Nonwoven Composites Market Size (2023 - 2030)

Global Nonwoven Composites Market is evaluated to be worth USD 9.6 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 11.97 Billion by 2030, growing at a steady CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

The term "nonwoven composites" refers to products that are made by combining one or more nonwoven fabrics or technologies with other materials or technologies to produce a more efficient fabric that retains the properties of its individual components. Manufacturing processes, such as spun-bond, melt-blown, spun-melt, wet-laid, dry-laid, air-laid, or other nonwoven manufacturing processes can be used to create the nonwoven composites. Nonwoven composites are used in a number of applications, including hygiene products, medical products, geotextiles, filtration, insulation, and automotive components, among others, owing to their unique and superior properties, such as increased strength, durability, enhanced absorbency, bacterial protection, resilience, softness, washability, and sterility. The process of nonwoven composite manufacturing consists of two important steps, which carry great significance in influencing the characteristics of the final product. The first step is the formation of the fiber web. In this step, fibers are deposited onto a moving conveyor belt or drum to form a web. The fibers can be of a variety of types, including natural or synthetic. Other techniques for forming the web include needle punching, spun-bonding, melt-blowing, and spun-melt, among others. The second step is the web boding method. In this step, the formed web needs to bond in order to provide it with increased strength and stability. Thermal bonding, chemical bonding, and mechanical bonding are all methods for bonding the formed webs of nonwoven composites together. Depending on their intended use, the nonwoven composites can be further processed and finished after these two important steps.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Drivers:

The increasing demand for nonwoven composites in the automotive industry is fueling the growth of the global nonwoven composites market.

Due to their properties of high strength, high durability, breathability, softness, and smoothness, nonwoven composites aid in weight reduction, improved comfort and aesthetics, advanced insulation, fire retardancy, and resistance to water, fuels, extreme temperatures, and abrasion by incorporating the essential properties required for good performance and safety. These composites help in making automobiles safer, more appealing, last longer, cost less, and more sustainable. They are used in a number of automotive applications, including dashboard insulation, carpets and flooring, door panels, seat cover slip sheet, and even wheel housing. Therefore, this factor drives the demand for nonwoven composites.

The rising adoption of nonwoven composites across the healthcare industry is another factor contributing to the growth of the global nonwoven composites market.

Nonwoven composites are becoming popular in medical applications as a result of their affordability. This is particularly important for hospitals with limited budgets. Hospitals often use nonwoven fabrics for items like disposable and reusable surgical gowns, surgical masks, drapes, gloves, and instrument coverings. Additionally, there are several government initiatives encouraging the utilization of nonwoven medical items, such as disposable patient gowns, drapes, and linens, to assist in restricting Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). Therefore, this factor also drives the demand for nonwoven composites.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Challenges:

The global nonwoven composites market is encountering challenges, primarily in terms of volatility in raw materials prices and lack of awareness regarding nonwoven composites. Prices of raw materials used in nonwoven composites, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and rayon, can experience fluctuations. This may have an effect on manufacturers' profitability and raise the cost of finished goods, which may restrict the use of nonwoven composites. Moreover, numerous individuals are unaware of the properties and advantages of nonwoven composites and may still prefer to use other conventional materials. Thus, these challenges inhibit the growth of the global nonwoven composites market.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Opportunities:

Technological advancements in nonwoven composites present lucrative opportunities in the global nonwoven composites market. Given the limitations of nonwoven composites, such as poor strength and durability in contrast to woven composites, limited heat resistance, and limited design flexibility, major nonwoven composites manufacturing companies can stand to gain significantly from this opportunity by improving the production method that focuses on the improvement of strength and durability. This advancement will help in enhancing the quality of nonwoven composites and subsequently, their demand, which will help companies in broadening their customer base and boost their overall revenue.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Nonwoven Composites Market:

