Editorial: A new era of compromise for global manufacturers of glass fibre and fabric

Continuous filament glass fibre accounts for as much as 88% of the fibre used for reinforcing composites in terms of tonnage, and has several advantages over carbon fibre as it is less brittle, less stiff and made from cheaper raw materials. Furthermore, there is much scope for new uses of glass fibre reinforced composites in the transportation sector, as well as in residential and commercial buildings and filter media. As such, major manufacturers of glass fibres and fabrics in Western Europe and the USA have expanded their capacities as demand has increased – despite growing competition from China. At the same time, some manufacturers have chosen to compromise by forging joint ventures with Chinese companies in order to remain competitive and gain access to the Chinese market. In the other direction, Chinese companies have set up operations outside China in order to gain access to Western markets. In this report, Robin Anson analyses the impact of expansions, joint ventures and foreign investment on the business strategies of some of the leading providers of glass fibre products, with particular reference to the USA-based companies Johns Manville and Owens Corning and the China-based company Jushi Group.

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Four times a year, Technical Textile Markets provides an overview of the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for technical textiles, and is essential reading for senior executives in (or supplying) the man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile sectors ? as well as for those who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis, but who need an authoritative source which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies which are actively involved in this fast-growing sector.
Reports in Technical Textile Markets include:
	company and country profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others, in terms of production, sourcing, import/export, infrastructure and development, and plans for the future.
	profiles of the world's top 40 producers of nonwovens ? updated each year with details of developments from each of the leading producers, including acquisitions, investments and divestments, and analyses of trends which the "rising stars" are using to their advantage.
	statistical reports ? including consumption data, by fibre and end-use applications. Regular updates are published for fibre consumption in Japan, the rest of Asia, the USA, and Western Europe.
	market sector information ? analyses of important commercial end-user applications, and profiles of both established and emerging markets which take into account such innovations and developments as nanotechnology and intelligent textiles.
	regular updates on innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery ? including developments in the following categories: fibres and yarns; technical textile fabrics for industrial applications; machinery; technical textiles for apparel; composites; other technical textile products; and technical textile treatments and finishes.
	reports on new technological developments and other topical issues ? with clear, authoritative comments on their economic and commercial significance. The reports bring to your attention the key issues which you can use to develop your business, and provides contact details of useful organisations.
So whether you are involved in man-made fibres, nonwovens or technical textiles ? in manufacturing, converting, import/export, or end use ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance ? a subscription to Technical Textile Markets will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
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