Nonwoven Industry Achieves Significant Growth Rates in 2024

The nonwoven fabric industry continued to make its mark in the global market in 2024, showing strong growth. Shaped by technological advancements, eco-friendly solutions, and sustainability-focused innovations, the industry is drawing attention with promising growth expectations for the future.

2024 is recorded as a year of significant transformation for the global nonwoven fabric industry. The industry, which reached a size of approximately 18 billion USD in the global market, gained momentum with sustainable production techniques and environmentally friendly innovations. The expansion of industrial and consumer-focused applications reinforced the industry’s growth, while technological advancements made production processes more efficient. Nonwoven fabrics, with increasing demand in sectors like hygiene, medical, automotive, and construction, are strengthening future growth expectations.

Market Size and Growth Rates

As of 2024, the global nonwoven fabric market is valued at 18.063 billion USD. The market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.1% between 2025 and 2030, reaching 27.184 billion USD by 2030. According to Straits Research data, the nonwoven fabric market size in 2024 is 58.189 million USD, and it is expected to reach 104.508 million USD by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%.

According to GlobeNewswire reports, the market value in 2024 reached approximately 26.99 billion USD, and it is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.84% to reach 39.37 billion USD by 2029. These figures indicate that the nonwoven fabric industry is a rapidly growing and evolving market, with strong future growth expectations.

Production and Consumption Data

Industrial nonwoven fabric consumption is expected to be 5.3 million tons in 2024. Between 2024 and 2029, this consumption is projected to grow by 7.3% annually in terms of tonnage, 8.0% in square meters, and 8.2% in dollars. This growth is expected to accelerate with the adoption of eco-friendly and innovative production methods.

Regional Distribution

Looking at the regional distribution of the market, North America accounted for 17.6% of the global nonwoven fabric market in 2024. The Asia-Pacific region holds 40% of the market, with China taking the lead. By 2030, China is expected to emerge as the largest player in the market. Europe also holds a significant share in nonwoven fabric production and consumption, particularly due to the contributions of countries like Germany, France, and Italy.

Product Segments and Application Areas

By 2024, the fastest-growing segment of nonwoven fabrics is disposable products. This segment generated 11.775 billion USD in revenue and continues to grow in response to increasing demand. Nonwoven fabrics are widely used in sectors such as hygiene products, medical applications, automotive, and construction.

• Hygiene Products: Diapers, feminine hygiene products, and incontinence products are some of the most common uses of nonwoven fabrics. Demand in this area is increasing, especially with the growing population and living standards in developing economies.
• Medical Applications: Surgical drapes, sterile bandages, and medical masks are key applications of nonwoven fabrics in the medical field. The COVID-19 pandemic further increased demand for these products.
• Automotive: Nonwoven fabrics are widely used in the automotive industry for interior trims, sound insulation, and filtration systems. Developments in the automotive industry are supporting the growth of this segment.
• Construction: Nonwoven fabrics are used in geotextiles, waterproofing, and ground reinforcement. Developments in this area are leading to an increased preference for nonwoven fabrics in the construction sector.

Technological Developments

Technological innovations play a crucial role in the production of nonwoven fabrics. Advances in production methods such as spunbond, meltblown, and airlaid are making production processes more efficient and sustainable. Spunbond technology held a significant share of the market, valued at 17.9 billion USD in 2022, and is expected to reach 33 billion USD by 2030. Additionally, the use of biodegradable and sustainable raw materials is supporting the spread of eco-friendly products.

2024 was an important year for the nonwoven fabric industry in terms of growth. The market value and growth rates strongly reflect the sector’s future potential. This growth is particularly supported by increased demand in the hygiene, medical, and automotive sectors. The eco-friendly production methods, biodegradable materials, and the growing demand for sustainable products will continue to play a crucial role in the industry’s development. Furthermore, advancing technologies and innovative production methods will allow the industry to become more competitive and reduce costs.

In the coming years, the nonwoven fabric industry is expected to continue growing, with more industrial and consumer-focused applications. With sustainability and environmental awareness at the forefront, the industry’s ability to adapt to technological advancements and innovations is expected to ensure its continued growth.