Nonwovens market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the nonwovens market in Romania was shaped by underlying industry challenges. The sector faced a persistent shortage of skilled labor and insufficient government support, hindering technological modernization and keeping production focused on lower-value assembly. This structural weakness contributed to a reliance on imports, which remained high, peaking at 45 177 t in 2020. Concurrently, exports grew steadily, reaching 12 108 t by 2021. During this period, a notable diversification occurred in related textile fields, such as the flower market, indicating broader shifts in industrial activity that could influence nonwovens consumption patterns.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a phase of significant contraction in volume. Production plummeted from 52 763 t in 2022 to just 11 888 t in 2024, while market size fell from 79 286 t to 34 271 t over the same period. In value terms, the market stabilized in 2023 before declining to $162.5 million in 2024. This sharp downturn coincided with increasing price sensitivity among consumers, who resisted price hikes of 6-15% in online channels, dampening demand. Furthermore, the industry began adapting to stricter EU waste management directives for textiles, which increased compliance costs and likely pressured production volumes. Improved access to factoring services provided some financial support to companies but was insufficient to offset these combined headwinds.

Production nonwovens in Romania

According to Faostat, there is no production of nonwovens in Romania.

Exports nonwovens from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's nonwovens exports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 9 780 tons of nonwovens, marking a 9.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 23.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Moldova, and Turkey remained the primary buyers of Romanian nonwovens by volume. Germany accounted for 21.2% of exports, Moldova for 19.1%, and Turkey for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 50.7% of Romania's total nonwovens exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's nonwovens exports reached 35.7 million US dollars, showing a modest 5.7% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 9.8%, averaging 3.2% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 37.2 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 14.6% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with exports dropping by 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova, Ukraine, and Germany were the top buyers of Romanian nonwovens by value. Moldova led with 23.0% of exports, followed by Ukraine at 19.2%, and Germany at 13.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 55.3% of Romania's total nonwovens export value.

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

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

Imports nonwovens to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania imported 45 177 tons of nonwovens in 2020, a 9.4% rise from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 17%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 9.9%, while 2019 experienced the largest decline of 2.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Germany, and Italy were the dominant sources for Romania's nonwovens imports by volume. Together, these three countries supplied 50.1% of the total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Romania imported approximately 192.1 million US dollars worth of nonwovens, reflecting a modest 4.0% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 13.1%, averaging 4.2% per year. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 12.5%, whereas 2019 saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Turkey were the leading sources of Romania's nonwovens imports by value. Germany contributed 24.4% of imports, Italy 20.2%, and Turkey 11.5%. Combined, these three countries made up 56.2% of Romania's total import value for nonwovens.

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

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