Figures released today show that after a decline in 2009, production of nonwovens during 2010 in Greater Europe (Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey and CIS), has not only recovered, but has overtaken its peak level of 2008. EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, today released its statistics on Nonwovens Production and Deliveries for 2010.

According to EDANA, total European production grew in weight by 10.3% since 2009 (by 3.4% since 2008), with 1,784,704 tonnes of nonwovens produced in 2010. This compares with the decline in the industry for 2009 of 6.3%. The level of production in square metres, which did not stop growing, reached 54,245 million in 2010, representing a total turnover estimated around €5,585 million.

Launching the EDANA Annual Statistics 2010, Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director said:

“The European nonwoven industry is back on the right track in 2010. Two main findings of EDANA Annual Statistics illustrate the vitality of our sector. Firstly, several market segments recorded their best output ever, in both tonnage and square metres.”

“Secondly, EU trade flows of nonwovens with the rest of the world, both exports and imports, have never been as high as the ones recorded last year.”

EDANA says that despite the recovery of almost all other market segments, the hygiene business is still by far the largest outlet of the industry both in terms of weight and surface area for 2010. After the first ever decline in tonnage in 2009, the amount of nonwovens sold to the personal care wipes market recorded a double digit growth last year, both in tonnes and in square metres, the association said.

“Other important positive evolutions, in percentage, were observed in automotive, building/roofing, air and gas filtration, agriculture and medical applications,” EDANA stated.

Detailed data on the 2010 European Nonwovens Production and Deliveries is only available to EDANA member companies.

EDANA, serves the nonwovens and related industries, and has more than 220 member companies in over 30 countries across the globe. Its mission is to create the foundation for sustainable growth of the nonwovens, absorbent hygiene products and related industries through active promotion, education and dialogue.

Information about upcoming events can be found at www.edana.org