EDANA, the International Association Serving the Nonwovens and Related Industries today disclosed its preliminary European annual statistics for 2013. The release offers a comprehensive picture of the Nonwovens industry in Greater Europe, information which offers significant value a few days before the opening of INDEX 14, the world’s largest nonwovens exhibition.

Production of nonwovens in Europe grew by around 1.9% in 2013 to reach 2,037,400 tonnes, according to EDANA’s figures. This compares with 1,998,900 tonnes in 2012 when the annual growth was 1.5% and despite the two low growth years, the average growth rate since 2009 has been nearly 5.2%.

“Obviously, a more in-depth analysis will be necessary to draw any definitive conclusion, as diverging trends have been observed in different European countries, and between the various production processes of nonwovens,” EDANA said in its statement today.

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, commented: “Growth in the Wetlaid nonwovens has been substantial this year, but it is actually the Hydroentanglement process that has recorded the highest apparent growth of more 5.7%. However, other bonding processes within the Drylaid technologies (thermally, chemically bonded and needled punched), and also Spunmelt nonwovens witnessed low growth rates in 2013. Airlaid production, compared to its performance of 2012, recorded a higher growth, at 3%.”

The main end-use for nonwovens remains the hygiene market with a 32% share of deliveries, amounting to 645,700 tonnes, which grew by 1.9% in 2013. The most significant growth areas for nonwovens in 2013 were in medical (+14.0%) and all types of filtration applications (+11.5 %), followed by all wipes together (+7.4%), in which the specific evolution of personal care wipes (+12.4%) must be underlined, EDANA says.

EDANA reports that major declines were noticed in interlinings, coating substrates and artificial leather markets. Additionally, several important durable sectors in terms of volumes sold, such as construction markets or agriculture, showed limited and sometimes negative growth.

Sales to the automotive interiors market continued to increase, showing growth of +4.1% in 2013. This trend, EDANA says, confirms the importance of the automotive sector for the European nonwovens industry, which will be highlighted during INDEX 14, with a special workshop to be held from 1.30pm on Tuesday 8th April.

As part of one of their membership benefits package, EDANA members receive the full report entitled “2013 European Nonwovens Production and Deliveries”. EDANA nonwoven producers member companies will receive detailed data, in recognition of their participation.

"Thanks to a convergence of efforts of the participating companies and of the EDANA staff in the last few years, these statistics are available earlier than ever, making these ever more relevant for planning and benchmarking purposes within member companies" said Jacques Prigneaux.

www.edana.org