Sheet Mask Substrate Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Sheet Mask Substrate Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 1.44 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.97 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 5.36%. This market is characterized by the manufacture and distribution of essential carrier materials, such as nonwoven cotton, hydrogel, and biocellulose, which are engineered to efficiently deliver active skincare compounds. Growth in this sector is underpinned by a sustained consumer preference for convenient at-home beauty treatments and a growing industrial requirement for biodegradable and sustainable fiber options, establishing a stable trajectory independent of fleeting cosmetic trends.

However, a major obstacle hindering wider market advancement is the environmental concern regarding single-use synthetic waste, which adds complexity to supply chain compliance for manufacturers. In terms of raw material accessibility, the China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association reported that the production of spunlaced nonwovens hit 1.67 million tons in 2024, marking an 8.1 percent annual rise. This increase in output underscores the strong industrial capability that supports the supply chain for sheet mask substrates.

Market Drivers

The accelerating transition toward eco-friendly and biodegradable materials is fundamentally altering the production strategy within the sheet mask substrate industry. As environmental oversight grows, manufacturers are increasingly moving away from synthetic polymers to adopt compostable fibers such as bio-cellulose, bamboo, and lyocell, thereby aligning with regulations like the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. This shift requires nonwoven suppliers to reconfigure production lines for natural fibers that maintain wet strength, a trend reflected in the EDANA 'Statistics Report on Nonwovens Production and Deliveries for 2024' from March 2025, which noted a 4.8 percent increase in nonwovens delivery for personal care wipes, highlighting consumer demand for sustainable wet-application products.

Additionally, the rising global influence of Korean beauty regimens remains a central force driving substrate innovation and volume growth. This trend has normalized the daily application of sheet masks, converting them from luxury treats to essential items and spurring demand for high-performance materials like ultra-thin cotton and hydrogel. The global reach of this phenomenon benefits substrate manufacturers significantly, as evidenced by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, January 2025, which reported that South Korea's cosmetic exports hit a record USD 10.2 billion in 2024. Further emphasizing the dominance of masks, the Korea Customs Service noted that skincare products specifically comprised USD 7.67 billion of this export total.

Market Challenges

The environmental focus on single-use synthetic waste presents a significant hurdle to the advancement of the Global Sheet Mask Substrate Market. This issue impedes growth by establishing a complicated regulatory environment that manufacturers must manage, often reducing operational speed and scalability. As authorities implement stricter disposal rules, companies are compelled to reallocate resources from innovation to compliance, complicating logistics for those dependent on traditional synthetic fibers who risk penalties or market exclusion for failing to meet new sustainability benchmarks.

The massive scale of industrial output exacerbates this scrutiny, making the shift to compliant materials a protracted endeavor. The extent of the sector's environmental footprint is illustrated by recent production figures; according to the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, nonwovens production in the Greater Europe region totaled 2,976,400 tonnes in 2024. This substantial volume of largely disposable material explains why regulatory bodies are increasingly targeting this market and placing constraints on its unregulated growth.

Market Trends

The incorporation of functional ingredients directly into substrate matrices is changing sheet mask fabrics from passive carriers into active treatment elements. Producers are increasingly embedding bioactive components, such as Vitamin C, algae, or charcoal, into the fiber structure during extrusion to ensure controlled release and improve the stability of volatile ingredients. This evolution meets the demand for multi-functional skincare, a move towards high-value specialized materials that is financially validated by Ahlstrom, February 2025, in the 'Financial Statements Release 2024', which reported a record comparable EBITDA margin of 15.2 percent, reflecting the success of functionalized fiber technologies.

Concurrently, dry and water-activated sheet mask formats are becoming more popular as a solution to stability issues found in pre-soaked versions. These substrates contain dormant actives that activate upon hydration, preserving the potency of unstable ingredients while removing the need for heavy preservatives and reducing shipping weight. Supporting the production of the specialized composite and airlaid fabrics needed for these applications, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), May 2025, reported in the 'North American Nonwovens Supply Report' that the region's nonwovens capacity grew to 5.730 million tonnes in 2024.

Key Players Profiled in the Sheet Mask Substrate Market

• Alliqua BioMedical, Inc.
• Shanghai GUI Zhi International Trading Co. and Ltd.
• TAIKI GROUP
• Bel Mondo Beauty
• Biocrown Biotechnology Co. Ltd.
• Denex International
• Fitesa S.A.
• Intracosmed AG
• KATECHO, INC.
• Nox Bellow Cosmetics

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Sheet Mask Substrate Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Sheet Mask Substrate Market, by Substrate Type:

• Nonwoven
• Cotton
• Hydrogel
• Bio Cellulose

Sheet Mask Substrate Market, by Gender:

• Male
• Female

Sheet Mask Substrate Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

Sheet Mask Substrate Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Sheet Mask Substrate Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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