Nonwoven materials and protective clothing market in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the US market for nonwoven materials and protective clothing experienced notable shifts in size. Starting at 7 581 million US dollars in 2018, the market volume stabilized with a slight decline to 7 454 million in 2019. A sharp increase followed in 2020, pushing the market to 11 798 million. This peak was followed by a contraction to 9 279 million in 2021, with the market then stabilizing at approximately 9 310 million in 2022.

In the later part of the period, market dynamics were shaped by evolving trends and structural changes. Growing environmental consciousness in 2023 reinforced demand for sustainable and eco-friendly nonwoven materials. The following year saw significant industry movements, including the entry of Toray Industries through a strategic partnership with Fitesa to expand polypropylene nonwoven fabric production capacity by 50%. Major players like Freudenberg and DuPont launched new product lines and scaled up production, particularly for protective equipment, while stringent infection control and environmental regulations continued to influence market conditions.

Production nonwoven materials and protective clothing in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, produced 1 063 K t of nonwoven materials and protective clothing, representing an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 982 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 155 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of nonwoven materials and protective clothing in the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, reached 6 968 M $ US, marking a 1.7% rise from the year before. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 6 853 M $ US, and the highest in 2018 at 7 155 M $ US. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports nonwoven materials and protective clothing from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. From 2019 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 2.5 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of nonwoven materials and protective clothing from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, totaled 329.0 K t, reflecting a 60.3% decrease compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 828.9 K t, with the largest increase that year at 140.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Canada, and China were the primary buyers of nonwoven materials and protective clothing from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Mexico accounted for 33.7% of exports in kind, Canada for 27.7%, and China for 7.0%, together making up 68.3% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, exports of nonwoven materials and protective clothing from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, amounted to 2 157 M $ US, showing a slight increase of 2.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Mexico, Canada, and China—collectively represented 59.4% of the total export value for nonwoven materials and protective clothing from the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Imports nonwoven materials and protective clothing to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend over the period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2 times. In 2020, shipments of nonwoven materials and protective clothing to the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, from abroad totaled 868.9 K t, indicating an 84.7% improvement relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Mexico were the main sources for imports in kind. China accounted for 42.2% of imports in kind, India for 6.3%, and Mexico for 5.9%, together comprising 54.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported volumes of nonwoven materials and protective clothing to the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 6 988 M $ US, equivalent to a sharp rise of 159.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 215%, translating to an annualized rate of 46.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Mexico, and Germany were the leading destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for nonwoven materials and protective clothing to the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. China represented 47.3% of imports in value terms, Mexico 6.8%, and Germany 5.6%, with a combined share of 59.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020