05.06.25
China's nonwovens output in 2024 was 8.56 million tons, up 5.1% year-on-year, showing the largest growth after 2020 as market demand recovered. In 2020, China's nonwovens output reached 8.79 million tons due to the increased demand for pandemic prevention materials, while a large number of new production lines were added, especially spunbond lines and spunlace lines, which saw their production capacity increase by more than 2 million tons. The sharp expansion of production capacity and the decline in demand for pandemic prevention materials, and the intensification of competition in the industry put nonwovens output in China on a downward trend from 2021 to 2022, with companies under-opening and production declining. In 2023, the demand for nonwovens showed a negligible increase, the output reached 8.14 million tons.
Spunlaid nonwovens remained the largest process in China. In 2024, the output of spunbonded nonwovens was 3.88 million tons, up 4% year-on-year, accounting for 45.3% of the total. The output of meltblown nonwovens was 108,000 tons, down 22.9%. The proportion of spunlaid nonwovens is decreasing in China. Among the carded nonwovens, output of spunlaced nonwovens was 1.67 million tons, up 8.1% year-on-year, accounting for 19.4%, making this a fast-growing segment of nonwovens proudction. Needlepunched nonwovens was 1.848 million tons, up 6.8% year-on-year. In recent years, the use of air-through nonwovens in the hygiene products increased, replacing spunbonded nonwovens in large quantities, driving production of air-through nonwovens to reach 126,000 tonn, an increase of 7.9% year-on-year.
Raw materials used in nonwovens in China are mainly PET and PP, accounting for 46% and 38% respectively, with a total of 84%. In recent years, the proportion of viscose, lyocell and wood pulp used in spunlaced nonwovens has been steadily increasing, while the use of natural fibers such as cotton has basically remained stable at around 100,000 tonnes due to the cost.
Investment
According to CNITA's statistics, about 24 spunlace lines, 142 needlepunch lines, 32 spunbond/meltblown lines and 12 air-through lines were newly added in China in 2024, with overall new capacities of over 450 thousand tons.In the past two years, investments in China's nonwovens industry have focused on product quality, cost reduction and digitalization, while accelerating the elimination of old lines. Flushable nonwovens is also a hot sector for investment in China.
Exports and imports
China's nonwovens exports continue to maintain a high growth as global demand for nonwovens recovers. According to China Customs data, China exported 1.52 million tons of nonwovens in 2024, valued at $4.04 billion, an increase of 15.69% and 6.25% compared with 2023, respectively.
In terms of web forming, among the nonwovens exported from China, spunbonded nonwovens accounted for 37% of the export value, and staple fiber carded nonwovens accounted for 63%. In terms of weight, nonwovens of 25g/m2 - 70g/m2 accounted for 41.8%, nonwovens heavier than 150g/m2 accounted for 26.5%, and others accounted for 31.7%.
Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and the United States are the top four export destinations of China's nonwovens. Exports to the four countries accounted for 50% of the total in 2024, of which exports to Vietnam increased by 20.75%, exports to the U.S. still increased by 27.89% despite complex and severe trade situation, exports to South Korea and Japan showed a small decline, exports to other countries also maintained growth.
In 2024, China imported 95,000 tons of nonwovens, an increase of 9.4% year-on-year, valued at $820 million. Imported nonwovens growth reflected China's economic stabilization and upward trends. Japan, the U.S., Chinese Taiwan and Luxembourg were the main sources, with imports accounting for more than 70% of the total.
Regarding the exports of main products of nonwovens, disposable hygiene products exports reached US$3.6 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.2% year-on-year, of which to the United States, India and Southeast Asia increased significantly. Exports of masks have continued to decrease since 2021, with exports valued at $610 million in 2024, down 31.6%. The export value of nonwoven protective gowns increased 7% to US$780 million.
End-use market
In 2024, the number of newborns in China increased after seven consecutive years of decline, reached 9.54 million. Demand for disposable hygiene products, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, maintained a steady and low-speed growth. The market for adult incontinence products is growing rapidly, but market penetration in China is still less than 10%. Wet wipes, soft nonwoven towels and moist toilet tissue continued to maintain 10% growth rate.
Medical demand for nonwovens was stable, with disposable protective clothing and surgical gowns showing growth, while demand for masks continued to decline. With the implementation of plastic restriction regulations, nonwovens used in packaging large-scale replaced plastic products, the output was nearly one million tons of nonwovens for packaging.
The development of automobiles, especially electronic vehicles (EV), provides a huge market for nonwovens. The output of EV reached 12.88 million in China in 2024, an increase of 34.4%. The demand for lightweight, comfort, and safety in EV has expanded the application and quantity of nonwovens.
Engineered nonwovens such as for filtration, geosynthetics and building/construction continue to maintain steady growth in China, their shares were 8.3%, 9% and 7.2%, respectively.
Outlook
Challenges and advantages for the development of China's nonwovens industry coexist.
The first challenge faced is the disparity between production capacity and demand. This will create structural imbalances in the industry, intensifying competition and reducing corporate profitability. Second, uncertainties in the global trade have not only placed significant pressure on China’s nonwoven industry but also led to substantial cost increases in some countries. Third, increasingly stringent environmental regulations and sustainability requirements are imposing higher demands on the industry.
