Industry Insights
Increasing demand for consumer disposable products is expected to be a key factor driving the market growth over the forecast period. Growing importance for PP nonwoven fabrics due to its superior quality compared to other nonwovens, primarily in hygiene products, have been a major factor for growing demand in consumer disposable products. PP fibers and polymers are the most widely used raw materials for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics. High birth rates mainly in Asia Pacific markets have raised the demand for consumer disposable products such as baby diapers and sanitary wipes. This in turn is expected to fuel the global PP nonwoven fabric market. Growing importance for PP nonwoven fabrics in durable applications such as geotextiles, automotive and construction are expected to have a positive impact on the market. Ageing population in U.S., Japan and Western European countries have driven the demand for adult incontinence products which in turn is expected to drive PP nonwoven fabric demand over the forecast period. Volatile prices of propylene, obtained through crude oil, have affected the costs involved in manufacturing polypropylene which is expected to pose challenges to the market participants. Growing environmental concerns regarding the production and biodegradability of PP nonwoven fabrics have led to a stringent regulatory scenario. In order to overcome the regulatory challenges, market participants have focused on the development of bio-based PP nonwovens which is expected to serve as an opportunity to companies in the market.
Product Insights
Spunbonded PP nonwoven fabric accounted for over 47% of the market volume in 2013 to emerge as the largest product segment. Spunbonded PP fabrics are primarily used to manufacture baby & adult incontinence diapers, feminine hygienic products and medical apparel. Increasing geriatric population in countries such as U.S., Japan, U.K., and Germany have been propelling the demand for spunbonded PP fabrics in adult incontinence products. Similarly, increasing birth rate in Asia Pacific and Latin America has propelled the demand for baby diapers which in turn is expected to drive the demand for spunbonded PP fabrics. Spunbonded PP fabric is estimated to register a CAGR of 8.3% from 2014 to 2020 to emerge as the fastest growing product segment. High growth of the product segment can be attributed to its growing demand in durable applications such as construction, agriculture and coating substrates.
Application Insights
Hygiene was the largest application segment for PP nonwoven fabric market and accounted for over 50% of the market volume in 2013. Increasing demand for baby & adult diapers, feminine disposable products and wipes has been driving the demand for PP nonwoven fabrics in hygiene applications. Growing importance for PP nonwovens in geotextiles owing to its durability and serviceability may fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Increasing use of PP nonwoven fabric in furniture and agriculture applications is expected to complement the market growth. Increasing penetration of PP nonwoven fabric in medical applications such as protective apparel, surgical gowns and patient apparel is anticipated to drive the market growth over the forecast period.
Regional Insights
Asia Pacific emerged as the leading regional PP nonwoven fabric market and accounted for over 40% of the market volume in 2013. Growing disposable income in the markets of China and India have increased the usage of hygiene products such as baby diapers and sanitary wipes which in turn have spurred the PP nonwoven fabric market in the region. Increasing propylene capacities in Middle East have given the local manufacturers advantage in terms of supply and relatively low pricing of feedstock. Increasing awareness regarding hygiene products such as baby and adult diapers is expected to fuel the market growth. Growing PP nonwoven fabric demand in industrial, medical and furniture applications is expected to drive the Middle East market. Middle East is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% over the next six years to become the fastest growing regional market.
