Market Dynamics
Introduction
Nonwoven textiles are specialized fabrics used in various applications such as carpets and floor coverings, trunk liners, headliners, door panels, and many other applications. These textiles are manufactured using nonwoven technology, which involves the entanglement or bonding of fibers without weaving or knitting them together. Automotive nonwoven textiles offer a range of benefits such as strength, durability, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, lightweight, and design flexibility.
Market Drivers
The automotive nonwoven market is driven by the increasing demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles. Automakers are incorporating nonwoven textiles due to their lightweight nature, which helps in reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency. Additionally, stringent government regulations on emissions are pushing manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly materials. Nonwoven textiles also enhance vehicle safety and comfort by providing superior acoustic and thermal insulation, further driving their adoption in interior components like carpets, headliners, and door panels.
Another key driver is the growing automotive production and rising consumer preference for enhanced vehicle aesthetics and comfort. The expanding electric vehicle (EV) market also boosts the demand for nonwoven textiles, as these materials contribute to lightweight structures essential for improving battery efficiency. Advancements in nonwoven manufacturing technologies, such as recyclable and bio-based materials, are gaining traction, aligning with the industry's shift towards sustainability. Additionally, cost-effectiveness and ease of customization make nonwoven textiles a preferred choice in vehicle interiors. Overall, the automotive nonwoven market is likely to rebound at a promising CAGR of 4.1%, in the long run, to reach US$ 4.7 billion in 2031.
Segment Analysis
Segmentations
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List of Sub-Segments
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Segments with High-Growth Opportunity
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Vehicle-Category Type Analysis
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Automotive, Recreational Vehicles, and Other Vehicles
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Automotive is anticipated to remain the biggest demand generator for nonwoven composites in the years to come.
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Material-Type Analysis
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Polyester, Polypropylene, Glass Fibers, Natural Fiber, and Other Materials
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Polyester is expected to dominate the market in the upcoming years.
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Application-Type Analysis
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Carpet, Insulation, Trunk, Hood Liner, Headliner, Seating, Packaged Tray, Door Panel, and Other Applications
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Carpet is expected to remain the largest application of the market in the years to come.
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Formation-Type Analysis
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Spunlaid, Drylaid, and Other Formations
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Drylaid is likely to dominate the automotive nonwoven market over the years.
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Region Analysis
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North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and The Rest of the World
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The Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the largest market in the years to come.
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By Vehicle Type
“Automotive is expected to remain the dominant vehicle of the automotive nonwoven market during the forecast period.”
Based on the vehicle type, the automotive nonwoven market is segmented into automotive (ICE, BEV, and Hybrid), recreational vehicles, and other vehicles. Nonwovens Automotive will continue to dominate the automotive nonwoven market with high production levels, versatile applications, and governmental compliances. The increasing use of EVs and hybrids and demand for lighter, lower-cost, and greener materials is propelling nonwoven demand. Nonwovens are important in thermal, acoustic, and battery insulation, which makes vehicles more efficient and comfortable. Their fiber structure contributes to them being extremely effective sound absorbers, dampening noise and vibrations for a quieter ride particularly in EVs, where the lack of an internal combustion engine further increases the demand for sound-dampening technology.
By Material Type
“Polyester is expected to remain dominant for the automotive nonwoven market during the forecast period.”
Based on the material type, the market is segmented into polyester, polypropylene, glass fiber, natural fiber, and other materials. Polyester is mostly used in carpets, headliners, packaged trays, and trunks. It offers high strength, durability, comfort, aesthetic appeal, and low moisture absorption. Polyester fabrics can be engineered to have specific properties like softness, moisture-wicking, and breathability, enhancing the overall comfort and feel of the vehicle interior.
By Application Type
“Carpet is expected to hold the largest share of the automotive nonwoven market during the forecast period.”
Based on the application type, the market is segmented into carpet, insulation, trunk, hood liner, headliner, seating, packaged tray, door panel, and other applications. Nonwovens provide tremendous floor protection, underlayment or padding, heat, and sound insulation in flooring applications in the automotive industry. An average car uses approximately 25-30 square meters of nonwoven fabrics, out of which ~35-40% is associated with carpets. Developments, such as Autoneum’s Tune-It needle punch carpets, provide optimal noise protection with a weight advantage of up to 25% over regular needle punch carpets. They also promote lower fuel consumption and emissions.
By Formation Type
“Drylaid is likely to dominate the market of automotive nonwoven during the forecast period.”
Based on the formation type, the market is segmented into spunlaid, drylaid, and other formations. Drylaid nonwovens can be produced using various types of reinforced fibers, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., fiberglass, polyester fiber), natural fibers (e.g., flax, wool), or a blend of different fibers. They offer a combination of strength, durability, dimensional stability, and acoustic properties that make them suitable for various automotive interior applications such as trunk liners, headliners, and door panels.
Regional Analysis
“Asia-Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the automotive nonwoven market during the forecast period.”
Asia-Pacific has a presence of a large number of major OEMs, such as Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, BYD, and Hyundai, which make the region a growth engine of the automotive industry. Stringent government regulations related to vehicle emissions and safety standards in countries like China and Japan have prompted automotive manufacturers to incorporate nonwoven materials in various applications demanding requirements, such as lightweight, noise reduction, and insulation. China is the world's largest producer of nonwoven textiles, with China producing roughly one-third of all nonwovens produced worldwide. With 5.3 million tons produced in 2020, China accounted for 33.9% of global output. China was not only the largest manufacturer, but it was also the country with the fastest growth rate in nonwoven manufacturing.
North America and Europe are also likely to create sizeable opportunities in the coming years, driven by increasing automotive production and a rising focus on lightweight vehicles to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

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Report Features
This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:
- Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
- Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
- Market trend and forecast analysis.
- Market segment trend and forecast.
- Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
- COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
- Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
- Emerging trends.
- Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
- Key success factors.
The global Automotive Nonwoven market is segmented into the following categories.
Automotive Nonwoven Market, by Vehicle Category Type
- Automotive
- (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- (Automotive Type Analysis: ICE, BEV, and Hybrid)
- Recreational Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Other Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Automotive Nonwoven Market by Material Type
- Polyester (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Polypropylene (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Glass Fiber (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Natural Fiber (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Other Materials (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Automotive Nonwoven Market by Application Type
- Carpet (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Insulation (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Trunk (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Hood Liners (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Headliners (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Seating (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Packaged Tray (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Door Panels (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Other Applications (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Automotive Nonwoven Market by Formation Type
- Spunlaid (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Drylaid (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
- Other Formations (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
Automotive Nonwoven Market by Region
- North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
- Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Turkey, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
- Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
- Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Argentina, and Others)