For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The non-woven fabric market in North America exhibited a mixed trend during Q1 2025, shaped by contrasting dynamics in feedstock pricing, supply constraints, and shifting demand patterns. Throughout the quarter, feedstock polypropylene (PP) prices steadily increased due to limited production, driven in part by elevated propylene costs. Leading producers, including ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell announced price hikes, intensifying upward pressure across the PP market. Tight production persisted, with reported run rates dipping to around 80%, compelling suppliers to transfer cost burdens downstream.
Demand conditions fluctuated notably across the quarter. January saw robust demand, bolstered by active downstream sectors such as textiles and home furnishings, along with elevated import costs triggered by fears of an East Coast port strike. This led to front-loaded shipments, higher freight rates, and increased landing costs.
In February, demand stabilized at moderate levels despite cold-weather disruptions to domestic output, as resilient textile activity was supported by a strong labor market. However, March marked a downturn, with subdued consumer sentiment, softening textile demand, and robust inventory levels dampening activity. The easing of freight rates and reduced import costs, coupled with tariff-related uncertainties, further weighed on buyer confidence, leading to a softer close to the quarter.
Europe
The European non-woven fabric market experienced a bullish price trend throughout Q1 2025, driven by a combination of firm demand and persistent supply constraints. Polypropylene (PP), the key feedstock, witnessed continuous price hikes during the quarter due to limited production and tighter supply. Maintenance turnarounds in Middle Eastern facilities and reduced PP inflows from Asia restricted availability, while leading producers like LyondellBasell, ExxonMobil, SABIC, and Braskem raised prices in response. Additionally, consistently low cracker run rates and unplanned outages at several European fluid catalytic cracker units constrained local PP output. This tightness was exacerbated by logistics disruptions, including vessel delays and port congestion along the coast, which hindered spot trading and import flows. In terms of demand, January saw a sharp post-holiday rebound, driven by strong orders from the textile sector and aggressive restocking by German manufacturers. Regional inventory shortages and logistics issues—such as vessel tightness and labor constraints—intensified the upward pressure. February continued this momentum, supported by steady procurement from the textile, nonwoven, and automotive sectors, despite minor weather and container delays. Although March demand eased slightly due to subdued consumer sentiment, ample inventories, and continued imports, overall market sentiment remained positive.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the nonwoven fabric market in the APAC region witnessed an overall bearish pricing trend, largely influenced by supply-demand imbalances and subdued downstream procurement. In January, prices showed a steady decline, driven by consistent but sluggish demand from the textile and hygiene sectors, and stable feedstock Polypropylene (PP) costs. Logistics improvements and manageable freight rates contributed to supply-side stability but did not offset the bearish undertone. In the mid of quarter, the bearish momentum intensified. Prices dropped further, attributed to excess supply, pre-holiday production ramp-ups in China, amidst the sluggish demand. Weak downstream consumption, cautious inventory stocking, and resumed operations at key PP plants exerted downward pressure. Though feedstock PP prices fell, the impact of weak overseas demand and year-end liquidity constraints pushed prices lower. March witnessed a modest recovery, underpinned by seasonal demand revival from the agriculture and packaging sectors. Enhanced manufacturing activity and stable polypropylene (PP) feedstock costs contributed to balanced supply conditions. Nevertheless, the market faced headwinds from weak new order inflows and persistent export challenges, which restrained any substantial price increase. The quarter concluded with a slight uptick in prices; however, overall market sentiment remained muted. China experienced the most notable volatility, with prices declining by approximately 2% over the quarter, settling at USD 1340/MT FOB Shanghai.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The nonwoven fabric market in North America experienced a downward trend throughout Q4 2024, largely influenced by subdued demand, economic uncertainties, and external market factors. Early in the quarter, demand from key sectors such as hygiene, medical, and automotive remained weak, impacted by rising inflation and changing consumer priorities. As a result, purchasing behavior was cautious, with many downstream industries holding off on procurement. Import activity remained steady, ensuring that supply levels were adequate, though market prices remained stable, offering limited upward movement.
