PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1916553
PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1916553
The global viscose staple fiber (VSF) market plays a crucial role in the textile, apparel, healthcare, and automotive industries due to its softness, comfort, absorbency, and sustainable profile. According to the report-year data, the viscose staple fiber market size was valued at USD 27.37 billion in 2025. The market value increased to USD 28.92 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 44.95 billion by 2034, supported by rising demand for sustainable textiles and increasing adoption across multiple end-use industries. Asia Pacific dominated the global market with an 83% market share in 2025, driven by large-scale manufacturing in China and India. In addition, the U.S. viscose staple fiber market is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 1.6 billion by 2034, supported by sustainability initiatives and increasing demand from automotive and textile applications.
Viscose staple fiber is a regenerated cellulose fiber produced from natural raw materials such as wood pulp or cotton linter. Its excellent drapability, breathability, moisture absorption, and comfort make it widely used in clothing, home textiles, and consumer goods. The automotive industry also utilizes VSF-based textiles for carpets, interior trims, headliners, composite reinforcement, and exterior textile parts. Growing preference for eco-friendly and biodegradable materials continues to strengthen the market outlook.
Market Impact and Trends
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the viscose staple fiber market due to reduced demand for formal apparel, supply chain disruptions, and raw material shortages. The widespread adoption of work-from-home practices led to lower spending on fashion and non-essential clothing. Production costs were impacted due to logistical challenges, slowing short-term market growth.
A key trend shaping the market is the adoption of recycling and circularity in the fashion industry. The transition toward a circular economy emphasizes closed-loop production systems where viscose fibers are recycled and reused. Recycled viscose is produced by breaking down old fabrics and spinning the recovered fibers into new yarns, reducing waste and environmental impact. Increasing collaboration between manufacturers, recyclers, and fashion brands is accelerating innovation in recycling technologies and sustainable production methods.
Market Growth Factors
Rising Demand from Fashion and Apparel Industry
The fashion and apparel sector remains the largest driver of VSF demand. Viscose staple fiber is widely used as a substitute for cotton and polyester due to its affordability, comfort, and eco-friendly nature. The fiber is commonly used in suits, jackets, sportswear, ties, and casual apparel. Rising disposable income, evolving fashion trends, and increasing consumer awareness regarding sustainable clothing are driving adoption. The availability of VSF in large volumes and its cost-effectiveness further strengthen its position among textile manufacturers.
Expanding Use in Healthcare Sector
VSF is increasingly adopted in medical textiles due to its high absorbency, softness, and low impurity content. It is widely used in non-woven products such as surgical dressings, hospital gauze, bandages, sanitary napkins, baby diapers, and hygiene products. Improving healthcare standards in developing economies and growth in the Meditech industry are expected to create strong opportunities for the market.
Restraining Factors
Despite its sustainability image, the production process of viscose staple fiber raises environmental concerns. VSF manufacturing is energy-intensive and involves significant water consumption, chemical usage, and potential deforestation due to reliance on wood pulp sourced from forests. Fossil fuel usage during production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. These environmental challenges may restrain market growth unless mitigated through responsible sourcing, renewable energy adoption, and cleaner production technologies.
By Type
The market is segmented into high wet modulus fiber, strong fiber, modified fiber, and others. The strong fiber segment dominated with a 44.85% market share in 2026, driven by its widespread use as a cost-effective alternative to cotton in apparel, medical, and industrial applications. Modified fibers are expected to grow rapidly due to rising demand for reinforced fabrics, while high wet modulus fibers are preferred for knitted garments and undergarments due to superior wash performance.
By Application
By application, the market includes woven, non-woven, and specialty segments. The woven segment led with a 64.87% market share in 2026, supported by demand for lightweight, durable, and cost-effective fabrics. Non-woven fabrics are gaining traction due to enhanced resilience, hygiene properties, and functional customization.
By End-Use Industry
The textile apparel segment accounted for 61.17% of the market share in 2026, driven by high demand for soft, breathable, and affordable garments. Healthcare and automotive segments also contribute significantly through medical textiles and automotive interior applications.
Asia Pacific led the market with USD 23.89 billion in 2026, supported by strong manufacturing capacity in China and India. North America reached USD 1.98 billion in 2026, driven by automotive textiles and sustainability initiatives. Europe recorded USD 1.86 billion in 2026, supported by advanced automotive manufacturing and strong fashion industries. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging regions, supported by population growth, rising purchasing power, and industrial expansion.
Competitive Landscape
The viscose staple fiber market is highly competitive, with key players focusing on sustainability, capacity expansion, and innovation. Major companies include Grasim Industries Limited, LENZING Group, Sateri Holdings Limited, Kelheim Fibers GmbH, and Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co., Ltd.. These companies emphasize circular production, wastewater reduction, renewable energy usage, and development of branded specialty fibers.
Report Coverage
The viscose staple fiber market report provides a comprehensive assessment of market size and market value for 2025, 2026, and 2034, covering market trends, growth drivers, restraints, segmentation, regional performance, competitive landscape, and key industry developments, strictly aligned with the specified report years and source data.
Conclusion
The viscose staple fiber market demonstrates steady expansion across the report years 2025, 2026, and 2034, supported by its strong presence in textile apparel, healthcare, and automotive applications. Growth is primarily driven by rising demand for sustainable, cost-effective, and comfortable fibers, especially within the fashion and medical textile sectors. Asia Pacific continues to dominate the global landscape due to its large manufacturing base and high consumption, while North America and Europe show stable growth supported by sustainability initiatives and advanced industrial applications. Although environmental challenges linked to production processes remain a restraint, ongoing investments in circular economy practices, recycling technologies, and cleaner manufacturing methods are expected to support long-term market development in line with evolving regulatory and consumer expectations.
Segmentation By Type
By Application
By End-Use Industry
By Region