Non-Woven Glass Fibre Articles Market

The global market for non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses, and boards is expected to see continued growth over the next eight years, with consumption trends indicating an upward trajectory. From 2022 to 2030, the market is forecasted to experience a CAGR of +1.5% in volume, reaching 7.6M tons, and a CAGR of +3.9% in value, reaching $22.2B. In 2022, consumption increased by 1.8% to 6.7M tons, with the United States leading in both consumption and production. Global production and export figures show some fluctuations, with prices varying by country of origin. Overall, the market shows promising growth potential for the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses and boards worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 7.6M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $22.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Non-Woven Glass Fibre Webs, Felts, Mattresses And Boards

In 2022, consumption of non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses and boards increased by 1.8% to 6.7M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 6.8M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global non-woven glass fibre articles market size amounted to $16.3B in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $16.4B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The United States (2.7M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of non-woven glass fibre articles consumption, accounting for 40% of total volume. Moreover, non-woven glass fibre articles consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (1.3M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by France (434K tons), with a 6.4% share.

In the United States, non-woven glass fibre articles consumption increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+4.1% per year) and France (+5.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($6.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($2.4B). It was followed by China.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States amounted to +3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+5.3% per year) and China (+4.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of non-woven glass fibre articles per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (8 kg per person), France (6.4 kg per person) and Japan (1.3 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +7.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Non-Woven Glass Fibre Webs, Felts, Mattresses And Boards

In 2022, approx. 6.5M tons of non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses and boards were produced worldwide; approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 13%. Global production peaked at 6.8M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-woven glass fibre articles production fell to $15.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $16B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The United States (2.6M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of non-woven glass fibre articles production, accounting for 40% of total volume. Moreover, non-woven glass fibre articles production in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (1.3M tons), twofold. India (414K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.3% share.

In the United States, non-woven glass fibre articles production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+1.6% per year) and India (+3.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Non-Woven Glass Fibre Webs, Felts, Mattresses And Boards

In 2022, global non-woven glass fibre articles imports declined to 889K tons, dropping by -9.4% on the previous year. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 981K tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, non-woven glass fibre articles imports contracted to $2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $2.2B, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, France (115K tons), distantly followed by the United States (51K tons), Germany (50K tons), Poland (44K tons) and Canada (40K tons) represented the main importers of non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses and boards, together constituting 34% of total imports. The following importers - Spain (37K tons), the Netherlands (36K tons), Australia (31K tons), Denmark (28K tons), the UK (27K tons), Austria (26K tons), Belgium (26K tons) and the Czech Republic (23K tons) - together made up 26% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-woven glass fibre articles imports into France stood at +9.5%. At the same time, Australia (+21.7%), Spain (+19.3%), Austria (+17.2%), Poland (+8.2%), the Czech Republic (+7.6%), the Netherlands (+7.4%), Denmark (+6.3%) and the UK (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Australia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +21.7% from 2012-2022. The United States, Belgium and Canada experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of France, Spain, Australia, Austria and Poland increased by +5.3, +3.1, +2.8, +2.1 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest non-woven glass fibre articles importing markets worldwide were the United States ($180M), France ($175M) and Germany ($133M), together comprising 25% of global imports. Canada, Spain, Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Australia, with a CAGR of +14.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average non-woven glass fibre articles import price stood at $2,218 per ton in 2022, dropping by -2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 8.1% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $2,693 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($3,553 per ton), while Australia ($1,127 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Non-Woven Glass Fibre Webs, Felts, Mattresses And Boards

In 2022, approx. 691K tons of non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses and boards were exported worldwide; shrinking by -30.2% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports showed a slight downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 990K tons in 2021, and then declined markedly in the following year.

In value terms, non-woven glass fibre articles exports dropped rapidly to $1.7B in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $2.3B, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Belgium (130K tons), distantly followed by the Czech Republic (72K tons), the UK (69K tons), Germany (65K tons), Turkey (37K tons) and Poland (35K tons) were the main exporters of non-woven glass fibre webs, felts, mattresses and boards, together comprising 59% of total exports. Canada (26K tons), Slovenia (25K tons), France (23K tons), Switzerland (21K tons), the United States (21K tons), the Netherlands (19K tons) and Finland (19K tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +14.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($326M) remains the largest non-woven glass fibre articles supplier worldwide, comprising 19% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($157M), with a 9.3% share of global exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (+4.0% per year) and the UK (+5.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average non-woven glass fibre articles export price stood at $2,443 per ton in 2022, picking up by 4.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($15,730 per ton), while the Czech Republic ($1,073 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+19.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform