Global production of spunlaced nonwovens grew an average of 9.5% for the past five years to a total of 819,000 tons in 2011, according to a recently released report from from INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, titled “Global Spunlaced Technology Markets and Trends—2011-2016.”

The report projects that the spunlaced market, whose largest markets are NAFTA (Canada, Mexico and the US), Europe and China, will continue to grow at an average rate of 8.2% a year through 2016.

The report provides an in-depth look at the history and future of spunlaced technology, key end-uses and an overview of the global spunlaced market, including a breakout of capacity by world regions. Also included are charts and figures detailing global production capacities and end-uses in major world markets.

Among the other findings of the INDA report:

• The three major producing regions for spunlaced technology—NAFTA, Europe and China—are forecasted to grow at a rate of 7.7% per year over the five-year period.

• The largest end-uses for spunlaced nonwoven substrate materials are wipes. Other end-uses include surgical gowns and surgical patient drapes, and substrates for coating and laminating, industrial apparel and filtration media.

• There are approximately 150 spunlaced producers operating more than 260 production lines worldwide.

• INDA projects that the number of spunlaced lines will continue to increase globally. The key markets of NAFTA, Europe and China will expand, but significant growth is also forecasted in the developing markets of the Middle East and South America.

The cost for the “Global Spunlaced Technology Markets and Trends — 2011–2016” is $1,995 for INDA members and $2,795 for non-members.  For more information or to purchase the report, contact Helena Lee, [email protected], Telephone: 919-233-1210 ext. 120.

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