World Nonwovens Industry

• Publication date: December 2011

World demand to rise 6.9% annually through 2015 Global sales of nonwoven fabrics are forecast to increase 6.9 percent annually through 2015 to 9.2 million metric tons. This rate is an acceleration from the 2005-2010 period, reflecting a low base as global recessionary conditions restrained nonwovens fabric demand in 2008 and 2009 before improving somewhat in 2010. Continued growth in global manufacturing and construction activity, as w...

World demand to rise 6.9% annually through 2015
Global sales of nonwoven fabrics are forecast to increase 6.9 percent annually through 2015 to 9.2 million metric tons. This rate is an acceleration from the 2005-2010 period, reflecting a low base as global recessionary conditions restrained nonwovens fabric demand in 2008 and 2009 before improving somewhat in 2010. Continued growth in global manufacturing and construction activity, as well as gains in personal income will promote demand. Product sales will grow faster in area terms, rising 7.3 percent per year to 198 billion square meters, reflecting a modest decrease in average nonwovens weight. This will be due primarily to increased demand in developing areas for a variety of lighter weight disposable nonwoven products, supported by manufacturers’ efforts to make them more affordable and technological advances that are making new generations of nonwoven fabrics lighter. In value terms, sales of nonwovens will expand slower because of a decline in average prices.

Developing areas to be fastest growing markets

Market gains in developing parts of Asia/ Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa/Mideast and Latin America will outpace demand in the US, Western Europe and Japan. Product sales in developing areas will be fueled by above-average economic growth, ongoing industrialization efforts and rising living standards. China alone will account for just over half of additional global volume demand through 2015. Advances are also expected to be healthy in lower-volume markets such as India and Brazil.
Sales of roll goods in developed parts of the world will expand as well. Nonwovens demand in Western Europe will recover from a reduced 2010 base, stimulated by improved economic climates, manufacturing output and consumer spending.

Spunmelt nonwovens to offer best growth prospects

Spunmelt nonwoven fabrics, which passed carded fabrics to account for the single largest share of total demand in 2010, will also post above-average gains through 2015, driven by growth in the use of disposable medical garments and textiles, rising consumption of composite spunbonded/meltblown nonwoven fabrics that combine the performance advantages of each, and greater penetration of markets now served by competitive products. However, demand for airlaid nonwovens is projected to achieve the most rapid growth through the forecast period. Airlaid products are generally less expensive than competitive materials, and suppliers will benefit from increased use in a variety of disposable products..

Personal hygiene to remain largest market

The personal hygiene market -- which includes adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and infant diapers and training pants -- will continue to account for the single largest share of nonwovens demand in 2015. Use of these goods will expand the fastest in developing areas, fueled by growth in the number of women working outside the home and higher standards of living. The construction and filtration product markets for nonwoven fabrics will record the most rapid gains through 2015, promoted by accelerating construction expenditures and an increase in manufacturing activity. The medical/surgical product market for nonwoven fabrics (excluding medical wipes) will also record above-average advances, spurred by an aging world population, continued growth in health care spending, and improved infection prevention safeguards.

Study coverage

World Nonwovens, a new Freedonia industry study, presents historical demand data (2000, 2005, 2010) plus forecasts for 2015 and 2020 by web formation process, market, application, world region and for 19 countries. The study also assesses market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles global players.

Global Fiber Industry

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION xi

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

II. MARKET ENVIRONMENT 4
General 4
World Economic Overview 5
Recent Historical Trends 5
World Economic Outlook 7
World Demographic Trends 11
Population 11
Female Population 13
Population 65 Years & Older 16
Households 17
World Manufacturing Outlook 19
World Health Expenditures 21
World Construction Trends 24
World Textile Fibers Outlook 29
Pricing Patterns 31
Competitive Materials 33
Legal & Regulatory Environment 34

III. OVERVIEW 38
General 38
Regional Overview 39
Demand 41
Production 44
International Trade 47
Demand by Web Formation Process 49
Spunmelt 51
Carded 54
Airlaid 58
Wetlaid 60
Demand by Application 62
Disposables 63
Nondisposables 65
Demand by Market 67
Personal Hygiene 70
Wipes 74
Construction 76
Filtration 79
Medical/Surgical 82
Other 85

