Page 14 - May-June-2019

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Nonwoven production in

Europe grew by 1.3pc to reach

2.76 million tonnes in 2018

According to the annual European statistics 2018, complied by EDANA, the overall production of nonwovens
in Europe grew by 1.3pc in 2018 to reach 2,760,000 tonnes. Over the last decade, the annual average growth
rate has been nearly 4pc.

Mr Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director advised, “Despite a
slowdown in some important market segments and increasing competition from abroad, the European
nonwovens industry showed again its strength, resilience and ability to innovate”.

Overall spunmelt output was almost flat (+0.9pc over 2017) while dry laid technologies recorded an increase
of 2.1pc. The highest growth within dry laid production in air-through and hydro entanglement bonding
processes was +7.6pc and +4.7pc. The hygiene market (end user for nonwovens) grew by 1.7pc in 2018.

The most meaningful developments in tonnage for nonwovens in 2018 were in sales of roll goods for
personal care wipes (+2.9pc), floor covering (-1.2pc), civil engineering (-0.3pc), automotive interior (-0.5pc),
electronics (+2.8pc) and food & beverage applications (+5.7pc).

Mr Pierre Wiertz, general manager, EDANA announced, “In line with EDANA’s on-going commitment to
improve the knowledge and understanding of global nonwovens developments and trade flows, for the
benefits of its members and the industry at large, we invited our partners from other nonwovens associations
across Asia and America to share experiences and methodologies later this year in the first ever global
workshop intended to harmonize nonwoven production and sales statistics, and our positions on trade.”

US cotton production projected to

reach 21.8 million bales – Highest in 14 years

Since 2005, US cotton output is expected to swing back to the highest production level. According to the U.S.
World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, the 2019-2020 crop production will increase from
previous season’s 18.4 million to 21.8 million bales. A single bale weighs 218 kilograms (480 pounds).

A year earlier, the USDA March forecast said that for 2019-2020 season, the cotton acres from 14.1 million
would drop to 13.8 million. According to Mr John Robinson, a professor of agricultural economics at Texas
A&M University, anecdotal evidence in states including Texas and Oklahoma suggests the fiber will be sown
on 14 million acres nationally.
Relatively low prices for competing crops and rainy weather causing planting delays for corn may make the
fiber an attractive alternative, said Robinson, who estimates U.S. cotton production will reach 23 million bales.

May/June 2019