The world nonwovens industry: part 1 -- the leading ten producers, 3rd quarter 2008

63 pages, published in Issue 74, 3rd quarter 2008   Report price: Euro 690.00; US$ 910.00

Worldwide sales of nonwoven roll goods continued to grow at midsingle digit rates in 2007 to almost US$17 bn. Sales of the world?s leading ten companies ranged from US$250 mn to US$1.45 bn and totalled about US$8.9 bn. All except Fiberweb and DuPont increased their sales.

Freudenberg remained the number one player, although poor economic conditions have forced the company to close operations serving the automotive market and improve efficiencies at others. In 2008 it launched a new product range in the USA made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) polymer obtained from polyester (PET) bottles, and has plans to develop its Evolon microfilament spunlaced fabric. DuPont Nonwovens? sales were steady thanks to a focus on brands, technology and added value, and investment in Eastern Europe, South America and Asia. A Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) line has been installed in South Korea, and Tyvek capacity has been expanded in Luxembourg and the USA. Kimberly-Clark?s Partnership Products business achieved double digit sales growth in 2007 thanks to market recovery and geographical expansion. The company will benefit from an improvement plan and fast growth in emerging markets in BRICIT (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Indonesia and Turkey) countries. Ahlstrom?s nonwovens business also achieved double digit sales growth in 2007 as the company benefited from acquisitions and other investments. Sales will benefit from new capacity for the food packaging and embroidery backing sectors although some closures were announced in January 2009. Sales at Polymer Group Inc (PGI) have been boosted by new spunmelt capacity in Argentina, Mexico and China, and by success with its new generation Spinlace nonwovens. Also, PGI has unveiled a new brand identity. At Fiberweb, sales have fallen as businesses have been exited or divested. But more competitive capacity has been added in China and Italy, and joint ventures have been formed to make spunbonds and Terram geotextiles in China and India respectively. Johns Manville has benefited from new products and international expansion, notably in Central and Eastern Europe and China. At Fibertex, investments in the personal care and technical divisions have borne fruit and new lines have been added in the Czech Republic and Denmark. Buckeye Technologies, a world leader in air-laid nonwovens, has grown by innovating and maintaining low cost operations. First Quality Nonwovens, a maker of spunmelt nonwovens for hygiene and medical, has entered the diaper market.

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• The world nonwovens industry: part 3 -- ten smaller producers, 1st quarter 2008, (1st quarter 2008)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 3 -- 20 medium sized producers, 1st quarter 2008, (4th quarter 2007)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 1 -- the leading ten producers, 3rd quarter 2007, (3rd quarter 2007)

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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