Nonwoven Filter Media Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Spunbond, Meltblown), By Application (Transportation, Healthcare), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global nonwoven filter media market size was estimated at USD 5.27 billion in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9 % from 2019 to 2028. Rising demand for the product in healthcare, automotive, personal care, and advanced technology is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

In China, the market for nonwoven filter media is expected to exhibit significant growth due to rapid product penetration in various application industries. China is projected to lead the Asia Pacific market for nonwoven filter media on account of its rising population, growing economy, and demand from the healthcare sector, especially in the pandemic.

An increase in product use for geotextiles is expected to have a positive impact on the industry. Nonwoven filter media are preferred over paper, cloth, or other filtration media because of their cost-effectiveness, easy handling, durability, efficiency, ability to withstand high temperature, and adoption of the customized product as per requirements and functions.

Several regulations have been enforced to produce and use nonwoven filter media in various application industries. Emerging countries like India and Brazil are taking significant steps to control water and air pollution problems in the region. With the government's help, companies have begun investing in R&D activities for the development of filters in the region.

The market faces severe challenges in coping with the fluctuating prices of raw materials, including polymers, resins, fibers, and additives. High oil prices, shifting consumer needs, trade patterns, and the availability of raw materials such as carbon fibers and aramids high tenacity yarns are expected to hamper the market prospect over the forecast period.

The market for nonwoven filter media is projected to witness significant growth during the pandemic. Various manufacturers are investing heavily in manufacturing healthcare essentials to cater to the demand for disposable healthcare supplies and nonwoven materials. In addition, a rise in demand for hygienic products is also expected to fuel the market over the horizon.

Technology Insights

The spunbond segment led the nonwoven filter media market and accounted for more than 36.9% of revenue share in 2019. The demand for spunbond is driven by increasing demand for filtration in healthcare, personal care, automotive, and packaging industries. Spunbond is durable, lightweight, cost-effective, and has high liquid retention properties favoring product penetration.

Rising environmental concerns regarding pollution, and favorable government initiatives, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), promoting nonwoven filter products in the food and beverage industry and healthcare industry such as drapes, disposable gowns, are projected to propel the growth of the market for nonwoven filter media.

The meltblown technology is estimated to register a significant CAGR of 5.8% in 2019, as it exhibits outstanding physical characteristics that are considered safe and useful for several applications. Nonwovens are widely used as a preferred alternative to traditional textile filters owing to their softness, absorption properties, strength, and cost-effectiveness.

Other technologies include wetlaid, needlepunch, and others. Technological advancement favors the significant growth of products as it brings down the production associated costs and offers manufacturing feasibility. Incorporating high-performance material technologies creates new opportunities for the manufacturers and is projected to fuel the demand.

Application Insights

The healthcare segment led the market for nonwoven filter media and accounted for more than 31.0% revenue share in 2019, owing to the excellent properties they offer, such as breathability, resistance to fluid penetration, sterilizability, and impermeability to bacteria. Nonwoven Filter Media are extensively used in medical and healthcare applications to provide decent protection against biological agents.

The product is expected to have burgeoning demand in transportation application as they are widely used for filters filtration of cabin air, oil, engine air, and fuel. Moreover, increasing sales of vehicles and extensive use of nonwoven filters in broad application areas in the transportation industry are projected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.

Demand for nonwoven filter media for the healthcare and personal care sector is projected to gain traction over the forecast period based on the rising demand for nonwoven products in the COVID19 pandemic. Nonwoven products are used to manufacture various disposable healthcare products and hospital supplies and are thus projected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.

Other applications include water filtration, HVAC, food and beverages, manufacturing, and advanced technologies. Shifting consumer needs, improvement in the economic situation, rising environmental concerns, and filtration media are some of the crucial factors propelling the growth over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market for nonwoven filter media and accounted for the largest revenue share of over 45.0% in 2019, owing to China and India focusing majorly on the water and air pollution control, rising geriatric population in Japan, and rising demand for filtration solutions after the occurrence of pandemic COVID-19. Also, the region is expected to witness high product demand in the production of the automotive industry.

The product demand in North America and Europe is expected to be dominated by hygiene applications. The market is projected to witness stiff competition on account of availability of alternative filtration solutions in the market. Developed countries, including the U.S. and Germany, are projected to showcase significant market growth due to its highly industrialized economy.

In North America, the market for nonwoven filter media was valued at USD 460.3 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to a rise in product demand for personal care and hygiene care products. A positive outlook for the food and beverage, HVAC, and automotive industry positively impacts industry growth.

The demand for nonwoven filter media in Central and South America is likely to witness significant growth over the projected period owing to the rising demand from application industries. High consumer awareness, rising water, air pollution concerns, and advancement in filtration technology are expected to impact market growth positively over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market for nonwoven filter media has witnessed an increasing trend of organic and inorganic growth through production expansion, new product launches, product innovation, and mergers and acquisitions. The companies are trying to increase their sales through investment and innovation. The companies are expanding their capacities to facilitate the respective markets.

The market is competitive due to the significant presence of major national and multinational companies involved in product manufacture. The market is characterized by a considerable consumer base across the globe, with the companies operating their business through dedicated distribution networks. Some of the prominent players in the nonwoven filter media market include:

• 3M

• DuPont

• Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj

• BASF SE

• Berry Global Group, Inc.

• Cerex Advanced Fabrics, Inc

• Glatfelter Company

• Delstar Technologies Inc.

• Kimberly-Clark Corporation

• Pegas Nonwovens S.A

• Honeywell International, Inc.

• Cummins Filtration

• Freudenberg Filtration Technologies SE & Co. KG

• Sandler AG

• FITESA

Nonwoven Filter Media Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global nonwoven filter media market report on the basis of technology, application, and region:

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Spunbond

  • Meltblown

  • Wetlaid

  • Needlepunch

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Transportation

  • Water Filtration

  • HVAC

  • Food and Beverages

  • Healthcare

  • Manufacturing

  • Advanced Technology

  • Hydrocarbon Processing

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • South Africa