• 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
    Southeast Asia Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    2022 Machinery & Equipment Review

    Airlaid Technology Makes Natural Fiber-Based Bottle Caps a Reality

    Medical Nonwovens Update

    Fiber Manufacturers Respond to Change

    Household Wipes Market: Sustainability in Focus
    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
    Because Market Expands into Retail Stores

    Babyganics Introduces Triple Dry Diapers

    Weekly Recap: Essity Switches to Recyclable Packs for Feminine Pads, FTC Sues PPE Maker on False Origin Claims & More

    Freudenberg to Present Friction Inserts for Wind Energy

    Essity Switches to Recyclable Packs for Feminine Pads
    Nonwovens Insights
    Online Exclusives
    Adult Incontinence
    Absorbent Core
    Antimicrobials
    Apparel
    Automotive and Transportation
    Face Masks
    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

    Because Market Expands into Retail Stores

    Babyganics Introduces Triple Dry Diapers

    Weekly Recap: Essity Switches to Recyclable Packs for Feminine Pads, FTC Sues PPE Maker on False Origin Claims & More

    Essity Switches to Recyclable Packs for Feminine Pads

    Weekly Recap: A New Day for Hygiene, Glatfelter Reports Q2 Results & More
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunbond/Spunmelt
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Sinaatec To Add Two Nonwovens Lines in Algeria

    Kansan Offers Wetlaid Nonwovens Lines

    Suominen Introduces Biolace Silva for Baby Wipes

    Trützschler, Texnology Partner to Make Needlepunch Nonwovens Lines

    Smithers Releases Report on the Global Nonwoven Wipes Market
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Sinaatec To Add Two Nonwovens Lines in Algeria

    Ontex Opens Manufacturing Plant in North Carolina

    Freedonia Group Releases Wipes Study

    Right Hygiene Conference Held in New Delhi

    Sub-Saharan Africa’s Specialist Nonwovens and Fibers Capability is Growing Steadily
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Flushability
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    INDA Announces Full Program for Hygienix Conference

    Sinaatec To Add Two Nonwovens Lines in Algeria

    Ontex Opens Manufacturing Plant in North Carolina

    Freedonia Group Releases Wipes Study

    Ontex Climate Action Targets Approved by Science-Based Targets Initiative
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Valco Melton

    Schott & Meissner Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH

    WEIMA America, Inc.

    Investkonsult Sweden AB

    Alliance Machine and Engraving
    Brands
    Brand Owners
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • Southeast Asia 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
      • Face Masks
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
      • Spunbond/Spunmelt
    • 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
      • Flushability
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    Needlepunch Market Update

    Strength in core markets has led to global investments.

    Related CONTENT
    • Fibertex Personal Care
    • Freudenberg
    • What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com
    • Confidence Infrastructure Invests in Two Needlepunch Geotextile Fabric Lines
    • Precision Textiles to Open NC Manufacturing Facility
    Tara Olivo, associate editor02.03.16
    The needlepunch market is on a path of growth, and global players in the market are optimistic about the future. According to recent estimates released by EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, needlepunch was among the processes that showed the strongest growth in Europe in 2014. Figures show that the needlepunch bonding process grew by 9.1% in tons from 2013 to 2014. Further, a key market for needlepunch, automotives, had a banner year in 2015, with automakers selling a record 17.5 million cars and light trucks in the U.S.

    Alex Alexis, business unit manager at Texel, a Canadian producer of technical fabrics, says overall business is extraordinarily high, and the company is seeing strong demand in automotives, geotextiles and building. Due to the strong demand in automotive for needlepunch material—for filtration, headliners, seating, wheel well liners and trunk liners—manufacturers are installing lines, he says. “Some of us are dropping other businesses in order to fulfill the automotive market.”

    Acoustical materials for automotives and furniture are also key markets for Texel. The company’s Thermofit needlepunch technology used in vehicles allows customers to create acoustical parts that are 40%-50% lighter than parts made with extruded plastics. For the office furniture industry, Alexis says new designs for wall partitions, wall coverings and wall tiles are incorporating needlepunch technology in order to enhance sound dampening in the work environment.

    “It is well known that needlepunch with the right density offers great properties for the acoustics, due to the fibrous structure that allows absorbing and dissipating the sound,” Alexis explains.

    Texel most recently purchased a new needlepunch line from DiloGroup in 2014, and since much of the output of this line is being occupied, Alexis reveals the company might be looking to invest again sometime in the upcoming years.