The mid-quarters saw minor adjustments in pricing, primarily driven by rising import costs and tightening global supply chains, but the overall impact on demand remained moderate. Despite this, ample supply from global markets, including Asia, and elevated inventory levels in North America prevented any significant price increases.
By the end of the quarter, limited buying activity, coupled with the influx of competitively priced imports, especially from Asia, kept the market in a bearish state. The general sentiment remained weak, with little to no expectation of price recovery in the near term.
Europe
The nonwoven fabric market in Europe experienced a continuous decline in pricing throughout Q4 2024, driven by low demand, ample supply, and broader economic challenges. Early in the quarter, falling production costs, coupled with high inventory levels, placed downward pressure on prices. The subdued performance of key industries such as hygiene, medical, and automotive, combined with weak export opportunities, further exacerbated the market downturn. Despite stable energy prices and relatively favorable inflation conditions, demand was insufficient to stabilize the market. Throughout the quarter, economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and cautious consumer spending persisted, preventing any substantial recovery in demand. Even with stable supply levels and efforts to balance inventories, weak market sentiment prevented any upward price movement. As the quarter progressed, logistical challenges, including port congestion and transportation delays, added further strain on the market. By the end of the quarter, demand continued to weaken, particularly from downstream industries, and prices remained under pressure, with little hope for a recovery as key sectors remained reluctant to engage in procurement.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the APAC nonwoven fabric market exhibited a mixed trend, with declines in October and December and an upward shift in November. The overall market dynamics were influenced by both downstream demand and supply-side factors. In October and December, demand remained moderate, driven by weak consumer sentiments, which resulted in slower new orders and a focus on fulfilling outstanding orders. Despite subdued demand, the supply of nonwoven fabric remained ample, low feedstock costs, and high production rates. However, disruptions such as the ILA Port Strike in the U.S. and Super Typhoon Kong-Rey affected logistics, pushing freight rates higher and impacting global supply chains. In November, demand showed signs of improvement, driven by stronger retail sales and overseas demand during the Diwali period, alongside higher manufacturing costs and due to logistical disruptions. This tightening of supply, combined with moderate demand, led to a slight upward pressure on prices. Overall, the market remained balanced, with supply aligning with reduced demand while adjusting to external logistical challenges.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American nonwoven fabric market experienced a notable decline in prices, largely driven by limited demand from downstream sectors. The sluggish consumption across various industries significantly impacted overall market performance, placing considerable downward pressure on nonwoven fabric prices.
A key factor contributing to this decline was the substantial decrease in feedstock prices, particularly Polypropylene (PP). This quarter saw a sharp drop in PP prices due to oversupply and insufficient cost support from upstream. The combination of these elements created a challenging pricing environment for nonwoven fabric manufacturers.
Additionally, in anticipation of the hurricane season, regional traders stockpiled ample inventory, leading to an unexpected oversupply in the market. This excess inventory further exacerbated the decline in prices, resulting in a persistent downward trend in nonwoven fabric pricing throughout the quarter. Overall, the market dynamics were shaped by the interplay of limited demand and excess inventory, highlighting the challenges faced by manufacturers in North America during this period.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the nonwoven fabric market in the APAC region exhibited a mixed pricing trend, influenced by various critical factors. During the first two months of the quarter, supply and demand levels remained stable; however, price fluctuations were primarily driven by the volatility in key feedstock, Polypropylene (PP). As the quarter progressed into its final month, prices declined, attributed to increased operational capacity in anticipation of higher consumption levels. This downward trend was further reinforced by lower PP feedstock prices, which alleviated production costs and contributed to the overall reduction in nonwoven fabric prices. When analyzing the quarter-on-quarter data, nonwoven fabric prices showed a decline of 1.5%. Additionally, when compared to the same quarter the previous year, prices decreased by 6.5%, reflecting broader market challenges. By the end of the quarter, the price for nonwoven fabric was recorded at USD 1408/MT CFR Tokyo in Japan. This figure encapsulates the mixed pricing dynamics of the quarter, highlighting the interplay of supply, demand, and feedstock fluctuations.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the European nonwoven fabric market experienced notable supply and demand dynamics that contributed to the upward pricing trend. Early in the quarter, maintenance shutdowns at several manufacturing units across Europe significantly constrained production capacity. This reduction in output led to limited inventory levels, creating a tight supply situation that heightened the pressure on prices. Despite these constraints, demand from downstream sectors, including hygiene products, medical applications, and industrial uses, remained moderate. This steady demand helped mitigate the potential for sharper price declines, as customers continued to seek consistent supplies of nonwoven fabrics. However, the supply side was further strained by low feedstock inventory, particularly Polypropylene (PP), which saw diminished import levels from the Middle East. This scarcity of feedstock led manufacturers to face challenges in maintaining their production levels, exacerbating the tight supply conditions. As a result, the interplay of constrained supply due to production shutdowns and low feedstock availability against moderate but consistent demand created an environment conducive to price increases in the nonwoven fabric market throughout the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the nonwoven fabric market in North America demonstrated stable pricing, despite a general downturn in the broader textile sector. This stability was largely driven by steady consumption in the hygiene and medical sectors, where demand for products like diapers, sanitary items, and medical disposables remained strong. These essential applications provided a consistent market, supporting the balanced price trend for nonwoven fabrics.
