• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Applications
    • Technology
    • Market
    • Other
    • Top 40
    • Buyers Guide
    • Hygiene Directory
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Applications
  • Technology
  • Market
  • Other
  • Top 40
  • Buyers Guide
  • Hygiene Directory
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Four Trends Shaping the Future of Nonwoven Wipe Demand

    Regulations Round Up

    It Takes a Village to Make a Wet Wipe

    Wipes and the Modern World

    2018 COMPANY CAPABILITIES
    Company Cameo
    Financial News
    Machinery Equipment
    New Products
    Nonwovens News
    Patent Review
    People in the News
    Supplier News
    Top News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    INDA Announces WOW Award Finalists

    P&G Sets New Environmental Sustainability Goals

    Drylock Expands European Production

    Artist Uses Evolon for Painting Large-Format Works

    Albaad Expands U.S. Operations
    Absorbent Core
    Adult Incontinence
    Antimicrobials
    Apparel
    Automotive and Transportation
    Chemicals / Adhesives
    Construction
    Contract Services
    Diaper, Baby
    Electronics
    Feminine Hygiene
    Fibers
    Filtration
    Flame Retardance
    Geotextile / Agrotextile
    Home Products
    Hygiene Film/Components
    Industrial / Institutional
    Inspection / Quality Control
    Machinery and Equipment
    Medical
    Wipes

    Drylock Technologies Invests in Europe

    INDA Announces WOW Award Finalists

    Drylock Expands European Production

    Four Trends Shaping the Future of Nonwoven Wipe Demand

    Regulations Round Up
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Phantom Veil Offers Molded Composites for Home and Building Structures

    Moldow, Dan-Web Install Airlaid Line in U.S.

    Freudenberg Far Eastern Spunweb Expands in Taiwan

    TFP's Optiveil Used in Hockey Sticks

    U.S. Cotton Adds Spunlace Manufacturing
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Drylock Technologies Invests in Europe

    INDA Announces WOW Award Finalists

    Drylock Expands European Production

    Albaad Expands U.S. Operations

    Unicharm: First Asia, Then The World
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    INDA Announces WOW Award Finalists

    P&G Sets New Environmental Sustainability Goals

    Drylock Expands European Production

    Albaad Expands U.S. Operations

    Guilt-Free Diapers
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Don & Low Ltd. Nonwovens
    Brands
    Brand Owners
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Add Your Company
    • Applications
      • Absorbent Core
      • Adult Incontinence
      • Antimicrobials
      • Apparel
      • Automotive and Transportation
      • Chemicals / Adhesives
      • Construction
      • Contract Services
      • Diaper, Baby
      • Electronics
      • Feminine Hygiene
      • Fibers
      • Filtration
      • Flame Retardance
      • Geotextile / Agrotextile
      • Home Products
      • Hygiene Film/Components
      • Industrial / Institutional
      • Inspection / Quality Control
      • Machinery and Equipment
      • Medical
      • Wipes
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
    • Market
      • China
      • Eastern Europe/Russia
      • India
      • Middle East/North Africa
      • North America
      • Pacific Rim
      • South/Central America
      • Turkey
      • Western Europe
    • Other
      • Associations
      • Contracts / Awards
      • Education
      • Facilities / Capacity
      • Green / Sustainability
      • Legal / Regulatory
      • Market Data
      • Mergers and Acquisitions
      • Product Improvement / Innovation
      • R&D/Basic Research
      • Shows / Events
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Jobs
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Capitol Comments

    Roll Goods Import/Export Data on Healthy Track

    Congress launches miscellaneous tariff bill process; growing surge in plastic bag restrictions creates opportunities for reusable bags.

    Jessica Franken, director of government affairs & Dawnee Giammittorio, associate director of government affairs, INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry05.07.12
    The 2011 trade statistics recently released by the US government show that the annual export volume of nonwoven roll goods (categorized under Harmonized Tariff Schedule heading 5603) declined slightly to 290.9 million kilograms from a record high of 301.7 million in 2010, a decrease of 3.6% (see Table 1). The record-setting volume in 2010 was attributed to a surge in trade overall as the world recovered from the “Great Recession.” Despite the decline from last year, the volume for 2011 was greater than levels in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (the lowest level in the last five years), so while the record levels of 2010 may not be sustainable, it appears the trend is heading in the right direction.

    Even though volume was down in 2011, the value of exported roll goods saw a modest increase—up 8 percent from $1.54 billion in 2010 to $1.67 billion (see Table 2).

