Posted September 1, 2014

 

CARY, N.C. – INDA, the Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry, announced  the release of its first edition of the annual North American Nonwovens Supply Report for its members. 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, INDA president. “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 percent per year, more than outpacing U.S. real GDP, which grew at 2.5 percent per year over the same period. During this time the industry has more than quadrupled in size, adding 1.84 million tons.

• In 2013, North America’s nonwoven capacity increased to 2.35 million tons (1.7 percent 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 percent of North American capacity.

 

“It is INDA’s objective to continue to improve the quality of data and industry information. One way we support this is by providing for the common use of industry terminology and categorization,” said Brad Kalil, director of Market Research and Statistics, INDA.

The report is complimentary to the 300-plus INDA member companies and associates as part of their membership.