On the feedstock front, polypropylene (PP) prices were stable during the first two months of the quarter, which contributed to maintaining nonwoven fabric prices. However, the third month saw a notable increase in PP prices. This surge was attributed to a tight supply, exacerbated by higher propylene feedstock costs and a fluctuating crude oil market. The limited availability of propylene, a key raw material, was due to production issues and maintenance shutdowns, which further strained the supply chain.
Conclusively, Q2 2024 recorded a balanced price trend for nonwoven fabrics in North America. This stability, amid fluctuations in the broader market and feedstock prices, underscores the resilience of the nonwoven fabric sector, driven by strong demand in essential product categories.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the nonwoven fabric market in Europe exhibited mixed pricing trends. The overall textile sector faced a downturn, but nonwoven fabric prices showed initial bullishness due to supportive feedstock costs and positive downstream demand, particularly from the hygiene sector. This early quarter strength was driven by stable demand for essential products such as diapers and sanitary items, which are key applications for nonwoven fabrics.
The first half of the quarter saw an upward trend in prices, bolstered by relatively high polypropylene (PP) feedstock prices. This cost support, combined with steady consumption, contributed to the bullish trend. However, the market dynamics shifted in the latter half of the quarter. A decline in PP prices, driven by increased production and improved supply chain conditions, dampened the earlier price momentum. This decrease in feedstock costs led to lower nonwoven fabric prices, reflecting the reduced input costs.
Conclusively, Q2 2024 recorded a mixed price trend for nonwoven fabrics in the Eurozone. The initial bullish trend was tempered by a subsequent decline in feedstock costs, leading to a balanced yet varied pricing environment. This reflects the complex interplay between raw material prices and sector-specific demand, highlighting the unique dynamics of the nonwoven fabric market in Europe.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the non-woven fabric market in the APAC region experienced a downward trend in pricing, driven by key factors. Reduced downstream demand, exacerbated by economic headwinds and subdued manufacturing activities, played a crucial role in this decline. Stability in feedstock prices, particularly polypropylene, further contributed to the lack of upward price momentum, as increased feedstock inventory levels alleviated cost pressures on production. Additionally, fluctuations in global crude oil prices and logistical challenges, including port congestion and rising freight charges, impacted consumer purchasing sentiments.
Japan, in particular, witnessed significant price fluctuations, reflecting broader market trends. Seasonality affected demand patterns, with slower-than-expected consumption in downstream industries such as textiles. Correlating with these trends, prices fell steadily throughout the quarter, marked by a -7% year-on-year decline and a -5% quarter-on-quarter decrease. The first half of the quarter saw relatively higher prices compared to the latter half, with a noted -2% drop, underscoring the persistent bearish sentiment in the market.
The quarter ended with non-woven fabric prices assessed at USD 1358/MT CFR Tokyo, highlighting the negative pricing environment. Overall, the consistent decrease in prices reflects a challenging market landscape, characterized by muted demand, stable feedstock costs, and logistical hurdles, thereby maintaining a negative pricing environment throughout Q2 2024.
