Global technical textiles business update, 1st quarter 2007

20 pages, published in Issue 68, 1st quarter 2007   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

The first quarter of 2007 was a busy period in global markets for technical textiles. Ahlstrom signed agreements to acquire Orlandi?s spunlace nonwovens business in Italy and Fabriano Filter Media?a maker of microglass filter media. DSM Dyneema acquired Switzerland-based Pamako. Also, it won a legal battle after alleging that China?s Hangzhou Pivot International had infringed patents covering its ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) Dyneema fibre. Danish investment company LD Equity took complete ownership of Jacob Holm & Sons STA. The latter owns Norafin, which manufactures technical and speciality nonwovens. It also owns Tytex, which produces medical textiles for global healthcare companies. Meanwhile, Whitestone took over Humanicare and created a US leader in adult incontinence care products.

In business news, Edana is concerned that anti-dumping duties on polyester staple fibres are causing problems for European nonwovens producers. Nonwovens manufacturer Fibertex is exploring the potential of nanocoatings and Smith & Nephew plans to be the exclusive distributor of UDL Laboratories? Biobrane Biosynthetic Wound Dressing outside the USA. Nanopeutics and HemCon Medical Technologies have agreed to develop nano-scale nonwovens with chitosan for the US Military. Tyco healthcare will be renamed Covidien before separating from its parent company. And a consortium backed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the UK will develop textiles made from bioactive glass nanofibres for medical applications.

In investment news, Ahlstrom will spend Euro5 mn (US$7 mn) on a new dry-laid nonwovens line at its facility in Groesbeck, Texas, USA. PGI will invest in a new technology to make ?an entirely new category of high performance, cost effective engineered materials? for wipes and other uses. d3o lab?which makes the smart material d3o?has completed a multi-million pound round of fund raising initiatives to fuel international growth and commercial expansion. Meanwhile, Milliken has invested in a new microbiology laboratory at its Technical Centre in Gent in Belgium.

Research by Freedonia Group predicts that US demand for geosynthetics will rise by 4.4% a year to 2010, reaching 796 mn m2(870 mn yd2), while demand for coated fabrics will increase by 3.2% a year to 569 mn m2. Demand for wipes, on the other hand, will grow by 6.1% a year to US$2.2 bn in 2011.

Global Technical Textiles Business Update

Summary
Acquisitions
Business News
Investment
Joint Ventures
Markets

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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.
Technical Textile Markets is available on subscription ? either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 4 printed publications a year. Each issue contains five research-based reports (see above) and an editorial.
Electronic supplement If you choose the printed and electronic option, you will receive an extra service. You will still receive each issue in printed format, delivered to you by traditional post. In addition, you will be able to download PDF files containing the same information ? but the PDF files will be available immediately on publication, so you don?t have to wait for the printing and mailing. You also have all the benefits of electronic files: instant access even when you are away from the office; convenient storage in your PC or laptop; portability; electronic search facility; and copy/paste facility. You will also receive a monthly update of business news, called "Technical Textiles Business Update" delivered to you by email, free of charge.
Technical textiles are used in a wide range of end-use applications and markets, including agricultural; automotive; building/ construction/ engineering; medical and hygiene; packaging; protective clothing; sports and sportswear; and transport. A subscription to Technical Textile Markets will support your decision making, and provide the information you need to expand into new markets.