Global Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric Market: Expansion, Technological Revolution, And A Sustainable Future

Global Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric Market: Expansion, Technological Revolution, and a Sustainable Future

Amid a surge in demand for eco-friendly, high-performance materials, the spunlace nonwoven industry is entering a new era of technological innovation and capacity growth. Leading companies from Europe to North America are driving the sector towards sustainability and diversification through multi-layer spunlace technology, plant-based raw material development, and strategic cross-industry applications.

Diverse Demands Driving Change

According to data from industry analyst Smithers, global consumption of spunlace nonwovens reached 1.8 million tons in 2023, with a market size of $10.3 billion. In terms of volume, spunlace accounted for 12.7% of the total nonwovens market, a figure projected to rise to 14% by 2028. By value, its market share was 17.5% in 2023 and is expected to climb to 20% by 2028. The market is forecasted to grow at a rate of 8.65% by volume and 10.1% by value from 2023 to 2028. This growth is largely fueled by investments in production lines to meet diverse demands from the hygiene, wet wipe, and durable goods sectors.

"Although the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, the wet wipes market—the largest application for spunlace—maintains demand levels higher than before the pandemic. People are now accustomed to the convenience of carrying disinfectant wipes, which continues to drive market growth and, in turn, the entire spunlace nonwoven industry."
       - Ulrich Hornfeck, COO, Sandler

However, rising environmental consciousness is pushing consumers towards reusable alternatives. Wipes and other single-use products face scrutiny over sustainability, with some nations considering legislation to ban products containing "plastic." Consequently, sustainable raw materials have become a primary focus for R&D, with manufacturers innovating through new material sources and fiber combinations to offer greener solutions.

Arnaud Laroche, Head of Sales at Andritz Nonwoven & Textiles, notes that while the demand for convenience products seems at odds with sustainability goals, advances in spunlace technology are creating a "best of both worlds" scenario. This technology is highly adaptable, capable of processing a wide variety of natural and renewable fibers. This compatibility makes it an ideal solution for meeting both regulatory demands, such as plastic bans, and the evolving preferences of eco-conscious consumers.

Sustainable Innovation and Strategic Investments

In response to regulations like the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive and consumer pressure, companies are accelerating investments in sustainable innovation.

Global Capacity Expansion: A Technology-Driven Strategy

Leading manufacturers are strategically expanding their global footprint with advanced technology.

• Fibertex Nonwovens: In 2024, the Danish giant launched a new multi-layer spunlace line in South Carolina, USA, with plans to expand similar capacity in the Czech Republic. This technology enables the development of 100% plastic-free products, reduces carbon emissions through lightweighting, and serves diverse markets from wipes to automotive interiors and high-end filtration.

• Magnera (Berry Global & Glatfelter Merger): Operating a specialized wet wipe spunlace line in the Netherlands, Magnera focuses on biodegradable and renewable substrates. Its GlatPure™ series uses organic cotton, hemp, and lyocell fibers to meet EU regulations and consumer preferences for natural materials.

From Raw Materials to Supply Chain Collaboration

The entire value chain is adapting. German firm Sandler is increasing the proportion of renewable and recycled materials in its wipes to over 60% and co-testing new fibers like hemp and bamboo with clients. On the supply side, Chinese enterprises remain key global suppliers due to scale and cost advantages. However, U.S. tariff policies may shift production focus towards Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe.

Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future Outlook

While wipes dominate the market, companies are actively exploring new applications. Sandler's materials are used in surgical gowns and baby care, while Mogul Nonwovens' Madaline® Ultraleather™ offers a leather-like nonwoven for automotive and furniture upholstery.

Looking forward, industry leaders agree that technological flexibility and cross-chain collaboration are crucial. Examples include Sandler's "raw material co-development program" to accelerate time-to-market and Fibertex's investment in AI-driven production monitoring to optimize energy use and yield rates.