The global medical nonwovens market has gone through major shifts in recent years, driven mainly by the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. While demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) skyrocketed during the crisis, other segments of the market faced declines due to the postponement of non-essential medical procedures.

In 2023, consumption of medical nonwovens was 445,000 metric tons, valued at $1.44 billion, according to Smithers’ most recent data for medical nonwovens from the report, The Future of Global Nonwovens to 2028. Figures for 2023 still reflected the tail end of the major disruption caused by Covid-19.

Much of this disruption can be traced to shifts in healthcare priorities during the pandemic. While Covid-19 radically raised demand for PPE face masks, less appreciated was that as healthcare facilities focused on fighting the virus, they cancelled non-emergency procedures, including elective surgeries, according to Smithers. This caused a corresponding drop in the use of surgical drapes and gowns, which are around 50% of the overall volume in medical nonwovens. This built up a large number of postponed medical surgeries that had to be completed once lockdown orders were relaxed.

Generally, the outlook continues to be positive. At that time, Smithers’ forecast was for a compound annual growth rate of +7.9% (by volume), taking world consumption to 678,100 tons in 2029. Value growth would be slower, reflecting some oversupply.

“The supply-demand balance in the medical nonwovens market has shifted notably in recent years,” comments S. Ziya Gümüser, general manager of Turkish nonwovens producer Teknomelt. “While the pandemic triggered a surge in demand and raw material shortages, the post-pandemic period led to oversupply and intense price competition.”

Teknomelt responded to market changes by focusing on high-value-added medical fabrics—not just pandemic-related products. It also secured strategic raw material agreements to manage cost and supply risks. Additionally, the company invested in sustainable technologies and digital quality control systems, while also expanding export markets to ensure agility in meeting global demand.

Brazilian-based nonwovens producer Fitesa expects the market to remain oversupplied in the short- to mid-term, as global spunmelt and meltblown capacities surged during the pandemic. “Our ability to adapt lies on the foundations of fast decision-making and long-term focus, which supports our continuous investment in the expansion and improvement of our manufacturing capacity and product portfolio,” says Mariana Mynarski, global marketing and ESG manager, Fitesa.

The company’s latest investment includes lines capable of producing materials with superior barrier and softness levels. Product innovations include biobased fabrics, antimicrobial treatments, dual-sided materials, high-strength wipes and softer fabrics for improved comfort, Mynarski adds.

While demand for pandemic-related items like medical masks has declined, overall awareness of hygiene remains high, according to Tom Chang, vice president, International Hygiene Operations, KNH Enterprise.

“The market now faces oversupply, so we’re shifting toward specialized medical applications and consumer healthcare products to create new demand,” he says.

R&D Efforts Continue

As the pandemic recedes, nonwovens manufacturers are prioritizing innovation to address shifting demands in healthcare.

KNH, a Taiwan-based manufacturer that supplies breathable thermal-bond and high-efficiency meltblown nonwovens for medical use, has developed a graphene-infused hydrophilic nonwoven, now patented in Taiwan, designed to deliver far-infrared energy benefits such as thermal retention, enhanced microcirculation and physical comfort support.

The material is being positioned for medical and wellness-related applications, including wound dressings, recovery supports and wearable therapeutic products. “This development underscores KNH’s continued focus on functional nonwovens that integrate material science and health technology,” says Chang.

Teknomelt, which produces medical nonwovens using spunbond, meltblown,and SMS/SMMS composites—as well as ultrasonic bonding, converting and lamination processes—has focused its R&D on antibacterial and antifungal surface treatments, breathable barrier fabrics and multi-layer structures enhanced through lamination technologies. With its high-efficiency meltblown lines, Teknomelt develops fabrics that deliver strong performance in critical parameters such as Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE).

According to Gümüser, customer demands in this market focus not only on specific quality standards but also on comfort, sustainability and supply security. Additionally, there is strong demand for fabrics that provide effective protection against blood, fluids and microorganisms. Comfort is also a key expectation, especially for products that come into prolonged contact with the skin, such as masks and gowns.

There is also growing awareness of the environmental impact of disposable products, leading to increased demand for recyclable and biodegradable alternatives. In response to this trend, Teknomelt has completed new investments aimed at sustainable production using biodegradable and recyclable fibers.

While nonwovens producers continue to advance the performance and sustainability of medical fabrics, PPE manufacturers are also evolving by adapting their product designs to address changing needs.


Hartmann, a manufacturer of single-use nonwoven PPE products, continues to strengthen its existing product categories. The company’s new drapes for hip surgery make it easier for nursing staff to prepare their patients and save time in the operating room.

