Global technical textiles business update, 3rd quarter 2008

19 pages, published in Issue 74, 3rd quarter 2008   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

The global technical textiles business has been characterised by a number of developments since mid-2008. Brookhouse Holdings, a manufacturer of composite aerostructures was taken over by Kaman Aerospace Group while One Equity Partners acquired the Professional Wound Care Business of Ethicon.

New products include PermaStatic from Nanogate, which uses the company?s patented N_charge technology to store electric charges on different underlying media. Meanwhile, Indo Poly will employ NanoHorizons? SmartSilver additives in Indo Poly?s Ambs Pro and Ambs Active lines.

In business news, the UK?s National Health Service (NHS) is inviting medical and diagnostic equipment companies to find new solutions in the fight against healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). Ahlstrom is reducing the production of wound roving at its plant in Karhula while Fiberweb has added two global business units to its structure, namely Consumer Fabrics and Airlaid. Kermel, a producer of high performance fibres and fabrics, has been awarded a contract to supply camouflage fabrics to the French Army. Lenzing, a world leader in cellulosic staple fibres, and Weyerhaeuser, one of the world?s largest forestry companies, have agreed to cooperate on developing a lyocell nonwovens technology. Diolen Industrial Fibers has raised the prices of all its products, while Lenzing has raised the prices of some of its products. The University of Tennessee Nonwovens Research Laboratory (UTNRL) has been formed, while Toray has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that the company conspired to fix prices of carbon fibre for US aircraft, ammunition and satellites.

In financial news, Lenzing has posted improved sales and profits, but the global fibres business is showing signs of weakening. In investment news, Ahlstrom has inaugurated a glass fibre tissue facility in Russia. Meanwhile, Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has begun to expand in Mexico but has shut its US facility. New joint ventures include a plan by Teijin, Toray and Mitsubishi Rayon to cooperate in the mass production of recycled carbon fibre. Collectively, the three companies hold a 70% share of the global carbon fibre market.

In the market for nonwovens, output in ?Greater Europe? grew by 7.3% in 2007 to reach 1.65 mn tons while in Germany the first ever Advanced Textiles conference has been held in Berlin

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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.