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted the global nonwoven composites market. The implementation of strict lockdowns, traveling restrictions, and social distancing measures across several nations hindered many companies' manufacturing capacities and caused a shortage of skilled workforce. The pandemic caused disruptions in supply chains and distribution of goods and services, which highly affected the production and distribution of nonwoven composites. This factor negatively impacted the growth of the global nonwoven composites market. However, the pandemic accelerated the requirement for medical nonwoven products, such as surgical masks, gowns, and other protective apparel, which increased the demand for nonwoven composites. This factor positively impacted the market's growth. Therefore, the global nonwoven composites market experienced both challenges and opportunities during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Recent Developments:

• In March 2022, Freudenberg Performance Materials, a German manufacturer of high-performance technical textiles and nonwovens, launched a new geogrid composite, EnkaGrid MAX C. This new product is developed to make construction projects more efficient. This product bonds a separation and filtration of non-woven geotextile to a reinforcing grid.

• In June 2020, Lydall, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of specialty engineered products for the thermal/acoustical and filtration/separation markets, unveiled an investment in a new machine to manufacture fine fiber melt-blown material. This decision was made owing to the sudden surge in demand for high-quality filtration media for face masks within the company's home country, the United States, and worldwide. 

• In January 2020, Sigmatex, a US-based carbon fiber textile manufacturer, launched a new type of nonwoven fabric made from recycled carbon fiber in the composites market. This nonwoven fabric is developed using high-quality carbon fiber waste, along with intact sizing, which helps in providing great bonding strength between the fiber and resin. The newly launched fabric is very adaptable and has uniform properties, which provides it with great mechanical capabilities. 

NONWOVEN COMPOSITES MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Segmentation: By Material Type

• Polypropylene (PP)

• Polyethylene (PE)

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

• Wood pulp

• Rayon

• Others

In 2022, the polypropylene (PP) segment held the highest market share. The growth can be attributed to the advantages that polypropylene offers in comparison to other materials, including resistance to high temperature and moisture, moderate tensile strength, lightweight, high durability, and low cost. As a result of these advantages, the demand for polypropylene-based nonwoven composites is rising in the applications of hygiene products like baby diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products, etc. Due to the increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials in the applications of hygiene products, which also offer advantages, such as high strength and high durability, the wood pulp segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest rate over the forecast period.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Segmentation: By Manufacturing Process

• Spunbond

• Meltblown

• Spunmelt

• Others

In 2022, the spun bond segment held the highest market share. The growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for spun bond nonwoven composites in a variety of applications, including hygiene products, agriculture, construction, filtration, battery separators, and coating substrates, among others, owing to their excellent strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Due to the increasing demand for the manufacturing process which provides properties, such as fine filtration, lightweight, softness, and non-irritation to nonwoven composites, the spun melt segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest rate over the forecast period.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Segmentation: By Application

• Automotive

• Building & Construction

• Filtration

• Hygiene

• Medical

• Others

In 2022, the hygiene segment held the highest market share. The growth can be attributed to the increasing use of nonwoven composites in hygiene products owing to their superior properties, including high strength, high durability, high comfort, softness, breathability, smoothness, stretchability, and cost-effectiveness. Due to the increasing demand for medical nonwoven products, including gowns, surgical masks, coveralls, and hospital disposables, among others, the medical segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest rate over the forecast period.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• South America

• Middle East and Africa

In 2022, the region of Asia-Pacific held the largest share of the global nonwoven composites market. The growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for hygiene products and medical nonwoven products owing to the expanding working population in nations, such as China and India, and the increasing demand for nonwoven composites for applications in the automotive industry, including sound and thermal insulation. In addition, the region is home to several significant market players, including Toray Industries, Inc., Autotech Nonwovens Pvt Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals, Asahi Kasei Corporation, and HOGY Medical. Due to the rising adoption of nonwoven composites in numerous industry verticals, including geotextiles, building and construction, and industrial, the region of Asia-Pacific will continue to expand at the fastest rate over the forecast period.

Global Nonwoven Composites Market Key Players:

1. Johns Manville Corporation (United States)

2. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (United States)

3. Freudenberg Group (Germany)

4. Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan)

5. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (United States)

6. AVINTIV Specialty Materials Inc. (United States)

7. Fitesa S.A. (United States)

8. Lydall Inc. (United States)

9. Glatfelter (United States)

10. TWE Group GmbH (Germany)