Karen McIntyre, senior editor06.09.14
As the nonwovens market grows so does the amount of fibers and resins used to make them. Currently representing about 25% of total fiber shipments, the nonwovens industry continues to use a diverse range of fibers including oil-based ones like polypropylene and polyester and natural ones line cotton or cellulose.
“Nonwovens production continues to grow at a rate that is higher than the growth rates of the two other major consumers of staple fiber—traditional textile applications—and this is accounting for the growth in share of nonwovens-based products,” explains Paul Latten, of Basofil, who recently made a presentation about stable fibers at INDA’s Converting and Bonding conference last month.
Unfortunately, the range in fiber types makes it difficult to trace activity in the nonwovens market as one market’s increase might translate into another one’s decline. For instance, a few years ago cotton’s usage was boosted when an oversupply situation brought its prices lower. As the oversupply waned and prices increased, cotton became less attractive to nonwovens suppliers who instead chose rayon or polyester or p
“Nonwovens production continues to grow at a rate that is higher than the growth rates of the two other major consumers of staple fiber—traditional textile applications—and this is accounting for the growth in share of nonwovens-based products,” explains Paul Latten, of Basofil, who recently made a presentation about stable fibers at INDA’s Converting and Bonding conference last month.
Unfortunately, the range in fiber types makes it difficult to trace activity in the nonwovens market as one market’s increase might translate into another one’s decline. For instance, a few years ago cotton’s usage was boosted when an oversupply situation brought its prices lower. As the oversupply waned and prices increased, cotton became less attractive to nonwovens suppliers who instead chose rayon or polyester or p
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