Rayon Fibers Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Type (Viscose Rayon, Modal Rayon, Cuprammonium Rayon, Others), Application (Automotive & Transportation, Personal Care, Manufacturing, Textile, Healthcare, Aerospace, and Defence, Others), and Region Forecast 2019-2030

Rayon Fibers Market size was valued at US$ 18,736.2 million in 2023 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2024-2030. Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose-based materials such as trees, bamboo, soy, fruits, and agricultural waste and is used in many different applications, including clothing fabrics in the fashion industry. The developing textile industry owing to characteristics like softness, comfort, wrinkle-free, and luxurious appearance is expected to fuel the demand for the market. The increased demand in the medical textile industry to satisfy the demand for wound dressing, bandages, bedding, surgical gowns cloths, wipes, and hygienic products have created several opportunities for the development of the rayon fiber market. For instance, according to the UN, around 385,000 babies are born every day raising the production demand for rayon diapers owing to high moisture-absorbency and breathability further increased the demand for rayon fiber.

Moreover, the incorporation of various carbon products, such as carbon black, graphite, and activated carbon, to enhance electrical conductivity, as well as the adsorption and lubricating properties of rayon fibers that can be used in industrial textiles, shoe insoles, and seal pumps and fittings, is expected to boost the market growth. But its processing requires high water and energy use, which contribute to air and water pollution hindering the growth of the market. Moreover, the presence of alternatives such as nylon, polyester, or acrylic with better durability and strength also hampers the growth of the market. However, the increased demand for clothes, the developing fashion industry, urbanization, developed infrastructure, and increased disposable income are building the interest in the market and is expected to increase over the forecasted years.

Key Developments

• In December 2019, Lenzing AG, a leading rayon fiber manufacturer, invested around US$ 1,300 Mn in a dissolving wood pulp plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The plant has a total capacity of 500 kilo tons and the wood pulp was further converted into cellulosic fibers which was part of the group’s biobased fibres segment.
• In October 2019, Lenzing AG and Dupont Biomaterials collaborated to launch a new fabric collection made from natural materials. The launch incorporates Dupont’s Sorona fibers and TENCEL (modal & lyocell) fibers from Lenzing. Dupont markets its rayon fibres with the brand name – “Sorona”.