Hartmann’s Foliodrape hip drapes are used as covers for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, among other procedures. They improve hygiene by reducing contact points with patients and cut preparation time for surgical staff by up to 50%. In addition, the number of staff required to prepare patients can be reduced from three to two specialists. 

In terms of product design, the company reports that current healthcare trends are increasingly shaped by tighter budget constraints, which drive the need for “leaner” product designs—reducing costs without compromising perceived value or essential performance. Additionally, workforce shortages in healthcare mean products must often be designed for faster, easier application, sometimes requiring fewer staff. Growing levels of production automation are also influencing product specifications and construction.

In response to these trends, Hartmann stays focused on two priorities: cost efficiency and product differentiation. The company reduces costs by optimizing the entire value chain, including packaging, while also supporting its CO2 and sustainability goals. To differentiate, it designs products for faster, easier application, reduced staffing needs and improved hygiene standards, the company says.

For Medline, another major supplier of PPE, governing bodies like ASTM, AAMI and NIOSH are regularly adding new guidelines to ensure providers remain safe when giving care and ensuring the company follows those regulations is its highest priority when it comes to product design. “Following the Covid-19 pandemic, these have become extremely important to providers, so we have seen an increase in purchases for both AAMI rated gowns and facial protection at higher ASTM levels over un-rated protection which had been popular previously,” says Taylor Scott, director of product management and marketing for personal protection, Medline.

A big focus this year for the company has been increasing its domestic footprint and launching Made in USA gowns, shoe covers and lab coats. Two additional new products that have seen major traction this year are Medline’s 3-panel N95 that users have found to be lightweight and comfortable, and a polyethylene boot cover that is both fluid protective and extremely grippy, Scott says. 

Softbond Invests in Spunmelt

In January, Argentinian nonwoven producer Softbond announced it would add a new multibeam spunmelt line at its main production site in Pilar, Buenos Aires. The new line, expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of this year, will increase Softbond’s production capacity by 9,000 tons per year, serving hygiene and medical nonwoven demand in Argentina and South America.

“We are proud to announce our new investment with this line, adding new capacity to fulfill the growing demand of our products from customers in Argentina and South America,” says Softbond’s executive director Alessio Romanelli. “The new production line will offer softer nonwovens for hygiene and medical applications using the latest available technology and automatization processes.”


In addition to spunmelt, Softbond supplies spunbond to the medical market, which is part of its hygiene business. These materials are used in medical apparel, gowns, caps and face masks, among others. Softbond also has a dedicated meltblown line for face mask applications, which requires BFE 99% filtration grade.

Due to the surge in demand for medical nonwovens during the pandemic, Softbond added new production capacity, particularly for meltblown materials. In mid-2021, as global vaccination efforts progressed, demand began to slow. However, usage of medical nonwovens has remained higher than pre-pandemic levels, Romanelli says.

According to Romanelli, one of the biggest challenges in the medical market is accelerating the shift from traditional reusable clothing to more cost-effective single-use nonwoven alternatives in hospitals and clinics. Unlike standard medical clothing, nonwoven-based products eliminate the need for intensive laundering and reduce associated costs. Medical nonwovens also offer a high level of barrier protection, enhancing safety for healthcare workers.

“In the coming years, the use and standardization of medical nonwovens must continue to grow, particularly in areas where their adoption remains limited compared to traditional medical clothing,” he says.

Winner Medical Acquires Majority Stake in GRI

Last year, Winner Medical Co., Ltd. acquired a 75.2% stake in Global Resources International, Inc. (GRI) in a cash deal valued around $120 million. The acquisition of the U.S.-based company is Winner Medical’s first international equity acquisition project and marks an important step in its global strategy, providing it with an expanded manufacturing footprint with sites in the U.S., Dominican Republic, Vietnam and China.

“This acquisition strengthens Winner’s overseas production capacity and enhances its ability to deliver localized services globally,” says Johnson Su, sales director of the Key Account Department at Winner Medical.

Based in Georgia, GRI was founded in 2000 and is a global medical consumables and industrial protective equipment manufacturer, specializing in surgical kits, drapes, sheets, containers, surgical gowns and industrial protective clothing. In addition to multiple production facilities worldwide, GRI has sales and logistics networks in both the U.S. and Europe. In 2023, GRI’s revenue exceeded $150 million, with its main business spread across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

GRI’s production and logistics bases in the Americas and Asia will directly complement Winner Medical’s production capacity, which currently includes eight facilities in China. The sites in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic factories can fully leverage labor cost advantages. At the same time, Winner Medical can adapt to local market trends in the U.S. and Europe by being rooted in overseas production facilities. Winner Medical will also bring its intelligent manufacturing capabilities and digital systems to co-create sustainable new production capabilities, comprehensively improving its ability to flexibly respond to opportunities and challenges in global export markets.

