World Nonwovens

World Nonwovens

The global nonwovens market will advance 5.4% annually through 2019, reaching 11.1 million metric tons. Strong economic growth and higher consumer spending will promote increases in manufacturing activity of goods for which nonwovens are commonly consumed in their production.
This report provides data on the global nonwovens industry for six regions and 19 countries. The nonwovens industry is segmented by Web Formation Process, Application, and Market. Data are provided in metric tons.

Regions covered include:
North America
Western Europe
Asia/Pacific
Central & South America
Eastern Europe
Africa/Mideast

The Asia/Pacific region will maintain its position as the largest regional market in 2019, representing over half of the world total. This region will also post the most rapid gains through 2019, primarily due to economic growth in China that exceeds the world average. China will continue to expand its production capabilities for consumer goods, such as footwear, wipes, and other products that typically consume nonwovens in their manufacture.

Web formation processes include:
Spunmelt
Carded
Wetlaid
Airlaid

Spunmelt was the web formation process used most often in nonwovens production in 2014, accounting for 47% of demand. The use of spunmelt nonwovens in the large and growing disposable personal hygiene market will provide above-average gains through 2019.

Applications include:
Disposables
Non-disposables

Disposables were the larger application in 2014, accounting for 57% of demand. These applications will achieve the most growth through 2019, boosted by the greater use of disposable products in developing areas of the world as personal income levels and standards of living increase.

Major markets for nonwovens are:
Personal Hygiene
Wipes
Construction
Filtration
Medical/Surgical
Motor Vehicles
Other (e.g., agriculture, battery separators, clothing, and packaging)

Personal hygiene was the largest market for nonwovens in 2014, with 17% of the total. While personal hygiene will remain the largest market through 2019, the motor vehicle market is expected to post the most rapid gains. Increases in vehicle production and greater use of nonwovens on a per vehicle basis will promote growth.

The global nonwovens industry experienced significant acquisition and divestiture activity in recent years. Participants include Ahlstrom, Asahi Kasei, AVINTIV, DuPont, Évora, Freudenberg, Jacob Holm, Japan Vilene, Johns Manville, Kimberly-Clark, Low & Bonar, Owns Corning, Pegas Nonwovens, Sandler, Suominen, and Toray Industries.