Nonwoven Filtration Market

The global nonwoven filtration market is foreseen to grow by 6.3%, from USD 7.35 Billion in 2022 to USD 11.98 Billion in 2030. Growing demand in HVAC systems, coupled with growing awareness pertaining to air intake quality, increasing use in healthcare and manufacture of medical personal protective items to boost demand is to drive the market for the upcoming forecast period. However, Volatility in raw material prices, availability of low-cost and inferior-quality filtration products remains one factor hindering the market growth over the anticipated period.

Market Definition

What Is Nonwoven Filtration?

Nonwoven filtration is a highly effective technique used in a wide range of industries to remove impurities and contaminants from liquids and gases. This process involves the use of nonwoven materials made from synthetic or natural fibers that are woven together without the use of any yarn or thread. Nonwoven filtration has several advantages over traditional filtration techniques, including higher filtration efficiency, longer service life, and greater versatility.

Market Overview

Types of Nonwoven Filtration

There are two main types of nonwoven filtration: depth filtration and surface filtration. Depth filtration is a process where the liquid or gas to be filtered is passed through a thick layer of nonwoven material, which traps the impurities and contaminants. This type of filtration is highly effective for removing large particles and sediment from liquids.

Surface filtration, on the other hand, involves the use of a thin layer of nonwoven material that captures impurities and contaminants on the surface. This type of filtration is commonly used for removing smaller particles from liquids and gases, such as bacteria and viruses.

Applications of Nonwoven Filtration

Nonwoven filtration is used in a wide range of applications across several industries. Some of the most common applications of nonwoven filtration include:

Air filtration: Nonwoven materials are used in air filters to remove dust, pollen, and other contaminants from the air.

Water filtration: Nonwoven materials are used in water filters to remove sediment, bacteria, and other impurities from water.

Healthcare: Nonwoven materials are used in surgical masks, gowns, and other medical devices to prevent the spread of infections.

Automotive: Nonwoven materials are used in air filters and oil filters in cars to remove impurities from the engine.

Industrial: Nonwoven materials are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including oil and gas filtration, food and beverage processing, and chemical processing.

Advantages of Nonwoven Filtration

Nonwoven filtration offers several advantages over traditional filtration techniques, including:

Higher filtration efficiency: Nonwoven materials have a higher filtration efficiency than traditional filtration media, which means they can remove a greater amount of impurities and contaminants.

Longer service life: Nonwoven materials have a longer service life than traditional filtration media, which means they need to be replaced less frequently.

Greater versatility: Nonwoven materials can be customized to meet specific filtration requirements, which makes them more versatile than traditional filtration media.

Reduced environmental impact: Nonwoven filtration can be more environmentally friendly than traditional filtration techniques, as it produces less waste and uses fewer resources.

Conclusion

Nonwoven filtration is a highly effective and versatile technique that is used in a wide range of industries to remove impurities and contaminants from liquids and gases. This process offers several advantages over traditional filtration techniques, including higher filtration efficiency, longer service life, and greater versatility. With its wide range of applications and benefits, nonwoven filtration is likely to remain an important part of modern filtration technology for many years to come.

The growing consciousness towards maintaining a clean environment and the escalating need for nonwoven filters from various end-use industries including medical & healthcare, water treatment, transportation, HVAC, food & beverage, among others, have opened up new avenues for the nonwoven filtration market. The nonwoven filters are not only cost-effective and durable but can also cater to a wide range of markets, thereby boosting the demand for these filters.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the nonwoven filtration market due to the suspension of manufacturing operations, supply chain disruptions, and a decline in demand from several end-use industries. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry's demand for nonwoven filters increased, which supported the market's growth during the pandemic. Moreover, the shift towards a healthier lifestyle and an increased awareness of the air and water quality index has led to the use of nonwoven filters in various industrial and non-industrial sectors. However, the pandemic severely affected end-use industries such as food and beverages, automotive, and HVAC systems.

Nonwoven Filtration Market Dynamics:

The nonwoven filtration market is being driven by various factors, with the increasing demand for water treatment being one of the primary drivers. The growth of the water treatment industry is predominantly being witnessed in emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil, and ASEAN countries, owing to economic limitations related to water treatment and lack of proper regulations. The governments in these countries are investing heavily in wastewater treatment to improve the quality of water.

With growing concern and stringent government regulations regarding water quality in both developed and developing regions, governments and manufacturing industries are emphasizing water treatment. Consequently, several countries are spending on expanding new water treatment plants and increasing the capacity of present ones, thereby driving the nonwoven filtration market.

