The report details the key metrics of capacity, production and operating rates for the North American nonwovens industry in total and by the nonwoven process.
“This new report is the benchmark for North American capacity and production information,” said Dave Rousse, President, INDA. “It brings forth the clearest view available of the all-important supply/demand balance in the major nonwoven process categories; an essential element for our members’ strategic planning and business decision making,”
Examples of key findings of the report include:
- Over the last 23 years (1990 to 2013), North American nonwovens capacity has increased an average of 6.9% per year, more than outpacing US real GDP, which grew at 2.5%per year over the same period. During this time the industry has more than quadrupled in size, adding 1.84 million tonnes.
- In 2013, North America’s nonwoven capacity increased to 2.35 million tonnes (1.7% above the previous year).
- Contrary to industry assumptions, the drylaid process, or carded (which includes the needlepunch and hydroentangling bonding processes), is the largest web forming process category, accounting for 45% of North American capacity.
The report is available free to INDA member companies and associates as part of their membership.
