The global polypropylene nonwoven fabric market size was estimated at 27,445.2 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030. The product demand is expected to witness significant growth over the projected period on account of rising product demand in end-use industries including hygiene, medical, automotive, agriculture, and furnishing. High demand for polypropylene non-woven fabric in the hygiene industry for manufacturing sanitary products for babies, women, and adults is likely to drive industry growth.
Spunbonded technology is the most widely used manufacturing process for polypropylene non-woven fabrics. Low cost and easy production process associated with this technology have been the key factor for a higher market share of these products. The demand for meltblown and composite products is expected to grow in geotextiles and industrial applications on account of their high moisture barrier and high strength properties. However, the high cost associated with meltblown polypropylene nonwoven fabrics is expected to hamper their market growth over the projected period.
The U.S. held the largest share in terms of revenue and accounted for 65.5% of the total market share in 2022. The U.S. emerged as one of the largest markets for polypropylene nonwoven fabric, in 2022, owing to huge demand from the healthcare industry on account of the COVID outbreak in the country. The country witnessed an increase in demand for disposable polypropylene nonwovens, which are primarily manufactured using spunbonded technology, owing to its wide usage in personal protective equipment.
The market is highly fragmented due to the presence of a large number of small players operating worldwide. It is characterized by high competition on prices that places a heavy demand on the development of innovative products and production efficiency thereby increasing competitive rivalry in the market. In addition, major manufacturers of polypropylene nonwoven fabric work together with their customers, raw material suppliers, and machinery manufacturers to research, develop, and implement new products to compete based on product differentiation and low-cost technology.
The largest polypropylene nonwoven producers are Berry Global, Freudenberg, Kimberly-Clark Corp., Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj, and Johns Manville Corp. The top 10 polypropylene nonwoven producers accounted for more than 50% of the total market share in 2022. Furthermore, prominent players in the market are focusing on enhancements in business by expanding their geographical reach and introducing application-specified products. Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and agreements are considered by these players to expand their portfolio and business reach.
Spunbound led the market and accounted for a revenue of USD 12,419.6 million in 2022 as it is the simplest and the most cost-efficient technology used for manufacturing polypropylene nonwoven fabrics. Excellent properties offered by spunbonded nonwoven fabrics coupled with high process efficiency associated with this technology are likely to drive the product demand in various applications. These applications include geotextiles, hygiene, medical, packaging, and shoe manufacturing among others. Spunbonded is the most widely used technology for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics.
The characteristics offered by these products vary from lightweight, flexible structures to highly stiff and heavy structures, thus offering wide application scope across end-use industries. The spunbonded nonwoven fabrics are characterized by random fibrous structures, high opacity, high tear strength, low drape ability, high liquid retention capacity, and excellent fray and crease resistance. The spunbonded nonwoven fabrics offer excellent tensile strength and filtration properties on account of their ability to resist chemical attack and provide a moisture barrier.
Staples polypropylene nonwoven fabrics are gaining importance in medical applications over other polypropylene nonwoven fabrics on account of their finer filtration and low-pressure drop properties. Increasing staple polypropylene nonwoven penetration in medical applications such as gloves, medical packaging, surgical gowns, masks, drapes, and covers is expected to augment the market growth. Surgical drapes, gowns, and masks are expected to be primary products driving demand for staples polypropylene nonwoven fabrics. Therefore, stapes polypropylene nonwoven fabric demand is expected to further increase around the world.
Composite had a revenue of USD 1,124.1 million in 2022 as they exhibit high strength owing to the rise in the sanitary and hygiene industry. The polypropylene nonwoven composite fabric is used to manufacture baby diapers, sanitary napkins, and adult diapers. In addition, these fabrics are also used to manufacture medical and surgical products such as drapes, masks, caps, and gowns. Growing demand for these products as filtration material and oil absorbents is expected to further bolster its market growth in the future.
The hygiene application segment accounted for the largest share in 2022 and is expected to be USD 27,957.2 million over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030. Nonwoven fabric materials offer excellent smoothness, softness, comfort, stretchability, fluid-barring capacity, and absorption as compared to traditional textiles. Thus, are gaining high demand for manufacturing hygiene products.
These products help in retaining fences inside the fabric and retain and absorb urine thus isolating wetness from the skin. These products are odorless and offer excellent smoothness unlike traditional fabrics, thus are likely to gain high demand over the projected period. The increasing geriatric population, leading to the rising occurrence of chronic diseases such as diabetes is likely to drive demand for adult incontinence products, over the forecast period. Thus, positively influencing the demand for polypropylene nonwoven fabrics.
The industrial application segment accounted for the fastest-growing segment in 2022 with a CAGR of 9.2% over the forecast period. Polypropylene nonwoven fabrics are used for manufacturing coated fabrics, display felts, tapes, conveyor belts, cable insulation, air conditioner filters, semiconductor polishing pads, noise absorber felt, etc. in industrial applications. Thus, resulting in increased demand for polypropylene nonwoven fabric in industrial applications.
Medical emerged as the second largest application segment for the industry and it reached USD 6,082.9 million valuation in 2022. Polypropylene nonwoven fabrics are used for manufacturing surgical caps, gowns, masks, drapes, bed linen, gloves, shrouds, underpads, heat packs, ostomy bag liners, incubator mattresses, etc. in the medical industry. The increasing number of surgical procedures is expected to act as a major driving factor for the demand for polypropylene nonwoven fabrics in the medical industry.
