Nonwovens market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The nonwovens market in Germany saw a decline in volume to 349 thousand tons in 2019, a period marked by flat production growth across Europe. This changed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic sharply increased demand for medical and hygiene nonwovens, especially for filter media, pushing market volume to 376 thousand tons despite a downturn in the automotive industry.

Growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with the market reaching 431 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by the recovery of automotive manufacturing, which boosted demand for interior and filtration applications. Concurrently, leading companies like Freudenberg invested in sustainable and innovative products, aligning with global trends toward lighter, high-performance materials.

In 2024, new regulations such as the revised Gebäudeenergiegesetz (GEG) and the EU Eco-design Regulation came into force, creating indirect demand for technical nonwovens in construction and textiles. Freudenberg launched a new line of 100% synthetic wet-laid nonwovens, and Innovia Films expanded its co-extrusion capacity in Leipzig for sustainable label films. Despite these innovations, the overall market volume decreased slightly to 416 thousand tons.

Production nonwovens in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's nonwovens production value reached 2 001 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 2.0% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 070 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 6.5% occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Nonwovens production in Germany has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output amounted to 493.5 thousand tonnes, which is 0.8% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 4.3%, resulting in an average annual decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports nonwovens from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's nonwovens exports totaled 393.7 thousand tonnes, showing little change compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 388.1 thousand tonnes, with a decline of 0.8% that year. The highest volume occurred in 2019 at 395.5 thousand tonnes, accompanied by an increase of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's nonwovens exports were distributed across numerous markets. Even the top destinations—Poland, the Netherlands, and the United States—collectively accounted for only 27.6% of total export volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's nonwovens export value reached 2 092 million US dollars in 2020, remaining largely unchanged from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 152 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 4.3% that year. In 2019, exports saw the largest decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's nonwovens export value was not highly concentrated. Poland, the United States, and France together represented just 24.3% of total export value, with shares of 9.6%, 8.4%, and 6.3%, respectively.

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

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports nonwovens to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's nonwovens import volume rose to 276.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, reflecting an 11.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15.6%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Analysis of import volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across many markets. Italy, France, and Czechia together accounted for only 31.8% of total imports, with shares of 16.0%, 8.4%, and 7.4%, respectively, while the remaining 68.2% came from various other partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany imported nonwovens worth 1 177 million US dollars in 2020, up 5.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Italy, the United States, and France were key suppliers of nonwovens to Germany, but their combined share of import value was only 36.1%. Italy contributed 17.2%, the United States 10.5%, and France 8.5%, with the remaining 63.9% spread across many other partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020