Higher adoption across personal care, healthcare, and water treatment applications will significantly influence the market for nonwoven sorbents. In addition, the rising instances of oil spills and leakages have given rise to numerous cleanliness concerns.
Nonwoven sorbents are derived from melt-blowing processes that employ propylene polymers and are mainly used as oil sorb materials. These components possess high bulk and strength, maximum oil capacities and absorption rates across various applications.
As per estimates, the global nonwoven sorbents market size could reach a significant value through the next few years.
Rising preference for spunbound components
Annual revenue from spunbound nonwoven sorbents will gain remarkable traction owing to the rising deployment of the technology. These materials act as antistatic absorbents and are well suited for dry and cold climates as well as outdoor use. The sorbents selectively absorb oil and repel water.
On a further note, melt-blown spunbond nonwoven oil sorbents are ultra-light with strong characteristics and resemble polyester. They show high tensile strength & durability whilst having maximum absorption capabilities. Another impact rendering factor for these sorbents is that thicker fluids can diffuse into the spunbond membrane apart from saturating the extremely absorbent melt-blown center layer.
Wide scope across healthcare applications
The demand for nonwoven sorbents across the healthcare sector is anticipated to grow significantly owing to their increasing adoption. These materials are widely used in the creation of smart wound care products to offer controlled vapor transmission, absorbency as well as low skin adhesion. They also induce a moist wound healing environment. Furthermore, the sorbents render protection against dry and wet contact and excellent fluid absorbency & uniformity. They comprise air-borne particles and are abrasion-resistant as well as lint-free.
Potential in personal care
The application of nonwoven sorbents in personal care will record a substantial revenue share in the next few years. This can be attributed to their increasing penetration in products like baby diapers, as well as in feminine hygiene, and adult incontinence. Besides, the sorbents offer superior absorption, strength, softness, smoothness, and uniformity. These materials can be enhanced with the addition of lotions to cater to specific uses.
Innovations to foster product demand
Suppliers of nonwoven sorbents are focusing on inorganic strategies like acquisitions, mergers, and partnerships to sustain competition. They are also keen on novel product developments, innovations, and technological incursions to meet the increasing needs of consumers. For instance, in March 2017, Indian maritime company, NAVTEK introduced a timely solution and incorporated an environmentally friendly and absorbent nonwoven mat for clean-up activities at a spill site.
Mitsubishi Chemicals Holdings Company, Kolon Industries, LG Chem Ltd., W. R. Grace, Honeywell, Calgon Carbon Corporation, and Arkema are some other firms in the business.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic drew a slightly negative impact on the demand and supply of the nonwoven sorbents in the first quarter of the industrial lockdown. However, as all the business activities have now resumed, the industry forecast could gradually garner considerable momentum.