Asia Pacific dominated the polypropylene nonwoven fabric market and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% in terms of revenue during the forecast period 2023-2030. This growth can be attributed to the growing demand for durable polypropylene nonwoven fabrics in industries such as construction, agriculture, and automobile over the forecast period. In addition, polypropylene nonwoven fabrics are majorly used in consumer products such as disposable diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine care products, thus driving product demand.
The demand for polypropylene nonwoven fabrics in North America is likely to witness moderate growth over the projected period owing to the continuous demand from the hygiene, medical, and automotive industry. The industry growth in recent years is likely to grow at a slower pace over the forecast period owing to the market achieving maturity.
The nonwoven industry in Europe is witnessing growth in terms of production on account of the presence of several established nonwoven fabric manufacturers in the region. The nonwoven industry in well-established economies such as France is expected to witness steady growth, whereas countries including the U.K., Romania, Russia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic are expected to gain traction in terms of production growth. This is expected to fuel the growth of the industry for polypropylene nonwoven fabric industry over the forecast period.
Central & South America was valued at USD 2,245.8 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% over the forecast period. High consumer awareness regarding health, hygiene, and safety is expected to positively impact the polypropylene nonwoven fabrics industry over the forecast period. The economic recovery in the region is expected to support the modest growth in the polypropylene nonwoven fabrics industry. Furthermore, increasing healthcare expenditure in the region is expected to drive the hygiene and medical segment’s growth over the forecast period.
Key players in the market are entering into agreements with emerging and small-scale players to expand their distribution capacities and increase the geographical presence of their products. Furthermore, manufacturers are focusing on other efficient and effective distribution channels. As a result, companies are likely to establish partnerships with e-commerce portals to ensure that buyers have timely access to polypropylene nonwoven fabric products.
The innovation, development, and production of polypropylene nonwovens are influenced by the presence of major players, which contribute to a large share of the market. While many of the leading companies are based in developed regions such as North America and Europe, many companies based in emerging economies in Asia continue to invest and grow, increasing their share in the market. Some prominent players in the global polypropylene nonwoven fabric market include:
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Berry Global, Inc.
Lydall, Inc.
First Quality Nonwovens Inc.
PFNonwovens a.s.
Schouw & Co.
Mitsui Chemicals Inc.
FITESA
Toray Industries Inc.
Freudenberg Group
Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj
Johns Manville Corporation
Suominen Corporation
Asahi Kasai Corporation
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2023 |
USD 28,830.2 million |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 45,296.7 million |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030 |
Base year for estimation |
2022 |
Actual estimates/Historical data |
2018 - 2021 |
Forecast period |
2023 - 2030 |
Quantitative units |
Volume in kilotons, revenue in USD Million, and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central & South America; Middle East & Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; Mexico; U.K.; Germany; France; Spain; Italy; Russia; China; Japan; India; South Korea; Oceania; Taiwan; Thailand; Malaysia; Brazil; Argentina; Saudi Arabia; Turkey; South Africa; Egypt; UAE |
Segments covered |
Product, application, region |
Key companies profiled |
Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Berry Global, Inc.; Lydall, Inc.; First Quality Nonwovens Inc.; PFNonwovens a.s.; Schouw & Co.; Mitsui Chemicals Inc.; FITESA; Toray Industries Inc.; Freudenberg Group; Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj; Johns Manville Corporation; Suominen Corporation; Asahi Kasai Corporation |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global polypropylene nonwoven fabric market report based on product, application, and region:
Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Spunbound
Staples
Meltblown
Composite
Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Hygiene
Industrial
Medical
Geotextiles
Furnishings
Carpet
Agriculture
Automotive
Others
Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Square Meters; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
U.K.
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Russia
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
India
South Korea
Oceania
Taiwan
Thailand
Malaysia
Central & South America
Brazil
Argentina
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
South Africa
Egypt
UAE
b. The global polypropylene nonwoven fabric market size was estimated at USD 27,445.2 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 28,830.2 million in 2023.
b. The global polypropylene nonwoven fabric market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 45,296.7 million by 2030.
b. Spunbound product dominated polypropylene nonwoven fabric market with a share of 48.0% in 2022 owing to its random fibrous structures, high opacity, high tear strength, low drape ability, high liquid retention capacity and excellent fray and crease resistance.
b. Some of the key players operating in the polypropylene nonwoven fabric market include Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Berry Global, Inc., Lydall, Inc., PFNonwovens a.s., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., FITESA, Toray Industries Inc.
b. The key factor which is driving polypropylene nonwoven fabric market is rising product demand in end-use industries including hygiene, medical, automotive, agriculture and furnishing.
GET A FREE SAMPLE
This FREE sample includes market data points, ranging from trend analyses to market estimates & forecasts. See for yourself.
NEED A CUSTOM REPORT?
We can customize every report - free of charge - including purchasing stand-alone sections or country-level reports, as well as offer affordable discounts for start-ups & universities.
Contact us now to get our best pricing.
ESOMAR certified & member
Leading SME award by D&B
We are GDPR and CCPA compliant! Your transaction & personal information is safe and secure. For more details, please read our privacy policy.
"The quality of research they have done for us has been excellent."
The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden pause to manufacturing activities across the globe, affecting the demand for plastics and also production & processing of them. The most critically impacted end-use segments of the plastics industry include automotive & transportation, consumer goods, industrial equipment, construction, and electronics. The report will account for Covid19 as a key market contributor.
We value your investment and offer free customization with every report to fulfil your exact research needs.