Nonwoven fabric, also known as non-woven fabric, it is a kind of direct use of polymer slice, short fibers or filament fiber by air flow or machine into the net, the water thorn, acupuncture, or hot rolling reinforcing, finally by finishing of woven fabrics. At present most of the nonwoven fabric raw material is adopted by the PP, has the characteristics of soft, breathable, strong and durable. Compared with cotton fabric, nonwoven fabric is easy to shape and cheap cost.

Industry insights

    Market Research companies in the United States Grand View Research, the latest Research report shows that global market demand for 1835 tons of PP nonwoven fabric in 2012, 2013 of 1949 tons. PP nonwoven fabric market demand soared in recent years, because of this product in the baby diaper, women sanitary napkin, sanitary supplies such as adult diapers when making the application more and more. Population growth in the asia-pacific region to promote the consumption of disposable products such as diapers and sanitary napkin market sales. This trend is expected to further promote the growth of global nonwoven fabric market. Due to its excellent tensile strength and durability, PP nonwoven fabric in automotive industry, construction and geotextiles are also increasingly popular. To 2020, the asia-pacific region and the growth of emerging markets in Latin America the industry will have a positive effect on the PP nonwoven fabric market. Japan, Western Europe and the United States and other regions population aging trend will become the main driving forces for the adult diapers when market sales, and thus promote the PP nonwoven fabric demand over the next six years.

At the same time, based on the concern about PP biodegradable and recycled ability and environmental regulations are severe challenges for market participants. The uncertainty of crude oil and petrochemical products price volatility are the main factors influencing the propylene price changes, which affects the whole PP nonwoven fabric due to raw material supply market. Nonwoven in response to these challenges, the market has to shift focus to develop PP material, in the next six years, it is a big opportunity for market participants.

    Application of observation

    The main application of PP nonwoven fabric can be divided into disposable supplies and durable products. Here will be the application of PP non-woven fabric market segmentation for industry, sanitary, furniture, medical, agriculture, carpet, geotextiles and other (including clothing, cars and buildings). Health is the main application of PP nonwoven fabric market, in 2013, accounts for more than a third of the total market capacity. Health applications include baby diaper, women sanitary napkin, adult diapers, soft wet paper towels, etc. Japan, the United States, Canada, Russia and other western European countries the population ageing problem will promote sales of adult diapers, then promote PP nonwoven fabric in the health requirements in the field of application. High birth rates in north Africa and the Middle East will also push for PP nonwoven fabric in demand in the field of baby diapers.

Regional outlook

    Dominates the global PP nonwoven fabric market, in the asia-pacific region in 2013 accounted for more than 40% of the total market capacity. The next six years, is expected in the asia-pacific region will still is one of the biggest consumer market. PP nonwoven fabric in the Middle East, on the other hand, although the market is relatively small, but over the next six years will be the most attractive market, maintaining stable growth momentum. Western Europe and North America are relatively mature market, to 2020, the growth rate will be relatively low.

    Competition thinking

    PP nonwoven fabric markets around the world are few cutting-edge companies is fragmented. In order to realize product innovation, the companies are involved in a wide range of research and development. Large companies in order to expand market share, reduce competition, merger and some small companies, in 2014, for example, Polymer Group acquired Brazil's Companhia nonwovens manufacturers Providencia equity of 71.25%. At the same time, in order to cater to the demand growth of the asia-pacific region, manufacturers are will focus to expand the capacity of the Asia Pacific region: in 2013, the Polymer Group has started to expand its production capacity of the factory in nanhai, guangdong province, China. Business all over the world market of PP nonwoven fabric leading firms including Fibertex, AVGOL, kimberly-clark, Fiberweb, First Quality, toray, mitsui and PGI.