According to a new report published by MarketsandMarkets, the market for nonwovens fabrics is projected to grow from $32.7 billion in 2015 to $47.7 Billion by 2020, with an estimated CAGR of 7.86%. Nonwovens growth is due to the increasing technological advancements leading to new product developments and increasing awareness among the consumers and their pace of adopting the products.

The growing hygiene and medical industry also provides an opportunity for the market to grow further, especially in the emerging Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions. However, volatile raw material prices and the gaps in the management of the supply chain may affect the price of the end product and can also act as a restraint to the growth of the market for nonwoven fabrics.

Polypropylene, a key raw material used in the manufacture of nonwoven fabrics,  is extremely versatile as a fiber-forming material. It can be used in a wide range of fibrous forms.and  can be softened sufficiently to bond with other fibers, hence reducing the need for chemical binding. Because of superior characteristics, performance and low cost compared to other synthetic fibers, polypropylene fibers are widely used in this industry and dominate the nonwovens market. The fabrics made from polypropylene are used for manufacturing hygiene products such as baby diapers and adult incontinence. Other applications of PP are commonly found in home furnishings and automobile market.

On the basis of key regions, the market for non-woven fabrics is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world (RoW). The Asia-Pacific region held the largest share among all the regions in 2014. This is mainly due to emerging economies in China and India, coupled with growing awareness among the consumers about the benefits of using nonwoven products.