IV. NORTH AMERICA 88
General 88
Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 89
Nonwoven Fabric Outlook & Suppliers 92
United States 96
Canada 104
Mexico 109

V. WESTERN EUROPE 117
General 117
Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 118
Nonwoven Fabric Outlook & Suppliers 121
Germany 125
United Kingdom 131
France 137
Italy 142
Spain 149
Netherlands 155
Belgium 160
Other Western Europe 164

VI. ASIA/PACIFIC 170
General 170
Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 171
Nonwoven Fabric Outlook & Suppliers 174
China 178
Japan 187
India 194
South Korea 200
Taiwan 206
Other Asia/Pacific 210

VII. OTHER REGIONS 217
Central & South America 217
Brazil 224
Other Central & South America 229
Eastern Europe 235
Russia 242
Poland 248
Other Eastern Europe 254
Africa/Mideast 258
Turkey 266
Other Africa/Mideast 270

VIII. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE 277
General 277
Industry Composition 278
Market Share 281
Competitive Strategies 286
Research & New Product Development 289
Manufacturing 290
Marketing & Distribution 292
Cooperative Agreements 293
Acquisitions & Divestitures 297

Company Profiles 300
Ahlstrom Corporation 301
Albis SpA 306
Andrew Industries Limited 308
Asahi Kasei Corporation 311
Avgol Limited 313
Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated 315
Bonar Technical Fabrics, see Low & Bonar
Bonar Yarns & Fabrics, see Low & Bonar
British Vita (Lux III) Sàrl 318
Buckeye Technologies Incorporated 321
Chicopee, see Polymer Group
Colbond, see Low & Bonar
Companhia Providencia Industria e Comercio 323
Concert Industries, see Glatfelter (PH)
Coronor Composites, see Fiberweb
DuPont (EI) de Nemours 324
Fibertex Nonwovens A/S 329
Fibertex Personal Care A/S 331
Fiberweb plc 332
First Quality Nonwovens Enterprises Incorporated 338
FitesaFiberweb, see Fiberweb and Petropar
Foss Manufacturing Company LLC 339
Freudenberg & Company KG 341
Georgia-Pacific, see Koch Industries
Geo-Tipptex Ipari es Kereskedelmi Kft, see Low & Bonar
Glatfelter (PH) Company 348
Guangdong Jofo Group Company Limited 349
Hollingsworth & Vose Company 351
Holm (Jacob) & Sons AG 354
Japan Vilene Company Limited 355
Johns Manville, see Berkshire Hathaway
Kimberly-Clark Corporation 358
Koch Industries Incorporated 363
Kureha, see Toyobo
LibeltexBA, see British Vita (Lux III)
Low & Bonar plc 366
Lydall Incorporated 369
Milliken & Company 373
Mitsui Chemicals Incorporated 375
OCV Non-Woven Technologies, see Owens Corning
Owens Corning 377
Pegas Nonwovens SA 379
Petropar SA 382
Polymer Group Incorporated 384
Propex Operating Company LLC 388
Royal Ten Cate NV 390
Sandler AG 393
Shaw Industries Group, see Berkshire Hathaway
Sunrex Industry, see Mitsui Chemicals
Suominen Corporation 395
Tesalca-Texnovo, see Polymer Group
Tharreau Industries, see Fibertex Nonwovens
Toray Industries Incorporated 398
Toyobo Company Limited 400
TWE Group 402
Yuho, see Toyobo
Other Companies Mentioned in Study 404

LIST OF TABLES

SECTION I -- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Summary Table 3

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT
1 World Gross Domestic Product by Region 10
2 World Population by Region 13
3 World Female Population by Region 15
4 World Population 65 Years & Older by Region 17
5 World Households by Region 19
6 World Manufacturing Value Added by Region 21
7 World Health Expenditures by Region 24
8 World Construction Expenditures by Type & Region 28
9 World Textile Fiber Demand by Region 30

