Published April 2022
Polyolefin fibers, including spunbond nonwoven, currently represent about 5.5% of all synthetic fibers consumed worldwide. Mainland China is the largest supplier, followed by Europe and the Americas.
The vast majority of polyolefin fibers are used in consumer products. The largest end-use market is represented by nonwoven fabrics (either staple-laid or spunbond), which, depending on their manufacture and characteristics, are used in many different applications. Uses include personal care, sanitary and medical applications, agricultural fabric, construction sheeting, automotive fabric, geotextiles, filtration media, and industrial wipes. Nonwovens also represent the fastest-growing sector. The bulk of consumption is in mainland China.
The following chart presents world consumption of polyolefin fibers:
Carpets have historically been the major end-use market for polyolefin fibers, but the market has gradually lost importance because of changing consumer preferences for floor covering. Slit films and monofilament are used in industrial applications to manufacture ropes and agricultural nets, for concrete reinforcement, and, increasingly, for synthetic turf. Synthetic turf is used at the sports fields, but also in residential areas, and public places, especially in southern Europe and Middle Eastern countries.
Global consumption of polyolefin fibers slowed down in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Automotive nonwovens, industrial nonwovens, and the textile industry in Asia were hit especially hard. However, there were also business opportunities for nonwoven fabric and protective garments in the medical sector. Demand from most markets is already recovering, but rising raw material and energy costs are affecting supply. Future growth will be driven by demand for technical nonwovens used in construction, geotextiles, filtration, and other industrial applications in emerging economies. In the automotive sector, the trend toward light weight to enhance fuel efficiency will support demand for nonwoven fabrics. The growing middle class population in mainland China, India, Brazil, and Vietnam will further drive demand for disposable nonwovens, as well as textiles and household products. The decline in the carpet industry will continue, especially in Western countries.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Polyolefin Fibers is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
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S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Polyolefin Fibers has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with S&P Global’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.
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