    The data for roll goods imported to the US followed a similar pattern, showing a minor decrease in volume, from a high of 194.1 million kilograms in 2010 to 190.9 million kilograms for 2011, and a slight uptick in the value of imported goods, from $846 million in 2010 up to $905 million for 2011. Again the volume and value for goods imported to the US was greater than the lowest levels seen during the worst part of the global recession.

    Import/Export Markets

    As Table 3 shows, just less than half (46 percent) of US roll goods exports remained in the US-North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) territory during 2011. This is a modest increase from 2010, but too insignificant to forecast as a trend toward the 2002 levels of 60%.  

    As Table 4 shows, Canada and Mexico continue as the top two destinations for US nonwoven roll goods, but trade with China also remains strong. Although the volume exported to China was down from 2010, China stays at number three on the list of top trade destinations. As expected after the natural disasters last year, exports to Japan declined after showing a sharp increase in 2010. 

    Trade with partners in our hemisphere showed some marked increases, with Colombia appearing in the top 10 with an increase of 91% over last year. Exports to Honduras and the Dominican Republic also made gains over last year’s figures.

    As far as imports, China continues to be, by a wide margin, the largest importer of roll goods to the US. Meanwhile, India again made huge strides in the US market, increasing its volume by 77% this year after a 138% increase in 2010.

    While the numbers are not quite as dazzling as last year’s, the 2011 data hopefully indicate a trajectory of steady growth after the lows of 2009 and the rebound highs of 2010. The increased volumes to Colombia, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are especially encouraging, particularly in light of the Obama Administration’s recent focus on expanded hemispheric trade as a means to grow the economy.

    Congress Launches Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Process—Hurry Up and Wait

    The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee announced the official commencement of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process March 30, giving interested parties until April 30 to request bills that continue duty suspensions on scarce imported components.

    INDA and other textile associations coordinated with lawmakers to ensure that bills providing tariff relief for imports of viscose rayon staple fibers were introduced by the deadline. After individual MTBs are introduced they will undergo a vetting process that includes posting for public comment and a review by various federal agencies to confirm they meet two key criteria: (1) they are non-controversial, meaning no competing domestic production; and (2) the tariff revenue that the US government foregoes as a result of the duty suspension does not exceed $500,000. If the lost tariff revenue exceeds the $500,000 threshold, then the government may choose to offer a tariff reduction instead of a duty suspension.

    Unfortunately, the duty suspension import data is not publicly available, which makes it difficult to predict what a potential reduction might be. All individual bills that make it through the vetting process are then aggregated into a single omnibus measure, which Congress must pass.

    As INDA members surely recall, the last tariff bill was delayed for months by partisan squabbling, preventing companies from accessing much-needed duty relief for imports of rayon and other products during that time. After significant pressure from industry groups, including INDA, lawmakers eventually approved the bill and President Obama signed it into law in August 2010, restoring benefits until the end of 2012. Hopefully, the process has been initiated early enough this time around to avoid any lapses in duty relief, but if it appears that might not be the case then INDA will engage its members to put pressure on Congressional lawmakers.

    If you have any questions, contact Jessica Franken, INDA director of government affairs, at jfranken@inda.org.

    Plastic Bag Restrictions Present Opportunity for Reusable Bag Manufacturers

    A recent surge in jurisdictions restricting the use of plastic bags could present many opportunities for INDA members who make reusable bags. Notwithstanding strong opposition from the plastics industry, at least 20 jurisdictions passed regulations in 2011 that restricted plastic bag use, with many more localities across the nation currently considering such laws. 

    San Francisco, CA, started its initiative in 2007 and nearly 40 more cities have followed its lead, including Washington, DC, Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Austin, TX. Statewide restrictions have been introduced in legislatures as well, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

    The various restrictions have typically taken one of three forms: bag bans that restrict retailers from providing any disposable bags at checkout; bag fees that require customers to pay for their bags, usually between 5 and 10 cents, with a portion of that revenue going to the government; and bag charges that force customers to pay for the bags, but with retailers keeping the proceeds.

    An industry group of plastic manufacturers, the American Plastic Bag Alliance, has argued the bans will result in significant job and economic loss to the localities. While the group has produced studies forecasting results supporting their claim, a spokesperson from Washington, DC, says the city has not seen a loss of 100 jobs as the plastic group study predicted.

    There are several websites tracking the development of plastic bag laws.

    Bag the Ban: A project of Hilex Poly, an industry-leading manufacturer of recycled content high density polyethylene (HDPE) bags, films and related product: www.bagtheban.com/in-your-state/.

