Report summary

In this report, the first in a series of three in which the world's top 40 nonwovens producers are profiled, Karen Bitz provides the latest information and analysis about the activities of the world's leading ten producers of nonwovens. For many of these players, sales have increased, reflecting a number of investments and acquisitions in recent years.

In addition, more recent acquisitions and planned investments—particularly in melt blowing technology in response to the COVID-19 pandemic—should lead to further increases in sales in the future. Berry Global is adding a number of melt blowing lines around the world and has purchased nine machines for making masks.

Freudenberg has acquired two nonwovens producers, namely Filc and Low & Bonar, and it is adding a state-of-the art melt blowing line in Germany. Ahlstrom-Munksjö has expanded production, increased capacity and adapted its current technologies within its medical business to meet demand. DuPont has launched the #TyvekTogether programme in order to increase the overall availability of Tyvek personal protective garments, and it has expanded its Tyvek capacity in the USA and introduced a new specialised Tyvek fabric.

Fitesa has acquired a number of companies—including Freudenberg's South American hygiene nonwovens business, Tredegar Corporation's Personal Care Films division, and Fiber Dynamics—and it has signed a contract with Reifenhäuser Reicofil for four new lines which will be installed around the world. Lydall has committed to adding melt blowing capacity in the USA and France, and Johns Manville has started producing meltblown filtration media with a bacterial filtration efficiency of 95% and has launched a spunbonded nonwoven designed for the production of medical gowns.

Glatfelter has added a new line in the USA and acquired Georgia-Pacific's European nonwovens business, and Toray has added a new line in China and invested in a new facility in India.

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Publisher: Textiles Intelligence

93 pages, published in October 2020 

Report price: Euro 570.00; US$ 750.00 

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