While global forecasts suggest robust growth, the European market has provided a first sign of stabilization. Fresh figures from EDANA, the international association representing the nonwovens and related industries, underline that the sector has returned to pre-pandemic levels and is repositioning itself to benefit from the next wave of applications.

1. European nonwovens production returns to growth

According to EDANA’s annual statistics, nonwovens production in Greater Europe increased by 2.6% in 2024, reaching 2.98 million tonnes, or 85.1 billion square meters. This rebound followed two consecutive years of contraction of more than 5% in both 2022 and 2023. As Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, noted, the industry “has reverted to its pre-pandemic level in terms of weight,” while growth in surface area outpaced volume, lowering the average grammage to 34.9 gsm compared to 37.2 gsm in 2019.

Not all processes followed the same trajectory. Wetlaid nonwovens, which had been hit hard in 2023, recorded the strongest growth in 2024, highlighting renewed opportunities for specialty applications. Airlaid, by contrast, was the only process to register a decline, although it had been the only one to show growth the previous year. Spunmelt technologiesremained dominant in terms of surface area, while drylaid processes showed moderate improvement, particularly in air-through bonding and hydro-entangled materials.

End-use markets continued to shape the picture. Hygiene applications remained the largest destination, accounting for 27% of deliveries, or nearly 800,000 tonnes, with growth of 1.7% in 2024. Yet the most dynamic gains came from building and roofing materials (+14.2%), food and beverage applications (+13%), cotton pads (+4.9%), and personal care wipes (+4.8%). These figures underline the diversification of nonwovens demand beyond traditional hygiene and medical segments.

EDANA emphasizes that these statistics, collected from companies across 11 production processes and more than 80 market segments, offer its members a detailed tool for benchmarking and planning. Combined with the Global Nonwoven Markets Report 2023–2028, published jointly with INDA, they paint a cautiously optimistic picture: the European industry is back on track, while global demand is set to expand steadily over the next five years.

2. Global outlook with Smithers forecasts

If Europe signals stabilization, the global picture points to significant expansion. Smithers, widely regarded as one of the most authoritative sources on nonwovens markets, has published a series of forward-looking studies that highlight both the scale of the opportunity and the shifts in technology and regional demand.

Filtration: Double-digit growth ahead

In its report The Future of Nonwovens for Filtration to 2029, Smithers projects a 10.7% CAGR for nonwoven air/gas and liquid filtration media, rising from $6.1 billion in 2024 to $10.1 billion in 2029. Volumes are expected to grow from 826,500 tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes, or a 5.9% CAGR.

Filtration remains a core growth driver because it cuts across industries from healthcare and life sciences to mobility and construction. Interestingly, the dominant technologies here differ from the broader nonwovens market: wetlaid nonwovens account for nearly half of current demand, benefiting from the drive for sustainable products. Spunlaid, boosted by massive meltblown investment during the pandemic, follows with just under 30%, while drylaid has a smaller but steady share.

Regionally, North America remains the largest consumer with 42.8% of volume, but Asia is catching up fast, projected to reach 33.6% of the global market by 2029.

Battery Separators: A transformative opportunity

Perhaps the most striking Smithers forecast concerns nonwovens for battery separators, identified as one of the fastest-growing end uses. The market is valued at $1.7 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $4.0 billion in 2030, with a CAGR of more than 18%. In volume, this equates to growth from 8.0 to 16.0 billion square meters over five years.