While there have been significant surges in volumes for some nonwovens, like meltblown for face masks and spunlace for disinfecting wipes, these have been offset by significant decreases in spunlace and airlaid for tabletop, food service and industrial wipes, as well as in automotive and building/roofing. Many of these end uses are relatively small (for example, face mask media was only 0.3% of total nonwovens in 2020, while disinfecting wipes were only 0.8%) or have recovered to some degree by 2022 (for example, automotive and building/roofing have both reached pre-pandemic consumption levels).
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This report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research consisted of targeted interviews with nonwovens material suppliers, converters and experts drawn from key markets. This was supported by secondary research in the form of extensive literature analysis of published data, official government statistics, domestic and international trade organisation data, company websites, industry reports, trade press articles, presentations, and attendance at trade events.
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Phil Mango has spent almost 40 years in the nonwovens industry. He has had varying positions and areas of expertise within the industry, from applications management for the global leader in nonwoven binders to technology director for the world’s largest airlaid producer, to founder, owner and head of operations for his own nonwovens company. He entered the consulting field in 2003 and has authored more than 35 reports for Smithers.
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- The global consumption of nonwovens in 2022 will be 13.4 million tonnes or 375.3 billion square metres (m2), valued at $56.4 billion
- Growth rates for 2017-22 are 5.8% (tonnes), 6.8% ($), and 5.9% (m2)
- Face mask nonwoven consumption CAGR drops from around 17% for 2017-22 to -3.5% for 2022-27
- Growth rates for 2022-27 are forecast at 6.8% (tonnes), 7.7% (m2), and 6.7% ($). These values are close to pre-pandemic forecasts and reflect market ‘corrections’ for those end-use markets which either experienced exceptional increases or decreases due to Covid-19
- In 2020-21 the overall effect of the pandemic was relatively minor on the total global nonwovens industry; but some individual market segments were significantly affected.
- An overview of the growth of nonwovens from 2017 through 2027, with a detailed quantitative breakdown of nonwoven consumption by specific process (and even process variant), raw material usage, end-use and region
- Key trends such as nonwovens’ response to potential ‘tax’ on single use plastics, the overall sustainability movement, and the regulatory and consumer scrutiny of flushable wipes
- Detailed analysis of value chains for both disposable and durable nonwovens.
This report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research consisted of targeted interviews with nonwovens material suppliers, converters and experts drawn from key markets. This was supported by secondary research in the form of extensive literature analysis of published data, official government statistics, domestic and international trade organisation data, company websites, industry reports, trade press articles, presentations, and attendance at trade events.
Who should buy this report?
- Materials suppliers
- Nonwoven equipment suppliers
- Wipe manufacturers
- Brand owners
Phil Mango has spent almost 40 years in the nonwovens industry. He has had varying positions and areas of expertise within the industry, from applications management for the global leader in nonwoven binders to technology director for the world’s largest airlaid producer, to founder, owner and head of operations for his own nonwovens company. He entered the consulting field in 2003 and has authored more than 35 reports for Smithers.
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