Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, stated: “Despite the negative impact of several drivers affecting the nonwovens industry, the slowdown in demand across some key market segments, and an increasing competition from abroad, the European nonwovens industry has once again demonstrated its strength, resilience, flexibility and ability to innovate.”

Diverging trends were observed across European countries and among the various nonwovens production processes. Total spunmelt output decreased by 3.3%, while drylaid technologies production remained nearly stable at -0.7%. Limited growths were recorded in hydroentanglement and needle-punched bonding processes, at +0.1% and +0.8%, respectively.

The hygiene market—still the main end-use for nonwovens by volume—declined by 2.7% in 2025, following growth of 1.7% in 2024. This decrease was mainly driven by developments in the baby diaper market.

Significant changes in tonnage for nonwovens in 2025 were also seen in sales of roll goods for personal care wipes (+0.9%), building and roofing (-6.8%), automotive interiors (-0.9%), and upholstery (-7.1%). However, these figures do not take into account specific grammage developments, which are available to EDANA members through surface area data.