Recycled Nonwovens Market

The recycled nonwovens market size is forecast to reach USD 1.9 Billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 9.4% during 2024-2030. Healthcare and surgical products, home furnishings, and automobile materials (such as trunk liners and insulation) are among the industries where nonwovens made from recycled fiber and plastic have the potential to find a market. Waste products from the production of nonwovens include needled webs, and coated and uncoated lightweight webs that are thermally and chemically bonded. Recycled fibers may be considered standard in technical textiles, particularly nonwovens, depending on the functionalities of the product, however plastic waste (mostly PET bottles) can be recycled into nonwovens under any circumstance. Nonwovens are increasingly being used in automobiles. More than 40 automobile elements, ranging from carpets and trunk liners to air and fuel filters, are created with nonwoven fabrics today, according to the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA). Recycled textile materials can serve as the foundation for many parts used in the manufacture of automobiles, such as technical felts or insulating materials. Utilizing recycled materials directly reduces the production's carbon footprint. For the reproduction of textile waste into nonwoven materials and yarns, numerous automotive industry businesses are providing a variety of recycling lines and technologies. 

The report “Recycled Nonwovens Market – Forecast (2024-2030)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the recycled nonwovens market.

By Type: Spunlace nonwovens, Heat-bonded nonwoven fabrics, Pulp air-laid nonwovens, Wet-laid non-woven, Spunbond nonwovens, Meltblown nonwovens, Acupuncture nonwovens, Stitch nonwovens.

By Raw Material: Staple Fiber, Polyester Staple Fiber (PSF), Polypropylene Staple Fiber, Thermalbond Polypropylene, Industrial Grade Polypropylene, Nonwoven Cotton, Rayon Staple Fiber or Viscose Staple Fiber, Polymers and Pulp, Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PET), Polyester Chip, Polypropylene Chip, Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) and Fluff Pulp.

By Manufacturing Process: Spunlaid, Drylaid, Wetlaid, and Others (electrostatic spinning and flash-spun).

By Application: Hygiene, Wipes For Personal Care, Construction, Automotive, Civil Engineering, Filtration, Food & Beverage and Others.

By Geography: North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

• APAC market accounted for the largest industry share in 2023 as the demand for Recycled non-wovens in various applications has increased such as Hygiene, Wipes For Personal Care, Construction, Automotive, and Filtration, Food & Beverage. 

• The global market for recycled nonwoven is being driven by the rise in demand for this nonwoven fiber in the textile sector.

 

• An increase in post-consumer waste volume, the growing attractiveness of recycled fibers, and increased government initiatives to reduce consumer plastic waste are anticipated to boost the global market for recycled nonwovens. 

• Over the projected period, it is anticipated that growing consumer awareness of the advantages of waste recycling would positively affect the growth of the recycled nonwoven market.

Spunlace nonwovens dominated the recycled nonwoven market in 2023. The adoption of Europe's Single Use Plastics Directive, which aims to significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastics entering European landfills and oceans, has caused concern in the nonwoven industry. The greatest impact on recycled non-woven usage in wet wipes will be felt in labeling requirements, which must inform consumers about proper product disposal as well as the negative environmental impacts of SUPs and littering. In response to the ruling, spunlace manufacturers anticipate increased demand for bio-based materials in the coming years and have been working hard to provide more plastic-free solutions to wipes manufacturers. Sandler, for example, uses approximately 30% renewable and recycled raw materials, including raw materials, as part of its sustainability efforts. 

Currently, the majority of spun lace non-woven fabric manufacturers are from the United States, Europe, China, and Turkey. Vietnam, India, and Indonesia also have spun lace machines. However, China manufactures the highest amount each year. According to the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA), the main nonwovens processes in China are spunbonded, needle-punched, and spunlaced, accounting for 85.8% of the total. New capacity investment is primarily focused on intelligent manufacturing and eco-friendly products. Some production lines of wood pulp-based spunlaced were installed, commissioned, and successfully put into operation, further enhancing the structure of China’s nonwoven industry.

Spunlaid dominated the recycled nonwoven market in 2023. With a 49% market revenue share for recycled nonwovens, spunlaid is the most prominent web-forming manufacturing process in 2023. However, the pricey nature of the recycling process is putting a cap on the market growth for recycled natural fibers, which has a negative effect on the size of the recycled natural fibers market. These new lines not only increase the overall global capacity of the technology but also broaden raw material options for producers looking for more sustainable solutions for their customers. For example, Suominen, one of the global market leaders in spunlace nonwovens and other wipe substrates, has taken initiatives in terms of sustainability. By providing products made from materials like renewable, recycled, compostable, and plastic-free raw materials, the company is assisting customers in achieving its own environmental goals. 

