Top 10 Companies in the Hydrophilic Nonwoven Industry (2025): Market Leaders Advancing Healthcare & Hygiene Solutions

In Business Insights
August 20, 2025

The Global Hydrophilic Nonwoven Market was valued at USD 6.85 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 10.22 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This expansion is fueled by increasing demand for medical textiles, hygiene products, and advanced filtration solutions, along with innovations in sustainable material technologies.

As healthcare standards rise globally and consumers prioritize eco-friendly disposable products, hydrophilic nonwovens are becoming essential across multiple sectors. This blog profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Hydrophilic Nonwoven Industry—pioneers developing high-performance materials that combine exceptional absorbency, comfort, and environmental responsibility.


🔟 1. Toray Industries, Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Nanofiber-based hydrophilic nonwovens

Toray leads the market with its proprietary nanofiber technology, producing ultra-thin yet highly absorbent nonwovens for medical and hygiene applications. Their materials feature precise pore control for bacterial filtration while maintaining breathability.

Innovation Highlights:

  • 40,000 tons annual production capacity in Japan and China
  • 50 patents in hydrophilic surface modification
  • Medical-grade materials used by 70% of Japanese hospitals

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Hydrophilic Nonwoven Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Berry Global Group, Inc.

Headquarters: Evansville, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Healthcare-grade hydrophilic nonwovens

Berry Global dominates North America’s medical nonwoven segment, supplying 75% of U.S. healthcare facilities with sterilization wraps and surgical drapes featuring their proprietary barrier technologies.

Innovation Highlights:

  • First FDA-cleared nonwoven for implant device packaging
  • 30% recycled content across product lines
  • Zero manufacturing waste initiative

8️⃣ 3. Freudenberg Performance Materials

Headquarters: Weinheim, Germany
Key Offering: Evolon® microfiber technology

Freudenberg’s patented spunlace process creates microfiber nonwovens with 3x the absorbency of conventional materials. Their products are preferred for premium wound care and cosmetic applications.

Innovation Highlights:

  • First Cradle-to-Cradle Certified® nonwovens
  • 0.5 second liquid absorption technology
  • 15 global production facilities

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Hydrophilic Nonwoven Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Ahlstrom-Munksjö

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Medical barrier fabrics

This Finnish-Swedish leader produces advanced composites combining hydrophilic topsheets with hydrophobic barriers, offering both comfort and protection in surgical applications.

Innovation Highlights:

  • 80% bio-based content target by 2025
  • Fluidshield® technology repels contaminants
  • 10% annual R&D growth

6️⃣ 5. Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Hygiene product nonwovens

Kimberly-Clark’s proprietary technologies power leading brands including Huggies® and Kotex®, with materials engineered for rapid liquid absorption and skin comfort.

Innovation Highlights:

  • $150M annual investment in sustainability R&D
  • Patented 3D absorption channels
  • 25% energy reduction since 2020

5️⃣ 6. Glatfelter

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Airlaid absorbent cores

Glatfelter’s binder-free technology creates ultra-absorbent materials without latex, ideal for incontinence and feminine hygiene products requiring 15x liquid retention.

Innovation Highlights:

  • 100% cellulose-based solutions
  • FDA food contact approval
  • Carbon neutral production by 2025

4️⃣ 7. Suominen Corporation

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Antimicrobial nonwovens

Suominen’s BioWeb® technology integrates silver-ion antimicrobial treatments that reduce bacterial growth by 99.9% in wound care applications while maintaining superior absorbency.

Innovation Highlights:

  • 0.3 second liquid strike-through
  • EU medical device certified
  • 40% renewable energy usage

3️⃣ 8. PFNonwovens

Headquarters: Znojmo, Czech Republic
Key Offering: Hydroentangled wipes

PFN’s European facilities produce premium cosmetic and medical wipes with exacting fiber composition control for customized absorbency and softness profiles.

Innovation Highlights:

  • 30 gsm ultrathin nonwovens
  • 100% REACH-compliant materials
  • Closed-loop water recycling

Get Full Report Here: Global Hydrophilic Nonwoven Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Fitesa

Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Key Offering: Biodegradable nonwovens

Latin America’s largest producer specializes in PLA-based materials that compost within 90 days without performance compromise, serving the eco-conscious hygiene market.

Innovation Highlights:

  • First industrial-scale PLA production
  • 50% reduced carbon footprint
  • Full compostability certification

1️⃣ 10. Asahi Kasei Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Bemliese® cellulose nonwovens

Asahi Kasei’s solvent-spun cellulose technology delivers 400% liquid uptake with complete biodegradability, preferred for sensitive skin applications in medical and cosmetic sectors.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Chemical-free hydrophilic treatment
  • 3,000+ material patents
  • Zero microplastic emissions

Get Full Report Here: Global Hydrophilic Nonwoven Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🧪 Outlook: The Next Generation of Hydrophilic Nonwovens

The hydrophilic nonwoven sector is undergoing transformative changes as sustainability and smart functionality become industry imperatives.

📈 Key Market Transformations:

  • Bio-based polymers replacing petroleum-derived materials
  • Integrated diagnostic sensors in medical nonwovens
  • Nanofiber-enhanced superabsorbent technologies
  • AI-driven production optimization
  • Circular economy material recovery systems

Get Full Report Here: Global Hydrophilic Nonwoven Market – View in Detailed Research Report

These industry leaders are not simply manufacturing materials—they’re creating the foundation for healthier, more sustainable living through advanced nonwoven technologies.