    Machinery investments in needlepunch continue worldwide.
    (Photo: Autefa Solutions)
    Growth in needlepunch, and specifically the automotives market, has also been recognized by the Thrace Group. George Papagiannis, sales & marketing manager, Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics, says needlepunch appears to be growing the fastest in this sector. “The benefits of needlepunch in moldable sound absorption applications, visual floor carpets, and many other areas has more of this fabric going into new car models every year.”

    Geotextiles is another key market where Thrace is seeing needlepunch displace other textile technologies. “In the geotextile marketplace, needlepunch nonwoven products continue to be produced at higher tensile strengths at lower weights using the advancements in equipment and processes. This, combined with high flow rates, is enabling needlepunch products to take market share from woven geosynthetics.”

    Based on the growing market of needled products, Thrace Group recently invested in a new line serving the automotive, industrial, bedding and geotextile markets. The line is expected to be operational during the second quarter of this year.

    Other Investments Around the Globe
    J.P. Dilo, general manager, DiloGroup, a manufacturer of needlelooms and complete lines, is optimistic about the rate of investment in needlepunch equipment. He expects his company to supply 15-20 complete lines annually to the various segments of the nonwovens and needlepunch industry including individual machines for modernizing the technology, from fiber preparation through web forming and needling.

    Jean-Philippe Dumon, sales director of Andritz Asselin-Thibeau, a supplier of complete solutions for needlepunch technology, adds, “We have noticed that nonwovens producers are investing in new equipment in order to respond to the increasing demands of nonwovens users in the market.” In addition to new lines, Andritz can also upgrade a customer’s existing equipment with its ProDyn system, which allows raw material savings and ensures a better web profile, while its IsoProDyn system helps to further improve the product quality for light fabrics.

    As a result of its technological advancements, Andritz attracted a new buyer in a country where it had yet to supply a needlepunch line. Autotech Nonwovens, which makes nonwovens for the automotives market in India, recently ordered a complete needlepunch line from Andritz Asselin-Thibeau. It is the first complete needlepunch line to be supplied by Andritz to India, and is the first integrated, single-source needlepunch line investment purchased in Europe by an Indian company in more than seven years, according to Indian sources. Start-up of the line and personnel training are scheduled for mid-2016.

    “With the proposed expansion of a new Andritz nonwovens line and its peripheral equipment, we aim to be the ‘one stop shop’ of nonwovens for the automotive industry,” says Ankit Desai, director, Autotech Nonwovens. “With the new line we will focus more deeply within the automotive segment to offer the entire gamut of NVH and interiors solutions to OEMs in India.” Desai adds the company will also expand business development efforts into other products and geographies for filtration, coating substrates and geotextile applications.

    Meanwhile, Fibertex Nonwovens of Aalborg, Denmark, has also capitalized on growth in needlepunch and its key markets by making recent investments in South Africa and the Czech Republic. The company also entered the North American market early last year through the acquisition of NonWoven Solutions, a maker of needlepunch nonwovens.

    Last year the company increased its ownership interest in Fibertex South Africa, co-founded in 2010 and jointly owned by Fibertex Nonwovens, The Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) and the South African company Safyr, from 26% to 74.2% by purchasing the 48.2% Safyr shares, effective March 1, 2015. The transaction included the investment in a second state-of-the-art needlepunch production line, and the simultaneous purchase of the Safyr fiber line, along with additional land and buildings. The IFU kept its ownership interest of 25.8% and invested accordingly.

    According to Fibertex, the transaction will create an important platform for the future development of Fibertex Nonwovens in Africa. This is a strategic initiative and Group CEO Jorgen Bech Madsen sees huge potential in having local production in South Africa. Fibertex South Africa has experienced significantly increased demand not only for products for the growing South African automotive industry and infrastructure programs, but also for industrial applications.

    Fibertex also added a new needlepunch production line in the Czech Republic last year. Madsen says the new line will target lightweight needlepunch products for automotive, construction and industrial applications.

    Needlepunch materials are used in many automotive-related applications.


    Meanwhile, Sandler, which has been producing needlepunch fabrics for more than 50 years, most recently made an investment in this market in 2013 when it purchased a state-of-the-art production line that employs both needlepunching and air-through bonding technologies. Gerhard Klier, sales director technical products at Sandler, says a wide range of nonwoven roll goods and panels for a number of applications are produced on this line, by using either of the manufacturing technologies or a combination of both. When Sandler began producing needlepunch nonwovens over a half-century ago, they were primarily used in cleaning cloth applications, but today the company has been focused on producing the materials for automotive applications and as insulation materials for interior acoustics.

