INDEX17 is the largest global meeting place for the nonwovens supply chain and their customers. Providing a comprehensive snapshot of the nonwovens industry across Greater Europe, the latest figures demonstrate both the industry’s momentum and durability. Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s market analysis and economic affairs director, said “Germany, Italy and Spain all witnessed growth, with Spain’s particularly impressive at 5 per cent, while recent star performer Turkey remained stable, more than compensating for the minor decline recorded in some other European markets.”

Divergent trends were also observed between the various production processes of nonwovens. The production of fibre-based materials drylaid and short-fibre airlaid technologies recorded an increase of 2.2 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively, while wetlaid remained relatively stable. Spunmelt nonwovens recorded a growth rate of 3.3 per cent, reaching a production total of one million tonnes for the very first time. The highest growth rate was observed in material produced via the air-through bonding process, with a 13.1 per cent increase.  Although the primary main end-use for nonwovens continues to be the hygiene market, with a 30.7 per cent share of deliveries by weight, significant growth areas for nonwovens were recorded in other sectors – agriculture and garments, both recording double digit growth, air filtration, 3.2 per cent, construction at 4.5 per cent and food and beverage at 4.2 per cent. Countering this, a minor decline of one per cent was recorded in the automotive industry. Medical and personal care wipes sectors both remained stable with a very slight fall of 0.4 per cent.   Jacques Prigneaux added “This data, combined with continuous monitoring of the industry, ensures EDANA statistics are a valuable planning and benchmarking tool for all our member companies.” Pierre Wiertz, general manager of EDANA said “For over 40 years, the annual EDANA statistics – the most comprehensive report of its kind – have proved an invaluable source of business intelligence for our member companies, offering unparalleled insight into the industry thanks to exhaustive research and direct input from producers.”