The world nonwovens industry: part 1 -- the leading ten producers, 3rd quarter 2007

67 pages, published in Issue 70, 3rd quarter 2007   Report price: Euro 690.00; US$ 910.00

Worldwide sales of nonwoven roll goods continued to grow at midsingle digit rates in 2006 to exceed US$16 bn. Sales of the world’s leading ten companies in 2006 ranged from US$229 mn to US$1.4 bn and totalled about US$8.3 bn. Nine of the ten increased their sales.

The exception was Fiberweb, whose sales decreased after the company had closed some plants in North America but the company continues to invest for the future. Freudenberg remained the number one player, helped by double digit growth in Latin America and success with MicronAir automotive interior filters. DuPont Nonwovens’ sales held up thanks to a focus on brands, technology and added value—especially in Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America and Asia. A new Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) line in South Korea should also pay off. Kimberly-Clark will benefit from an improvement plan and a focus on high growth emerging markets in BRICIT (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Indonesia and Turkey) countries.

Sales and earnings at Polymer Group Inc (PGI) were boosted by investment in spunmelt facilities in North America, Latin America and China. New technologies should also result in growth in the future. Ahlstrom continues to grow through acquisition and expansion. Most recently, investment has centred on filtration and wipes applications. Johns Manville has benefited from a boom in global construction and expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. New products should help future growth. Buckeye Technologies has maintained its position through innovation and a focus on low cost operations. Sales in the wipes segment are at an all-time high. Propex Fabrics, a newcomer in the top ten, continues to sell its needlepunched nonwovens in a number of key segments. Avgol Nonwovens, another newcomer, is investing in spunmelt nonwovens and has new lines planned for North Carolina, USA, and Russia.

The World Nonwovens Industry: Part 1—The Leading Ten Producers

• Summary
• Introduction
• Freudenberg, Germany
• DuPont Nonwovens, USA
• Kimberly-Clark, USA
• Fiberweb, UK
• Polymer Group Inc (PGI), USA
• Ahlstrom, Finland
• Johns Manville, USA
• Buckeye Technologies, USA
• Propex Fabrics, USA
• Avgol, Israel

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• Profiles of Five Fast Growing Nonwovens Producers, (2nd quarter 2007)
• Huntsman Textile Effects: Prospects Under New Ownership, (2nd quarter 2007)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 3 -- ten smaller producers, 1st quarter 2007, (1st quarter 2007)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 3 -- 20 medium sized producers, 1st quarter 2007, (4th quarter 2006)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 1 -- the leading ten producers, 3rd quarter 2006, (3rd quarter 2006)

Technical Textile Markets provides intelligence, analysis and insight on the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries.

What's in it? Each issue contains data and expert analysis on key industry topics, including: automotive technical textiles; biopolymers; chemical protective textiles; circularity; composites; e-textiles; environmental sustainability; filter media; flame resistant fabrics; glass fibre; graphene; Industry 4.0; insulation; medical textiles; military textiles; nonwoven specialities; personal protective equipment (PPE); synthetic fibre; and wearable technology. A single issue of Technical Textile Markets includes: an editorial think-piece on a topical issue from an industry expert a report on the latest product developments and innovations a profile of the world's top producers of nonwovens a main feature on a new or established market a round-up of the latest business news statistical data and analysis of fibre and fabric production in a key geographical market An annual subscription to Technical Textile Markets is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries. Subscriptions are available in printed and/or digital formats. Printed and digital subscribers receive each issue in printed format in addition to a digital PDF file, which is available immediately on publication. Subscribers also receive a complementary digital subscription to Technical Textiles Business Update, delivered directly by email once a month. This free supplement contains essential information on business news and the latest product developments. Like all Textiles Intelligence publications, Technical Textile Markets is a reliable source of independently sourced business information, and it does not carry advertising. This is what our customers say: "I always appreciate your efforts to publish one of the best textile-related journals all the time." (Alliedsignal, Polymers SBU, Richmond VA USA)