    Supplier Point of View
    According to André Imhof, CEO, Autefa Solutions, which produces needle looms and their components based on the technology and experience of the former company Fehrer, Linz, Austria, the major advantage of needlepunch technology versus other web forming technologies such as spunbond or other bonding technologies like spunlace is the broad application base in which needlepunch technology can be used.

    Autefa’s Sylus needle loom with Variliptic drive vastly expands the possible fields of application, Imhof explains. “This technology is at its most effective where the nonwoven structure, the fibers’ staple length and low weights or higher speeds require it. When processing lightweight nonwovens, by needling of spunbonds and processing fragile fibers or glass or carbon fibers, the strain on the fibers is reduced considerably. The needles no longer stop the web during the needling process. They accompany the web movement and even help to transport it.” He adds that this benefit becomes particularly noticeable in the start-up phase, where the web can travel through the needle loom alone without the need for a support web to carry it. “Where weights are higher or compaction is greater, the amount by which the needles are deflected by the material being pulled through the delivery is reduced significantly. This increases the service life of the needles and virtually eliminates the risk of needle breakage.”

    One of the companies that is continuously refining the technology of needles is Groz-Beckert, a leading provider of industrial needles, precision components and fine tools as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textile surfaces. Within the needlepunch sector, Groz-Beckert produces different kinds of felting and structuring needles.

    “To fulfill the high requirements of the most diverse applications – e.g. surface quality, bending and breaking resistance, tear strength, uniformity, minimal damage to fibers and carrier material, corrosion and long service life – Groz-Beckert offers felting needles with different working part geometries, different barb shapes, materials and coatings,” according to company executives.

    Among these is the newly developed felting needle Twisted with twisted working part, which is especially suitable for the production of articles that require high tear forces, the company says. Groz-Beckert’s EcoStar felting needle features an entirely new development in working-part geometry, which can be used in almost all applications where good surface appearance is required. Further, the company’s Gebecon needles offer the ideal combination of good end product surface quality plus the best possible resistance to bending strength.


    Andritz' NeXline technology features a number of new features.
    For its part, Andritz has developed a number of new features and technologies for its neXline range of needlepunch machinery. Among these is D.630, a new high-speed dynamic crosslapper that enables an increase of needlepunch production line capacity, reaching an infeed speed of up to 200 m/min, and a new Zeta felt drafting solution that ensures enhanced fabric dimensional stability and extra production capacity, just to name a few.

    “Customers are always asking for more productive needlepunching lines by increasing the throughput and the speed,” Andritz’s Dumon says. “At the same time it is essential to decrease maintenance costs and downtimes.”

    Also offering a wide range of innovative technology is DiloGroup. “Any needling technology is offered from our complete machine program in any working width, for any punching mode, for a working width range from 0.6 to 16 meters of working width, with any needle densities ranging from several hundred needles/m/board up to over 20,000 needles/m/board including machines for intensive needling for very high stitching densities up to several thousand stitches/cm²,” says Dilo.

    At ITMA 2015 in Milan, Italy, the company launched its latest technologies to the market. “Lately we are introducing a modular technology for needles with up to 22 needles per needle module with new needle patterns for homogeneous stitching patterns over a long range of advances per stroke including new technologies for web forming, carding and crosslapping and fiber preparation,” Dilo says.
    Related Searches
    • air-through
    • Headliners
    • fibers
    • Automotive
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Filtration
    • Construction
    • Fibers
    Suggested For You
    Fibertex Personal Care Fibertex Personal Care
    Freudenberg Freudenberg
    What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com
    Confidence Infrastructure Invests in Two Needlepunch Geotextile Fabric Lines Confidence Infrastructure Invests in Two Needlepunch Geotextile Fabric Lines
    Precision Textiles to Open NC Manufacturing Facility Precision Textiles to Open NC Manufacturing Facility
    Andritz to Exhibit Nonwovens Production Technologies at Techtextil Russia Andritz to Exhibit Nonwovens Production Technologies at Techtextil Russia
    2021 Machinery & Equipment Review 2021 Machinery & Equipment Review
    What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com
    Autoneum Develops Latex-Free Needlepunch Carpets Autoneum Develops Latex-Free Needlepunch Carpets
    INDA Launches Updated Nonwoven Material Sampler INDA Launches Updated Nonwoven Material Sampler
    FOR SALE FOR SALE
    DiloGroup to Showcase Range of Machinery at ITMA Asia DiloGroup to Showcase Range of Machinery at ITMA Asia
    Fibertex Nonwovens A/S Fibertex Nonwovens A/S
    Andritz to Supply Elliptical Cylinder Pre-Needler in France Andritz to Supply Elliptical Cylinder Pre-Needler in France
    What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com

