Issue
74:
3rd quarter 2008
Product Overview
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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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an editorial think-piece on a topical issue from an industry expert