SECTION III -- OVERVIEW
1 World Nonwoven Fabric Market Environment 40
2 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Region 43
3 World Nonwoven Fabric Production by Region 46
4 World Nonwoven Fabric Net Exports by Region 48
5 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process 50
6 World Spunmelt Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Region 54
7 World Carded Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Region 58
8 World Airlaid Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Region 60
9 World Wetlaid Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Region 62
10 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Application 63
11 World Demand for Nonwoven Fabrics Used in Disposable Applications by Region 65
12 World Demand for Nonwoven Fabrics Used in Nondisposable Applications by Region 67
13 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Market 69
14 World Personal Hygiene Market for Nonwoven Fabrics by Region 73
15 World Wipes Market for Nonwoven Fabrics by Region 76
16 World Construction Market for Nonwoven Fabrics by Region 79
17 World Filtration Market for Nonwoven Fabrics by Region 82
18 World Medical/Surgical Market for Nonwoven Fabrics by Region 84
19 World Demand for Nonwoven Fabrics in Other Markets by Region 87

SECTION IV -- NORTH AMERICA
1 North America -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 91
2 North America -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 95
3 United States -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 99
4 United States -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 103
5 Canada -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 106
6 Canada -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 109
7 Mexico -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 113
8 Mexico -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 116

SECTION V -- WESTERN EUROPE
1 Western Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 120
2 Western Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 124
3 Germany -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 128
4 Germany -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 131
5 United Kingdom -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 134
6 United Kingdom -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 136
7 France -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 139
8 France -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 142
9 Italy -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 146
10 Italy -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 149
11 Spain -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 152
12 Spain -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 154
13 Netherlands -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 157
14 Netherlands -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 159
15 Belgium -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 162
16 Belgium -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 164
17 Other Western Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 167
18 Other Western Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 169

SECTION VI -- ASIA/PACIFIC
1 Asia/Pacific -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 173
2 Asia/Pacific -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 177
3 China -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 182
4 China -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 186
5 Japan -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 190
6 Japan -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 193
7 India -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 197
8 India -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 200
9 South Korea -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 203
10 South Korea -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 205
11 Taiwan -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 208
12 Taiwan -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 210
13 Other Asia/Pacific -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 213
14 Other Asia/Pacific -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web
Formation Process & Market 216

SECTION VII -- OTHER REGIONS
1 Central & South America -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 220
2 Central & South America -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 223
3 Brazil -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 226
4 Brazil -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 229
5 Other Central & South America -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 232
6 Other Central & South America -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 235
7 Eastern Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 238
8 Eastern Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, Application & Market 241
9 Russia -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 245
10 Russia -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 248
11 Poland -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 251
12 Poland -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 253
13 Other Eastern Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 256
14 Other Eastern Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 258
15 Africa/Mideast -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 262
16 Africa/Mideast -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web
Formation Process, Application & Market 265
17 Turkey -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 268
18 Turkey -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 270
19 Other Africa/Mideast -- Nonwoven Fabric Supply & Demand 273
20 Other Africa/Mideast -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process & Market 276

SECTION VIII -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
1 Nonwoven Fabric Sales for Selected Manufacturers, 2010 280
2 Selected Cooperative Agreements 295
3 Selected Acquisitions & Divestitures 298

LIST OF CHARTS


SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT
1 World Textile Fiber Demand by Region, 2010 31

SECTION III -- OVERVIEW
1 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Region, 2010 44
2 World Nonwoven Fabric Production by Region, 2010 47
3 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Web Formation Process, 2010 50
4 World Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Market, 2010 69

SECTION IV -- NORTH AMERICA
1 North America -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Country, 2010 92

SECTION V -- WESTERN EUROPE
1 Western Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Country,
2010 121

SECTION VI -- ASIA/PACIFIC
1 Asia/Pacific -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Country, 2010 174

SECTION VII -- OTHER REGIONS
1 Eastern Europe -- Nonwoven Fabric Demand by Country, 2010 239

SECTION VIII -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
1 World Nonwoven Fabric Market Share by Company, 2010 282