10.19.09
Nonwovens in China: Capitalizing on Growth
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by Karen McIntyre
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rnLike the Chinese dragon, China’s nonwovens industry should be considered a symbol of auspicious power. The tremendous growth being forecast for Chinese disposable goods and other nonwovens-related products has created tremendous opportunities for Western suppliers looking for their next hot market. At the same time, the emergence of Chinese-based equipment suppliers, roll good producers and converters has expanded the size and scope of the nonwovens industry, creating new technologies and markets, which will only benefit nonwovens makers around the globe.
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rnIn 2008, China’s nonwovens industry witnessed a roller coaster-like rise and fall of raw material prices due to changes in currency exchange rates and international oil price fluctuation, affected by the U.S. sub-loan crisis and the impact of the financial crisis. The industry has also been severely challenged by declining exports and decreasing corporate profits. But, with the domestic macro-economy still growing in China, national income is improving and with a series of government-sponsored favorable policies, the nonwovens industry has overcome serious difficulties and has also made new developments at the same time. Production levels have increased substantially. There has been new progress on production technology and equipment.
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rnAccording to the survey statistics, in 2008, nonwovens production in China reached 1.3 million tons, the first time China nonwovens per capita consumption, of 1 kg., exceeded the global average, 0.92 kg. Of China’s total production, spunmelt nonwovens reached 678,000 tons, including 648,500 tons of spunbond nonwovens. Meltblown nonwovens production reached 29,500 tons. The production of needled nonwovens in the drylaid nonwovens category reached 325,000 tons; thermal bonded nonwovens production reached 68,000 tons; chemical bonded nonwovens production reached 89,000 tons and spunlaced nonwovens production reached 112,000 tons. Airlaid nonwovens production reached 50,000 tons. Wetlaid nonwovens production reached 12,000 tons.