2021… Slowing Down

After two years of unprecedented growth and investment, the picture for nonwovens in 2021 has certainly changed. Dozens of lines and hundreds of thousands of tons of new capacity—representing all types of nonwovens technologies—were planned around the globe in 2020 and early 2021, following surging demand for protective clothing, healthcare applications, face masks and disinfectant wipes. But, by the end of 2021, investment had slowed as companies faced new challenges like raw material increases, supply chain disruption, soaring energy costs and more.

Amidst these challenges, however, nonwovens producers continue to express optimism about the future, focusing on new product development, partnerships and line improvements, as they wait for new capacity to be utilized and supply challenges to abate. These manufacturers agree that the rate of nonwovens growth globally across most application areas continues to be strong and, while some markets have decreased from their mid-pandemic level highs, they are still stronger than they were before the coronavirus.

Looking ahead, probably the most pressing issue on most companies’ minds is sustai