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The World Nonwovens Industry: Profiles of Ten Leading Producers, 1 of 3, 2010/11
Textiles Intelligence, Nov 2010, Pages: 65
Sales generated by the global nonwovens industry were worth US$16 bn in 2009. Of this figure, sales by the leading 40 producers were valued at US$12.4 bn, representing over 75% of the total. However, this figure was down from US$13.6 bn in the previous year. Among the top ten players, sales ranged individually from US$247 mn to US$1.25 bn and total sales amounted to US$7.9 bn. Many of the key players—including Ahlstrom, DuPont, Fiberweb, Freudenberg, Kimberly-Clark and Polymer Group Inc (PGI)—reported lower sales in 2009 due to the global economic recession and falling raw material prices. Freudenberg remained the number one player despite a drop in sales caused by poor economic conditions.
In response the company has exited from some underperforming businesses, such as commodity hygiene, and shut down a number of lines. However, its post-consumer recycled business (PCR) is doing well and many key businesses have seen a turnaround. Sales by DuPont Nonwovens dropped due to negative conditions in some core businesses—notably construction. DuPont Nonwovens has been combined with DuPont’s Advanced Fiber Systems and Personal Protection units to form DuPont Protection Technologies. Also, the company is building a new facility to make Energain nanofibre-based polymeric battery separators. Kimberly-Clark’s Partnership Products business benefited in 2009 from market recovery and geographical expansion, and should gain from an improvement plan and fast growth in emerging markets in BRICIT countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Indonesia and Turkey). Ahlstrom’s nonwovens business also faces challenges but it purchased Shandong Puri Filter & Paper Products, a Chinese specialist in transportation filtration media, and opened a medical fabrics facility in India. Polymer Group Inc (PGI) was acquired in September 2010 by Blackstone Capital Partners after suffering falling sales in 2009.
At Fiberweb a turnaround programme is driving up profits. The company has joined with Brazil’s Fitesa to re-enter the North American spunmelt market with a new investment in the USA and has agreed to form a joint venture with Japan’s Chisso Corporation to establish a spunmelt operation in China. Johns Manville has benefited from new products and international expansion, notably in China and in Central and Eastern Europe. Glatfelter has entered the top ten after buying Concert Industries’ wet-laid nonwovens business and combining it with its own air-laid operation. The company’s personal care division has continued to thrive but the industrial side of the business is still awaiting recovery. TWE Group is expanding its operations in China and Germany while sales of airlaid nonwovens by Buckeye Technologies increased slightly in 2009.
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The World Nonwovens Industry: Profiles of 20 Leading Producers--part 2 of 3, 2010/11
The World Nonwovens Industry: 20 Medium Sized Producers - part 2 of 3, 2010/11
The World Nonwovens Industry: Ten Smaller Producers—part 3 of 3 2010/11
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