Meanwhile, China's nonwovens industry has a strong development resilience and advantages, with a large number of positive factors supporting the high-quality development of the industry. First, China possesses a complete industrial chain and outstanding industrial cluster advantages, with coordinated and efficient collaboration across raw material supply, equipment manufacturing and product processing Second, its abundant talent pool and systematic cultivation of professionals in the nonwoven sector provide a solid intellectual foundation for the industry. Third, China’s vast domestic market continues to offer the growth opportunity for nonwovens. While some sectors are approaching saturation, emerging fields such as elderly healthcare, automotive, filtration, wipes, and construction engineering remain key drivers for growth.
CNITA, China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association, is the only association approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, represents nonwovens, industrial textiles and related industries in China, and serves 1,000+ member companies. Since its founding in 2001, CNITA has provided a comprehensive range of services with networking events, educational courses, market intelligence, standards, consultancy, information, publicity, etc. to help its members and the industry succeed. The main mission of CNITA is to preserve the rights and interests of its members, serve as a bridge between its members and government, and promote the high-quality development of China’s nonwovens and industrial textiles with continuous innovative services.
Raw materials used in nonwovens in China are mainly PET and PP, accounting for 46% and 38% respectively, with a total of 84%. In recent years, the proportion of viscose, lyocell and wood pulp used in spunlaced nonwovens has been steadily increasing, while the use of natural fibers such as cotton has basically remained stable at around 100,000 tonnes due to the cost.
Investment
According to CNITA's statistics, about 24 spunlace lines, 142 needlepunch lines, 32 spunbond/meltblown lines and 12 air-through lines were newly added in China in 2024, with overall new capacities of over 450 thousand tons.In the past two years, investments in China's nonwovens industry have focused on product quality, cost reduction and digitalization, while accelerating the elimination of old lines. Flushable nonwovens is also a hot sector for investment in China.
Exports and imports
China's nonwovens exports continue to maintain a high growth as global demand for nonwovens recovers. According to China Customs data, China exported 1.52 million tons of nonwovens in 2024, valued at $4.04 billion, an increase of 15.69% and 6.25% compared with 2023, respectively.
Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and the United States are the top four export destinations of China's nonwovens. Exports to the four countries accounted for 50% of the total in 2024, of which exports to Vietnam increased by 20.75%, exports to the U.S. still increased by 27.89% despite complex and severe trade situation, exports to South Korea and Japan showed a small decline, exports to other countries also maintained growth.
In 2024, China imported 95,000 tons of nonwovens, an increase of 9.4% year-on-year, valued at $820 million. Imported nonwovens growth reflected China's economic stabilization and upward trends. Japan, the U.S., Chinese Taiwan and Luxembourg were the main sources, with imports accounting for more than 70% of the total.
Regarding the exports of main products of nonwovens, disposable hygiene products exports reached US$3.6 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.2% year-on-year, of which to the United States, India and Southeast Asia increased significantly. Exports of masks have continued to decrease since 2021, with exports valued at $610 million in 2024, down 31.6%. The export value of nonwoven protective gowns increased 7% to US$780 million.
End-use market
In 2024, the number of newborns in China increased after seven consecutive years of decline, reached 9.54 million. Demand for disposable hygiene products, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, maintained a steady and low-speed growth. The market for adult incontinence products is growing rapidly, but market penetration in China is still less than 10%. Wet wipes, soft nonwoven towels and moist toilet tissue continued to maintain 10% growth rate.
The development of automobiles, especially electronic vehicles (EV), provides a huge market for nonwovens. The output of EV reached 12.88 million in China in 2024, an increase of 34.4%. The demand for lightweight, comfort, and safety in EV has expanded the application and quantity of nonwovens.
Engineered nonwovens such as for filtration, geosynthetics and building/construction continue to maintain steady growth in China, their shares were 8.3%, 9% and 7.2%, respectively.
Outlook
Challenges and advantages for the development of China's nonwovens industry coexist.
The first challenge faced is the disparity between production capacity and demand. This will create structural imbalances in the industry, intensifying competition and reducing corporate profitability. Second, uncertainties in the global trade have not only placed significant pressure on China’s nonwoven industry but also led to substantial cost increases in some countries. Third, increasingly stringent environmental regulations and sustainability requirements are imposing higher demands on the industry.
Meanwhile, China's nonwovens industry has a strong development resilience and advantages, with a large number of positive factors supporting the high-quality development of the industry. First, China possesses a complete industrial chain and outstanding industrial cluster advantages, with coordinated and efficient collaboration across raw material supply, equipment manufacturing and product processing Second, its abundant talent pool and systematic cultivation of professionals in the nonwoven sector provide a solid intellectual foundation for the industry. Third, China’s vast domestic market continues to offer the growth opportunity for nonwovens. While some sectors are approaching saturation, emerging fields such as elderly healthcare, automotive, filtration, wipes, and construction engineering remain key drivers for growth.
CNITA, China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association, is the only association approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, represents nonwovens, industrial textiles and related industries in China, and serves 1,000+ member companies. Since its founding in 2001, CNITA has provided a comprehensive range of services with networking events, educational courses, market intelligence, standards, consultancy, information, publicity, etc. to help its members and the industry succeed. The main mission of CNITA is to preserve the rights and interests of its members, serve as a bridge between its members and government, and promote the high-quality development of China’s nonwovens and industrial textiles with continuous innovative services.