Wipes and personal care application dominated the recycled nonwoven market in 2023. There has been an increasing trend in the creation of personal care wipes in recent years. This is partly because they are easy to use and may be used to wash and refresh the skin. They can also be used to clean the face of makeup, grime, and grease. The creation of organic and natural wipes is one of the most recent trends in the personal care wipes market. These wipes are manufactured with natural components and are soft on the skin. Furthermore, they are free of chemicals and scents. Personal care which includes infant wipes, toilet paper, cosmetic/facial wipes, feminine hygiene wipes, and bathing wipes, is the largest wipes market category and uses the most recycled nonwoven materials overall. Because these wipes largely rely on spunlace (about 50% cellulose fibers), airlaid (about 80% cellulosic fibers), and conform (about 60% cellulosic fibers) nonwovens, they are suitable for personal care applications where sustainability is important and it is suitable for all skin types.

APAC region dominated the recycled nonwoven market in 2023. With the growth of automobiles in China, the market for recycled nonwovens is flourishing. Recycled nonwovens market expansion in this area is driven by the use of nonwovens in the manufacture of automotive carpets, seating textiles, side, roof, floor, and door panels, safety belts, tyres, airbags, air filters, fuel filters, insulation materials, and other products. According to the NDRC, China generated over 22 million tonnes of textile waste in 2020 and had a 20% recycling rate. From textile waste, approximately 1.5 million tonnes of recycled fiber were created in 2020. China is one of the largest manufacturers of nonwoven materials. China produced over 5 million tons of nonwoven bags in 2016 and its production rate is increasing every year. Manufacturers of the nonwoven fabric have seen an increase in demand since the ban on single-use plastic became effective on 1st July 2022. Following the ban, the Indian Manufacturers Association of Nonwovens reports that the production of nonwoven fabric manufacturers is up 15%, supported by increased demand for reusable and recyclable nonwoven bags. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the APAC region along with China. The Indian manufacturing sector is estimated to grow tremendously with huge investments from global manufacturers.

Nonwovens are perfect for a number of packaging applications because of their excellent lightweight, energy-efficient manufacturing, transportation, and storage processes, as well as their extended lifespan and resilience, which enable two crucial features: volume reduction and reusability. A nonwoven product's sustainability can be assessed by taking into account each factor, as well as the effects of production and distribution. A product that is truly sustainable will provide the consumer with real advantages while reducing its negative impact on the environment. When buying products, customers frequently take into account a company's environmental impact. Global web searches for sustainable products have increased by 71% during the last five years. 34% of the public, on average, is willing to pay more for sustainable goods or services, and those willing to pay more would typically accept a 25% premium. This in turn is fueling the underlying market's expansion.

Government rules are becoming more stringent as a result of growing environmental awareness, which is a positive development for the market for recycled nonwovens. In one year, the number of Global Recycled Standards (GRS) certified sites and Recycled Claim Standards (RCS) sites increased by more than 251% and 261%, respectively, according to a report from textile exchange.org. These and other elements are promoting the expansion of the recycled nonwoven market. The Extended Producer Responsibility initiative, which would shift the expenses of cardboard, plastic, and other packaging as well as the disposal of producers in 2021, was adopted by the US state of Maine. As a result, businesses are being compelled to look for alternate recycling alternatives. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Recycling Economic Information (REI) study estimates that 526 MMT of recycled items will be generated in 2020, creating 681,000 employment and generating $5.5 billion in tax income, both of which are continuously increasing from previous years. These and other advancements are expected to fuel the market's expansion.

The first step in the production of polyester fiber is the high-heat reaction between ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate. This reaction yields a monomer, which is then used to initiate a second reaction using dimethyl terephthalate to produce a polymer. The manufacture of polyester is often more expensive than other raw materials as a result of the sharp rise in crude oil prices, which restrains the market's expansion. The output of synthetic raw materials is also declining as a result of environmental regulations, while demand for natural fibers, which are replacing them, is rising. This element is also likely to restrain market expansion, and the effects of this trend can be seen in hypothetical market scenarios.

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the recycled nonwovens market. In 2022, the recycled nonwovens market share has been Fragmented by the top ten players accounting for 35.9% of the share. Major players in the recycled nonwovens market are Berry Global, Freudenberg, Ahlstrom-Munksjo, Kimberly-Clark, DuPont, Fitesa, PFNonwovens, Johns Manville, Unitika Ltd., and Toyobo Co, Ltd