    Retail Bag Report: Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection’s interactive map tracking bag activity: www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/retailbags/pages/map_USA.htm.
    Related Searches
    • retailers
    • associations
    • films
    • government
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Green/Sustainability
    • South/Central America
    • Associations

    Related Capitol Comments

    • Legal/Regulatory

      FDA Seeks Comment on Labeling Requirements for Nonwoven Medical Devices

      Agency seeking knowledge on whether new regulations are a burden.
      Peter G. Mayberry 02.02.18

    • Legal/Regulatory | North America
      Commerce Secretary Outlines Trump Administration Policies of Interest to the Nonwovens Industry

      Commerce Secretary Outlines Trump Administration Policies of Interest to the Nonwovens Industry

      Ross discusses NAFTA renegotiation, U.S. trade relations and domestic workforce issues.
      Peter G. Mayberry 10.09.17

    • Legal/Regulatory
      Data Show U.S. Imported More Nonwoven Roll Goods Last Year than it Exported

      Data Show U.S. Imported More Nonwoven Roll Goods Last Year than it Exported

      USITC reports that U.S. exports have fallen roughly 4%
      Peter G. Mayberry 09.11.17


    • Legal/Regulatory

      With U.S. Withdrawal from TPP, Japan and Europe embark on “Colossal Trade Deal”

      World nations race to fill void in international trade issues left by exit
      Peter G. Mayberry 07.31.17

    • Legal/Regulatory | North America

      USTR Outlines Goals for NAFTA Renegotiation and Calls for Public Comment

      Any change to trade deal could have major implications for nonwovens industry.
      Peter G. Mayberry, Contributing Editor 07.10.17

    • Legal/Regulatory

      White House Issues Executive Orders on Trade Agreement Violations and New Office for Trade and Manuf

      Trump administration is better poised to identify trade abuse than its predecessors.
      Peter G. Mayberry, Contributing Editor 05.31.17


    • Legal/Regulatory | North America | Wipes

      DC Approves Flushable/Non-Flushable Labeling Requirements for Consumer Nonwovens

      If approved, bill will be first of its kind in the U.S.
      Peter G. Mayberry 01.02.17

    • Legal/Regulatory

      Recent Action on EPA Emission Standards for Industrial Boilers

      25,000 existing facilities could be affected by change.
      Peter G. Mayberry 11.07.16

    • Apparel | Fibers | Pacific Rim

      New Report Assesses Impacts of TPP Implementation on the U.S. Economy

      Trade agreement bodes well for nonwovens, would reduce tariffs on exports to Vietnam and Japan
      Peter Mayberry, Contributing Editor 07.15.16


    • Fibers | Filtration | India | Wipes

      White House Issues Executive Order to Promote Competition in the U.S. Market

      Spirit of competition in nonwovens was alive at 2016 IDEA show.
      Peter G. Mayberry, Contributing Editor 06.09.16

    • Fibers | Legal/Regulatory

      Residential Insulation Under Review at the Federal Trade Commission:

      Public Comments on FTC’s R-Value Rule Now Being Accepted
      Peter Mayberry, contributing editor 05.13.16

    • Apparel | Education | Legal/Regulatory | Medical | North America

      FDA Issues Guidance Document on Gowns Used in Healthcare Settings

      Webinar will provide both manufacturers and users of terms used to describe the protective availability of gowns
      Peter Mayberry, contributor 01.05.16

    • Antimicrobials | Feminine Hygiene | Legal/Regulatory

      FDA Guidance Eases Regulatory Burdens on Certain Nonwovens

      surgical gowns, adult diapers, fem hy pads are among the nonwovens impacted by measure
      Peter Mayberry, contributing editor 10.13.15

    • India | Market Data | North America
      Export/Import Data Indicate Healthy Markets for U.S. Nonwovens

      Export/Import Data Indicate Healthy Markets for U.S. Nonwovens

      ITC date shows that 2010-2014 were strong years for U.S. nonwovens exports
      Peter Mayberry, contributing editor 09.09.15

    • Construction | Legal/Regulatory | North America

      NIOSH Calls for Innovation in Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers

      Can nonwovens come to the rescue?
      Peter Mayberry, contributing editor 08.03.15

    Breaking News
    • Nominations Open for Hygienix Innovation Award
    • Ahlstrom-Munksjö Reports Q1 Gains
    • Ahlstrom-Munksjö Makes Changes to Executive Management Team
    • ITMA ASIA + CITME 2018 Expecting Strong Turnout
    • Ahlstrom-Munksjö Makes European Investments
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    Household and Personal Care Wipes Spring 2018

    • Four Trends Shaping the Future of Nonwoven Wipe Demand
    • Regulations Round Up
    • It Takes a Village to Make a Wet Wipe
    • Wipes and the Modern World
    • View More >


    Copyright © 2018 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.