After a period of above-average expansion, needlepunch is expected to return to more moderate, normalized growth through the end of the decade.
According to market researcher Smithers’ report, The Future of Global Nonwovens to 2030, needlepunch accounted for 2.3 million tons or 24.4 billion square meters, valued at $8.9 billion in 2020. Between 2020 and 2025, growth was above average at 8.3% (tons), 10.5% (m2), and 7.5% ($), and consumption reached 3.5 million tons, 40.2 billion square meters and $12.7 billion.
Growth is projected to drop to 5.7% (tons), 5.9% (m2) and 3.1% ($) between 2025 and 2030, with consumption in 2030 reaching 4.6 million tons, 53.6 billion square meters and $14.8 billion.
“Historically, needlepunch produces high basis weight webs, unfit for some growing markets, and line speeds are slow,” explains Phillip Mango, industry specialist and report author at Smithers. “Significant progress in producing lighter basis weight and growing in some key end uses led to a boost in needlepunch consumption between 2020 and 2025; expect more normal growth through 2030.”
Markus Hoh, sales director of German nonwovens producer BWF Protec, points out that demand has now stabilized at a moderate level following the fluctuations caused by the pandemic. “The biggest obstacles in the global market are regional crises and conflicts, which are leading to cautious planning in the face of expected rising costs, particularly in the areas of raw materials, energy and transportation,” he explains. “At the same time, these factors can also drive progress in specific areas such as energy storage, energy efficiency measures and safety issues.”
Roland Jaehn and Thomas Lais, general managers of Technische Textilien Lörrach (TTL), another German producer of needlepunch, agree, saying that demand was stable in recent years, but now it’s influenced by the economic situation worldwide. “At the moment, the Iran war has an impact and will continue to do so in the future if it doesn’t stop soon,” Jaehn says. “Prices are getting under pressure if demand lowers. The competition is stiff. We expect growth in the future only if the global situation is economically friendly.”
Adding to this cautious outlook, Anze Manfreda, SVP Division Automotive & Condensation Solutions at Freudenberg Performance Materials, one of the world’s largest nonwovens manufacturers, says short-term growth prospects for core markets remain limited given the current geopolitical environment.
At the same time, demand for sustainable products is increasing, Manfreda explains, particularly materials made from recycled content or designed for end-of-life recyclability, with more customers requesting EPD (Environmental Product Declarations) and similar certifications. However, the availability of high-quality recycled fiber is under pressure due to other industries’ demand for PET bottles.
Needlepunch machinery suppliers are expressing cautious optimism, citing resilient demand and long-term drivers, despite more cautious investment conditions in the near term.
Guillaume Julien, global sales director, Engineered Textile – Airlay, Needlepunch, Bast Fibers & Textile Recycling, Andritz, says that the global demand for needlepunch nonwovens remains structurally resilient, supported by the technology’s unmatched versatility across a wide range of applications – from geotextiles and filtration to automotive interiors, synthetic leather, insulation and technical felts. “Unlike single-segment textile technologies, needlepunch benefits from diversified end markets, each following its own investment and demand cycle. This diversity acts as a natural buffer against economic volatility,” he explains.
After the short slowdown observed in early 2020, the needlepunch market experienced a strong recovery until the third quarter of 2023, driven by infrastructure investments, industrial production rebounds and renewed confidence across North America, Europe and Asia. “While 2024 has been more cautious due to geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressure and election-related uncertainty, the medium- and long-term outlook remained positive in 2025 with a similar trend for 2026,” Julien says.
Despite a more cautious macroeconomic environment, nonwovens producers are continuing to invest in new machinery and line upgrades. “Importantly, the most recent investments are not limited to replacement of obsolete assets but represent net capacity additions, reflecting confidence in future demand,” he adds.
From machinery supplier Autefa Solutions’ recent observations of the market, new needlepunch investments have been selective. André Imhof, CEO, Autefa Solutions Austria & Switzerland, says that producers are still investing, but their decisions are increasingly ROI-driven. “In North America, for example, many companies currently prioritize upgrades, retrofits, line assessments and service solutions over new equipment, especially in a cautious investment climate,” he explains.
When producers do invest, their key priorities are consistent quality, high productivity with low operating costs and high line availability, as well as the flexibility to process different fibers and product weights. “This is especially important as recycled and more variable raw materials become more common. Price remains an important factor, and we are seeing growing pressure from low-cost competitors,” Imhof adds.
A similar trend is noted by Riccarda Dilo of machinery supplier DiloGroup, who says producers are still investing, but with a clear focus on efficiency and flexibility. “They prioritize higher productivity, lower energy use and stable processes. Given that the nonwovens industry is very broad and diverse, investments vary widely by segment—but the trend toward futureproof, flexible machinery is consistent,” she adds.
