The market and applications of PP nonwoven fabrics
2026-02-06
Non-woven fabric, also known as nonwoven fabric, is a type of fabric made directly from polymer chips, short fibers, or filaments, which are formed into a web through airflow or mechanical means, then reinforced by hydroentangling, needle punching, or thermal bonding, and finally finished through post-processing. Currently, most non-woven fabrics use PP (polypropylene) as the raw material, possessing characteristics such as softness, breathability, strength, and durability. Compared to cotton fabrics, non-woven fabrics are easier to shape and cheaper to produce.
Industry Insights
According to the latest research report from the US market research company Grand View Research, the global demand for PP non-woven fabric was 1,835 tons in 2012 and 1,949 tons in 2013. In recent years, the demand for PP non-woven fabric has surged due to its increasing use in the manufacturing of hygiene products such as baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult diapers. The continuous population growth in the Asia-Pacific region is driving the sales of consumer disposable products such as diapers and sanitary napkins. This trend is expected to further boost the growth of the global non-woven fabric market. Due to its excellent tensile strength and durability, PP non-woven fabric is also becoming increasingly popular in the automotive, construction, and geotextile industries. By 2020, growth in these industries in emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America will have a positive impact on the PP non-woven fabric market. The aging population trend in regions such as Japan, Western Europe, and the United States will be a major factor driving the sales of adult diapers, thus boosting the demand for PP non-woven fabric in the next six years.
At the same time, stringent environmental regulations based on concerns about the biodegradability and recyclability of PP pose challenges for market participants. The uncertainty of crude oil reserves and the volatility of petrochemical product prices are major factors affecting propylene price changes, which in turn affect the entire PP non-woven fabric market due to raw material supply. To address these challenges, the non-woven fabric market has shifted its focus to developing bio-based PP materials, which presents a significant opportunity for market players in the next six years.
Application Observations
The main applications of PP non-woven fabric can be divided into disposable products and durable products. Here, the application market for PP nonwoven fabrics is segmented into industrial, hygiene, furniture, medical, agriculture, carpets, geotextiles, and others (including clothing, automotive, and construction). The hygiene sector is the main application market for PP nonwoven fabrics, accounting for over one-third of the total market volume in 2013. Hygiene applications include baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, adult diapers, and wet wipes. The aging populations in Japan, the United States, Canada, Russia, and other Western European countries will drive the sales of adult diapers, thus boosting the demand for PP nonwoven fabrics in the hygiene sector. The high birth rates in North Africa and the Middle East will also drive the demand for PP nonwoven fabrics in the baby diaper sector.
Regional Outlook
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global PP nonwoven fabric market, accounting for over 40% of the total market volume in 2013. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to remain the largest consumer market over the next six years. On the other hand, the Middle East PP nonwoven fabric market, although relatively small, will be the most attractive market over the next six years, maintaining a steady growth momentum. Western Europe and North America are relatively mature markets, and their growth rates will be relatively low by 2020.
Competitive Landscape
The global PP nonwoven fabric market is highly fragmented, dominated by a few leading companies. These companies are engaged in extensive research and development to achieve product innovation. Large companies have acquired smaller companies to expand their market share and reduce competition, such as Polymer Group's acquisition of 71.25% of the equity of Brazilian nonwoven manufacturer Companhia Providência in 2014. Simultaneously, manufacturers are shifting their focus to expanding production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to meet the growing demand: in 2013, Polymer Group began expanding the capacity of its factory in Nanhai City, Guangdong Province, China. Leading PP nonwoven fabric companies with a global presence include Fibertex, AVGOL, Kimberly-Clark, Fiberweb, First Quality, Toray, Mitsui, and PGI.
