw materials are factors challenging the demand for non-woven fabric to a certain extent. Increasing investments in R&D and technological advancements for eco-friendly non-woven fabric is anticipated to create new revenue opportunities for the manufactures of operating in the global market. An ongoing trend observed in the target market is increasing adoption of non-woven fabric in medical sector for numerous applications.

The worldwide market for non-woven fabric is expected to register significant CAGR of around 7.6 % over the forecast period and was valued to be US$ 32,279.6 Mn in 2018.

Non-woven fabric is of various types such as melt-blown, spunbonded, spunlace, and needle punch. The spunbonded fabric is highly demanded in hygiene products, agriculture, packaging, and other applications. Non-woven fabric has various applications such as hygiene, construction, filtration, and automotive. Increasing demand for hygiene products such as baby diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, and others is a factor augmenting growth of hygiene segment in the global market. Growing construction activities in various countries owing to use of this fabric in various applications such as roads, railroads, pavements, and others.

Increasing demand for non-woven fabric in construction activities, coupled with increasing government initiatives and investments for various infrastructures in emerging countries in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, increasing demand for dry-laid non-woven fabric in personal care and packaging industries, rapid urbanization, coupled with high disposable income, has a positive impact on the Asia Pacific non-woven fabric market. Growing consumer awareness and favorable regulations for use of eco-friendly non-woven fabric are factors augmenting demand for the product in various countries in North America and Europe.

Some of the prominent players operating in the target market include AVINTIV, Freudenberg, DuPont, Ahlstrom, Kimberly-Clark, Fitesa, Glatfelter, Johns Manville, Low & Bonar, Georgia-Pacific, Lydall, Avgol, Hollingsworth & Vose, Toray, First Quality, Fibertex, PEGAS, Asahi Kasei, Mitsui, and Kingsafe Group.