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Global nonwoven output touches record high

07 Aug '12

2 min read

With a number of market segments posting their best ever output, both in terms of tonnage and square metres, global nonwovens production volumes grew by 5.7 percent during 2011, EDANA, the Brussels, Belgium-based International Association Serving the Nonwovens and Related Industries notes.

According to EDANA's public summary report on “Nonwovens Production and Deliveries for 2011”, total production for the year touched 1,897,748 tons and 55,740 million square metres.

The segments which delivered record outputs include medical, personal care wipes, baby diapers, automotive, civil engineering and agriculture.

Internationally, Greater Europe contributed about 25 percent of the overall output for the year.

Though production grew at a sluggish pace during 2011, as compared to 10.9 percent growth rate achieved during 2010, the industry has still been able to retain the its positive track amid global economic crisis.

According to EDANA, every production process has its own specific trends, which varies in accordance with performance of the market segments. Like for instance, spunmelt production registered over nine percent growth both in 2010 and 2011.

Meanwhile, in the fibre-based products, while production of nonwovens has remained almost flat over past couple of years, spunlace production recovered at the fastest pace, to become the most vital drylaid output.

Although EU trade inflows and outflows are still limited as compared to domestic production, its nonwoven exports, both in terms of value as well as volumes, have never before touched the levels as at present.

EU's nonwoven imports from China grew by 24 percent during last year, which made China a key supplier of nonwovens to the EU. However, in every sub-segment of nonwovens, the 27 EU member nations remained net exporter of products.

Technical Textiles News Desk - India