One of the significant challenges faced by the water treatment industry is the limited availability of freshwater resources. Out of the total water resources globally, only 2.5% is freshwater resources, making water availability for industrial and domestic usage a tough challenge. Industrial water consumption accounts for approximately 25% of the total water consumption, and it is used in various applications of industrial processes such as oil & gas, mining, agriculture & irrigation, construction, food & beverage, life sciences, and pharma & biopharma industries. Therefore, efficient recycling and reuse of water have become crucial with the use of water treatment due to the increasing gap between the demand and supply of water for industrial use. Environmental regulations regarding wastewater discharge have also played a vital role in driving the demand for nonwoven filters for industrial water and wastewater treatment.

The demand for water treatment is expected to be higher in developing economies such as China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Chile, and Vietnam than in developed countries, owing to rising industrial expansions and the need for fresh and clean water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. The growth in the power, oil & gas, mining, and chemical industries, especially in developing economies, is expected to drive the nonwoven filtration market during the forecast period.

Opportunities: Profileration of advance technologies:

The industrial filter market is highly competitive, with various Layer Types, technologies, and filter media available. Additionally, specific standards are set for the manufacturing of filter products to maintain air and water quality. Nonwoven filters are in high demand due to their effectiveness in reducing contamination and maintenance costs, preserving natural resources, and increasing operational efficiency in industrial processes. This has led to a rise in prices, making it challenging for brand owners to combat inferior-quality and low-cost alternatives provided by gray markets, especially in price-sensitive emerging economies. This presents a barrier for global players to enter the local market, posing a challenge for the nonwoven filtration industry.

On the other hand, the proliferation of advanced technologies in the textile industry is creating opportunities for growth, especially for nonwoven filtration materials. The development of new technologies is expected to reduce production costs, making the supply and manufacturing of nonwoven textiles commercially feasible. Advancements in technologies such as airlaid, wetlaid, spunbond process, crabbing, calendaring, wrenching, creeping, pressing, spgrinding, singeing, washing, litting, printing, dyeing, and chemical finishing have enabled nonwoven textile fibers to possess functional properties required for nonwoven filtration. Filtration media suppliers are also focusing on more value-added, high-performing solutions that are efficient and provide cleaner energy. The usage of nanofiber and high-performance material technologies is providing alternatives to traditional membranes, creating new opportunities for nonwoven filtration material manufacturers. While high-performance fibers are largely produced in technologically advanced countries such as the US, Japan, Canada, and some European countries, developing countries such as India, China, and South Korea are also making progress in this area.

Challenges: Frequent replacement of industrial filters:

One of the significant environmental concerns nowadays is the frequent disposal and replacement of industrial filters as they contain toxic substances. In the pharmaceutical industry, for instance, air filters may contain pathogens that can survive for extended periods in humid environments, making their proper disposal crucial to prevent harm to the environment. However, ISO 14001 has compelled filter manufacturers to adopt environmental policies and strive to reduce industrial waste. Many companies also focus on the proper disposal of nonwoven filters used in various industrial applications.

The water filtration segment holds the largest share in the overall nonwoven filtration market due to the growing concern related to water treatment and significant investment from the government and industrial sector. The expansion of existing water filtration plant capacities and the development of new water treatment plants are also supporting the growth of the nonwoven filtration market.

The synthetic segment is estimated to be the largest market for nonwoven filtration due to several factors such as high performance characteristics, availability of raw materials, ease of formulation and application, and low cost. Synthetic filter media use both mechanical and electrostatically charged methods, improving the initial filtration effectiveness without altering airflow resistance.

In 2022, the multi-layer nonwoven filter segment had the largest market share in nonwoven filtration. This is due to the improved physical and filtration characteristics provided by the structural anisotropy of different fibers used in multi-layer nonwoven filter fabrics. Gas turbine applications have benefited from the use of these filters as they outperformed single layer filters.

The spunbond segment is the largest in the nonwoven filtration market, followed by the melt blow segment, according to technology. Spunbond technology offers better filtration efficiency and durability, which is why it is in high demand in the nonwoven filtration market.

During the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will have the largest share of the nonwoven filtration market. The increase in investments in industries such as manufacturing, medical & healthcare, and food & beverage will drive the demand for nonwoven filtration in the APAC region. Additionally, the growth of the market will be supported by increasing government regulations, rising awareness, and industrial initiatives for sustainable development.

Market Segmentation

For the purpose of this report, the global Nonwoven Filtration market segmented on the basis of filter type, layer type, technology, end user, end-use, and region:

Filter Type Outlook:

On the basis of filter type, the market is segmented into natural, synthetic.

Layer Type Outlook:

On the basis of Layer Type, the market is segmented into Single, Multi-layer.

Technology Outlook:

On the basis of Technology, the market is segmented into Airlaid, Meltblow, Needlepunch, Spunbond, Spunlace, Thermobond, Wetlaid, Others.

Figure 1 Nonwoven Filtration Market By Technology (Market Size And Forecast By Value - USD Million, 2022 & 2030)