In the medical nonwovens market, Winner Medical’s R&D system is centered on cotton spunlace nonwoven technology, encompassing full-chain technical capabilities spanning cotton raw material selection to process innovation.


By preserving the natural fiber structure of cotton through physical processing, Winner Medical’s medical-grade cotton spunlace technology​​ achieves high breathability, skin-friendliness and sterile protection, meeting the stringent biocompatibility requirements of medical scenarios, says Su. This technology is used for medical protection products such as surgical gowns, isolation gowns, protective suits and masks, as well as wound care substrates and hygiene products.

​​The company also develops functional materials with antibacterial, antistatic, alcohol-resistant and blood-resistant properties tailored to diverse medical applications, for example, cotton three-resistant surgical gowns and antistatic protective clothing.

According to Su, cotton fibers have been utilized in medical wound care and surgical blood absorption for over 3,500 years, with their safety rigorously validated through millennia of clinical practice. “In the U.S., cotton is classified as a food crop by the FDA, subject to stringent regulatory oversight,” he explains. “Studies confirm that cotton products cause no irritation or adverse reactions when in contact with human skin, offering exceptional biocompatibility. Notably, cotton meets edible-grade standards for pesticide and heavy metal residues, aligning with eco-label certifications. This makes it ideal for neonatal care, sensitive-skin patients and long-term medical applications requiring minimal risk of complications.”

The natural porous structure of cotton fibers enhances breathability by 30-50%, significantly improving patient comfort during wound dressing. “Reduced moisture buildup lowers the risk of secondary infections caused by sweat accumulation,” Su says. “For healthcare workers, cotton-based surgical gowns and protective suits mitigate heat and discomfort during prolonged wear, ensuring both safety and ergonomic comfort in high-stress environments.”

Additionally, compared to traditional polypropylene (PP) nonwovens, cotton products reduce carbon footprints by at least 50%, he claims. Moreover, cotton decomposes completely within 90 days under composting conditions, whereas PP nonwovens do not. “This aligns with global healthcare trends toward low-carbon, biodegradable solutions. Sourced from renewable resources, cotton also supports ESG investment priorities, offering a circular economy-friendly alternative to synthetic materials,” Su concludes.

Nonwovenn Makes Investment in MediTech

In June, U.K.-based nonwovens manufacturer Nonwovenn announced an investment in its MediTech division, including a state-of-the-art medical manufacturing suite at its Bridgwater, U.K., headquarters. The investment marks a major milestone in Nonwovenn’s three-year growth plan, which aims to deliver 14% year-on-year growth from its MediTech division, through the innovation pipeline, strategic partnerships and global footprint expansion. “The 14% growth target is driven by rising demand for high-performance medical textiles, particularly in advanced wound care and surgical applications,” says John Birkett, medical business director at Nonwovenn.

The newly commissioned medical manufacturing facility features controlled environments that are purpose-built for precision manufacturing and includes a ‘Class 8’ standard performing cleanroom, which is designed to meet even the most stringent medical industry standards. This development was supported by a joint investment from a key customer in the sector and underlines the strength of Nonwovenn’s collaborative approach to partnerships and the overall trust that is placed in the businesses long-term vision.

According to Birkett, the company’s decision to invest in medical applications stems from its long-standing expertise in advanced wound care, haemostats, compression and ostomy products. The company has built a robust foundation using specialist fibers, superabsorbents and carbon odor control technologies, processed via needlepunched, thermal or chemical bonding methods, he adds.

“We are very proud to be able to strengthen our capabilities in advanced medical materials thanks to this world-class suite,” he says. “The investment reflects our commitment to quality, innovation and continuing to serve the evolving needs of our partners in the sector across the U.K., Europe and Middle East.”

Complementing this expansion, Nonwovenn’s research and development team has launched several high-impact innovations over the last year. These include x-ray detectable materials to enhance safety and traceability in surgical applications and reinforced CMC hydrofiber for improved durability and absorption in wound care. The team has also developed a translucent nonwoven solution for use as a surgical site dressing scaffold to allow for visual inspection of incision sites without the need to remove the dressing.