    Related Buyers Guide Companies

    • Fibertex Personal Care

      ...
      Elsebeth Lykkegaard, Communication Director 05.09.22

    • Freudenberg

      Freudenberg

      ...
      08.31.21

    • What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com

      What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com

      The most-viewed news on our site in August
      08.31.21


    • Geotextile/Agrotextile

      Confidence Infrastructure Invests in Two Needlepunch Geotextile Fabric Lines

      Lines will cater to increasing demand of geotextiles in Bangladesh and international markets
      08.26.21

    • Facilities/Capacity | Home Products | Needlepunch | North America
      Precision Textiles to Open NC Manufacturing Facility

      Precision Textiles to Open NC Manufacturing Facility

      Company will double its needlepunch nonwovens production
      08.17.21

    Loading, Please Wait..
    Trending
    • Babyganics Introduces Triple Dry Diapers
    • Daio Paper Acquires Pet Care Products Manufacturer
    • Monadnock Earns EcoVadis Gold Rating
    • Tranzonic Acquired By Private Investment Firm
    • What Are The Types Of Nonwovens?
    Breaking News
    • Because Market Expands into Retail Stores
    • Tranzonic Acquired by Private Investment Firm
    • Monadnock Earns EcoVadis Gold Rating
    • Suominen Announces Price Surcharges
    • Babyganics Introduces Triple Dry Diapers
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    August 2022

    • 2022 Machinery & Equipment Review
    • Airlaid Makes Natural Fiber-Based Bottle Caps a Reality
    • Medical Nonwovens Update
    • View More >



    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    BASF Venture Capital and Aqua-Spark invest in Sea6 Energy
    Lauren Aronson Joins Amin Talati Wasserman, LLP
    Vitamin K2 May Ameliorate Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Ashland Completes Sale of Land in Ajax, Canada
    Chemours Begins Commissioning New Sand Mine in Clay County, FL
    Evonik Increases Production Capacities for ACEMATT Matting Agents
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Preceptis Medical’s Tympanostomy Tube System Cleared for Expanded Indications
    Dyad Medical’s Echocardiogram Application Cleared by FDA
    Hua Shan Appointed to Cerus Corporation Board
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Completes Phase II Expansion
    WCG Appoints Rahul Bafna Chief Product Officer
    WuXi STA Breaks Ground for New Pharma Mfg. Campus in Middletown, DE
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    SOS Beauty Fills Several Senior Leadership Positions
    Beauty Sales to Higher Income Consumers in U.S. Increase Double-Digits in 2022
    Johnson & Johnson to Discontinue Global Sales of Talc-Based Baby Powder
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Arm & Hammer Laundry Continues Partnership with Dress for Success as Presenting Sponsor of 2022 Virtual Power Walk
    Genemarkers Partners with Sequential Bio to Improve Development of Microbiome-Friendly Skincare Products
    Lysol Pro Solutions Launches Individually-Wrapped Single-Count Lysol Disinfecting Wipes
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    DuPont Selects 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists
    Chemours Begins Commissioning Newest Sand Mine in Clay County, FL
    Marabu to Present Safe Inks for Indirect Contact with Food at K 2022
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Simco-Ion Industrial expands application engineering expertise
    Eaglewood to debut Sitexco Label L10 at Labelexpo
    Monadnock Paper Mills earns gold rating from Ecovadis
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Because Market Expands into Retail Stores
    Tranzonic Acquired by Private Investment Firm
    Monadnock Earns EcoVadis Gold Rating
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    FDA OKs VySpine's VyPlate Anterior Cervical Plates
    Moximed Raises $40M for Knee OA Shock Absorber Implant
    Exactech Rolls Out Spartan Stem and Logical Cup
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    DuPont Names 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists
    Photonic Glasses Give Solar Panels Pleasing Colors
    SEMI Appoints John Cooney to Lead Global Advocacy and Public Policy

    Copyright © 2022 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.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login