06.16.25
Demand for nonwoven battery separators will reach $1.7 billion in 2025, according to exclusive new research from Smithers, the global authority on nonwovens markets.
Its latest report, The Future of Nonwoven Battery Separators to 2030, finds that nonwovens account for just over 20% of a global market worth a projected $8.3 billion in 2025, for lithium-ion, lead-acid better, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and other cell chemistries.
Sales value for nonwovens across all applications and battery types will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.1% to reach a market value of $4.0 billion in 2030 (at constant prices). The volume of nonwovens used in batteries almost doubles from 8.1 billion square meters in 2025 to 16.0 billion square meters in 2030.
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly stimulating this market, leading to a new generation of specialist nonwovens as a vital component for higher capacity, more compact lithium-ion batteries.
Demand for lithium-ion batteries will increase at a CAGR of 33.4% in value through to 2030. The development of more powerful, faster charging batteries will stimulate demand for new high-performance polyamide and rayon/lyocell fiber nonwovens; and create an opportunity for fibrillated lyocell and other specialty fiber nonwovens.
Wetlaid is the major nonwoven process used in battery separators, accounting for three quarters of projected sales in 2025. Smithers forecasts this will increase to 85.5% of value in 2030. Spunlace and needlepunch nonwovens will continue to be used as separators in other battery types, principally nickel-metal hydride cells.
Asia is the largest regional market for nonwoven separators in 2025, with China, South Korea and Japan all major producers. Europe and North America will remain competitive, especially in the development and adoption of newer nonwoven separators, although each has major challenges over the next five years. Europe will trail Asia but will continue to lead North America in conversion to EVs, utilization of nonwoven battery separators in lithium-ion battery separators and number of gigafactories through 2030.
Its latest report, The Future of Nonwoven Battery Separators to 2030, finds that nonwovens account for just over 20% of a global market worth a projected $8.3 billion in 2025, for lithium-ion, lead-acid better, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and other cell chemistries.
Sales value for nonwovens across all applications and battery types will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.1% to reach a market value of $4.0 billion in 2030 (at constant prices). The volume of nonwovens used in batteries almost doubles from 8.1 billion square meters in 2025 to 16.0 billion square meters in 2030.
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly stimulating this market, leading to a new generation of specialist nonwovens as a vital component for higher capacity, more compact lithium-ion batteries.
Demand for lithium-ion batteries will increase at a CAGR of 33.4% in value through to 2030. The development of more powerful, faster charging batteries will stimulate demand for new high-performance polyamide and rayon/lyocell fiber nonwovens; and create an opportunity for fibrillated lyocell and other specialty fiber nonwovens.
Wetlaid is the major nonwoven process used in battery separators, accounting for three quarters of projected sales in 2025. Smithers forecasts this will increase to 85.5% of value in 2030. Spunlace and needlepunch nonwovens will continue to be used as separators in other battery types, principally nickel-metal hydride cells.
Asia is the largest regional market for nonwoven separators in 2025, with China, South Korea and Japan all major producers. Europe and North America will remain competitive, especially in the development and adoption of newer nonwoven separators, although each has major challenges over the next five years. Europe will trail Asia but will continue to lead North America in conversion to EVs, utilization of nonwoven battery separators in lithium-ion battery separators and number of gigafactories through 2030.
