17.04.2024 Ι In 2023, compared to data from 2022, nonwovens production in Greater Europe decreased in volume by 5.7% to 2,864,840 tonnes, and by 5.5% in surface area. This is outlined in the EDANA Statistics Report on Nonwovens Production and Deliveries for 2023.

Differentiation by production process

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, further expanded on the data: “European nonwovens production recorded its second consecutive decline since it peaked in 2021, however, it is necessary to refine the data further and assess the trends according to the different production processes. For drylaid, the production of thermally and chemically bonded nonwovens both demonstrated a double-digit decline. The production of polymer-based nonwovens decreased again, but remained above its 2019 level, despite a severe decrease in meltblown stand-alone materials. Meanwhile some production processes, such as drylaid-hydroentangled and short-fibres airlaid, stayed flat or slightly above their respective levels for the previous year.

Nonwovens: not all segments are affected equally

Analysing 2023 sales data by market segments leads to a different conclusion: Some segments, such as hygiene, medical (excluding face masks), building construction, filtration, and electronic materials significantly decreased compared to their 2022 levels, but were either at the same level as or above figures observed in 2019.

Overall, the wipes’ market, including personal care, industrial, and household segments, was stable (+0.9%). There were some noticeable exceptions in other applications, where nonwovens sales recovered: automotive interiors (+3.7%), agriculture (+7.7%), table linen (+4.2%), cotton pads (+6.8%), personal protective garments (+10%) and packaging (+9.5%).”
More data presented at the EDANA Innovation Forum

The data is not shared externally, however, Prigneaux will present an overview of the key findings at the inaugural EDANA Innovation Forum in Munich, Germany in June 2024. In the meantime, a summary report – 2023 European Nonwovens Markets Insights – will be made available soon for EDANA members.