EDANA, the umbrella organization of European Nonwovens manufacturers, drew attention with Nonwovens Production and Deliveries for 2011 report that last year production volume increased in the sector. In 2011, nonwovens production showed an increase by 5.7% in the international market. Of this growth in many markets, baby diapers, medical, disposable wipes, nonwoven products for civil engineering, automotive and agriculture came to the fore.
In 2011 the total deliveries reached the level of 1,897,748 tons and 55,740 million square meters. The 2011 expansion, albeit at a slower pace than the increase of 10.9% observed in 2010, has continued the positive growth of the industry after the hiccup of the recovery year of the economic crisis.
Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, pointed out that positive signs were received on the basis of product range. While spunmelt production recorded successive growths of more than 9% in 2010 and 2011 while thermo-bonded nonwoven production has been quite flat over the last two years. Spunlace, the most important production of the sector, has showed a recovery. More than 25% of the global production was performed in Europe.
A period, in which nonwovens exports of the European Union region increased both in quantity and in value, was recorded. In terms of imports, China increasing by 24%, became the EU’s most important supplier in the 27 nonwovens product heading of the EU.
Providing the contribution of information by creating data and statistics for nonwovens and disposable products for the last 30 years, EDANA has an effective power in determining the direction of the sector. More than 85% of around 100 major nonwovens manufacturers, members of Belgium-Brussels based EDANA, have a similar power in Europe, Middle East, and African markets.
INDA Announces Growth Figures
INDA, the representative of American nonwovens manufacturers, indicated major developments in the statistics for 2011. Rory Holmes, President of INDA, provided the following INDA statistics for 2011 at World of Wipes Conference: Wipes accounted for 292,000 tons (4.7 billion m2) of the 764,000 tons (23.3 billion m2) Limited-Life (disposables) nonwoven market. 38% (111,000 tons) of these were industrial or institutional wipes. The roll-goods value of the industrials was $289 million compared with $465 million for the consumer wipes.
Within the Industrial Wipes sector, 39% of the total area was for healthcare and medical use, 36% for general industrial use, 13% food service and 12% industrial specialty. This equated to 45%, 32%, 12% and 11% of the tonnages of the respective markets. Industrial/institutional wipes were worth $1.3 billion compared with $4.1 billion for consumer wipes. According to INDA, 730 million shop towels were imported in 2010. 74% of these imports were from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Egypt. China’s share of imports was only 1%.
Turkish Nonwovens Industry Grows Rapidly
In the global market, while Europe and America stand out as centers of nonwoven, China and the Asian region have a growing power of production and demand. The data handling Turkey reveals a cautious growth over the years. Turkey in which demand for disposable hygiene products has increased rapidly, production has also increased at the same rate. Compared with just 25 producers in 2010, there were 65 producers of nonwovens in Turkey in the first half of 2012. By the year 2011, Turkish nonwovens production increased to 167,000 tons from 89,000 tons in five years. While the amount of baby diapers in Turkey amounted to 4 billion in 2010, an additional 4 billion export items were produced. This export was mainly to European countries, Iran, Iraq, North African countries and Syria. Turkey is stated to meet 6% of the world consumption.
With about 4.1 million infants in the country, penetration of the market for baby diapers in Turkey amounts to 66%. According to the research, in addition to baby diaper market, there is also growth potential in other segments of hygiene market. Turkey, in which 18 million women live between the ages of 15-42, has a great potential in hygiene products and sanitary napkins of women. The impact of this population to the market is 52%. While Turkish adult diapers market remains low due to low elderly population, investments in this direction are remarkable.
Turkish nonwovens sector, whose capacity and product variety are increasing constantly, is capable of performing export not only to Middle East and North Africa, but also to Europe, Central Asia, and Russia.
