Republic of Korea: Nonwoven Fabric Market 2025

Nonwoven Fabric Market Size in Republic of Korea

The South Korean nonwoven fabric market rose rapidly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -9.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Nonwoven Fabric Production in Republic of Korea

In value terms, nonwoven fabric production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 87% against the previous year. Nonwoven fabric production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Nonwoven Fabric Exports

Exports from Republic of Korea

In 2022, overseas shipments of nonwoven fabrics decreased by -13% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, exports recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, nonwoven fabric exports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons), the United States (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of nonwoven fabric exports from South Korea, with a combined 68% share of total exports. Kuwait, Vietnam, Indonesia, Peru, Mexico and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +18.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for nonwoven fabric exported from South Korea were the United States ($X), Japan ($X) and China ($X), together comprising 61% of total exports. Vietnam, Kuwait, Indonesia, Peru, Mexico and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Among the main countries of destination, Kuwait, with a CAGR of +20.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average nonwoven fabric export price amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 11%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Taiwan (Chinese) (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Nonwoven Fabric Imports

Imports into Republic of Korea

In 2022, imports of nonwoven fabrics into South Korea shrank slightly to X tons, waning by -4.7% compared with the previous year. In general, imports, however, recorded strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, nonwoven fabric imports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -18.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 27%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) was the main supplier of nonwoven fabric to South Korea, accounting for a 102% share of total imports. Moreover, nonwoven fabric imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Japan (X tons), more than tenfold. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +15.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+11.0% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+0.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of nonwoven fabrics to South Korea, comprising 92% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +12.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+4.0% per year) and the United States (-2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average nonwoven fabric import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 7.8%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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