It is expected that the growth trend in the nonwoven sector, which continued even in the crisis period, will continue also in the upcoming period. The sector is expected to have reached 9,2 million meters tons of production with an increase of 6,9 percent by 2015. In 2007, 5,77 million tons of production was recorded by the global sector. It is stated that this figure can be achieved easily as the demand for nonwovens, which was stagnant during the crisis period between 2008-2009, started to increase after 2010 depending on the other developments within the sector. China, which is one of the world’s greatest nonwoven manufacturers, performed 1,8 million tons of production in 2011. China is followed by America and the European region in nonwoven production.
American continent is one of the most important points of nonwoven sector, which has increased its sales as a result of the developments in various fields especially in hygiene and the technical applications. America, which stands out with both its nonwoven production and consumption, is more organized and equipped than most of the regions in the glabal market and IDNA is considered to be an important factor in shaping this market. In other words the Nonwoven Fabrics Association, called INDA, has become America’s top association in the sector as a result of its continuous growth since 1968. The manufacturers are constantly expanding their capacities in parallel with the increase of the dominance of the nonwoven products, which are used in various fields such as apparel, sports, defense, agriculture, automotive, hygiene, medical, jeo applications, disposable products, filters etc., in the American market. Rory Holmes, President of INDA, made special statements to Textil Dünyası about the current issues of the American nonwoven sector.
Holmes, who made no comments on the sector’s machine parks and investments, stated that the manufacturers perform production both for the domestic market and the exports. Holmes said that the North American nonwoven industry performs 1,6 million tons of production each year and that it serves to 12 different market segments. Holmes also remarked that all segments of the sector record more than 6 billion Dollars and that the sector exports 20 percent of its production each year. Holmes underlined that the nonwoven industry continued its growth in the North America. “More and more nonwoven facilities are established and more employment is created each year. We believe in free trade. For that reason, I believe that we can compete anywhere across the world if we can reach the global market and the world market price,” said Holmes.
Holmes stated most of the nonwoven manufacturers in America are located at the east of Mississippi River and the production capacity has reached significant levels in Texas while production is carried out also in the central and western provinces. About the production on the basis of regions Holmes said; “The Eastern region is the largest slice in the nonwoven production in the USA. The original textile industry takes place in New Englamd and in the South. I think that these companies will achieve a growth in the nonwoven sector and they will remain in the same regions.”
Automotive Gets Affacted Badly, Construction Overcomes
Rory Holmes stated that, during the global crisis affecting the whole world in 2009, some fields of the American nonwoven sector, such as geotextiles, construction and automotive, were badly affected by the economic stagnation. Holmes remarked that the construction sector has only recently begun to heal itself. Holmes gave information about the automotive sector by saying; “The automotive sector is turbulent for the time being. Several statements, supporting this argument, have been made by some of the auto assembly facilities of the USA. As it is known, there are more than 40 nonwoven applications in each car. This equals 35 kg of nonwoven per car. Besides the amount of the nonwoven used, increases in parallel with the developments that take place in technology.”
Education and Information Support by INDA for the Sector
Rory Holmes underlined that INDA is beyond an association in which sectoral organizations come together, and that with conferences, trade shows, statistical reports and training courses, it guides the sector. “I believe our Training Courses and Statistical Reports are the best in the industry. Our members trust us with their manufacturing volumes. Ian Butler, our Director of Market Research, has spread sheets that track almost every manufacturing line in the world. We are able to perform what needs to be done about the sector as quickly as possible,” said Holmes.
Holmes remarked that INDA represents the whole value chain within the nonwoven industry that performs production for 12 different fields. Holmes added that the member companies operates in all segments including supplying raw materials and equipments, producing nonwoven products (roll goods) and converting them into products along with end product. Holmes stated that they have almost 300 members and that staffs including consultants, universities and other associations.
Holmes stated that nearyly 15 percent of their members are from outside of the North America and some of their members have headquarters in Europe and in other regions and have satellite plants in the USA. Holmes remarked that very few companies from Turkey take place among these companies that are counted as international companies. He also emphasized that they would be glad to include Turkish manufacturers in their list. Holmes finished by saying; “We have over 100 years of working experience in the nonwoven fabrics industry. With this experience of ours, in addition to the best and most accurate knowledge about our sector, we offer solutions to the problems and issues of our members.”
IDEA Has a Global Power
Rory Holmes gave information about IDEA (International Engineered Fabrics Conference and Expo), which is organized by INDA and which one of the world’s greatest events on nonwovens and technical textiles. Holmes said that IDEA brings together in one place and at one time the entire nonwovens industry from around the world. “The 3 days, during which the event is held, are the most important period for that year. In 2010, 400 participants from 65 countries took part in IDEA 2010. Almost 50 percent of these participants were from outside of America,” said Holmes.
As it can be remembered, IDEA10 passed into history by achieving a successful edition and hosting 5,500 professionals despite the stagnant economic atmosphere created by the global crisis in 2009. Textil Dünyası was the only Turkish sectoral publication that participated in this fair. IDEA13, which will be held on April 23-25 2013, will again bring the global sector together at Miami Beach Convention Center.
Countdown has Begun in CAB 2012
Converting and Bonding Conference (CAB), another important organized by INDA, will be held on April 17-19, 2012 in Greenville. The conference topics include; the latest coating applications used in ultrasonic, coating, lamination, water jet and laser technologies; new market opportunities and applications in the fields of medical, military, alternative energy, automobile, geotextiles, construction/building, protective barriers etc.; New capabilities in converting; Needlepunch machine technologies; bonding and converting courses; innovations in thermal and other types of bonding technologies; Latest developments in public works and sustainable raw materials; carrying the network connections to the highest point.
Filtration 2011 International Conference and Exposition, was another event organized by INDA. The attendance to the event held on November 15-17, 2011 in Chicago, increased by 20 percent compared to the previous year. The event hosted 132 participants from 16 countries and 20 percent of them took part for the first time in this event. Filtration 2012 will be held on November 13-15, 2012.
Vision 2012 Conference, held by INDA on January 23-26 2012, is one of the events followed closely by the sector. The topics of the conference include; Health Care Reform and Global Aging and Sustainability.
