Responding to the rapidly expanding global nature of the nonwovens industry, the two global nonwovens associations—INDA and EDANA—are working hand in hand to encourage the implementation of an ambitious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. and EU. Among other things, the associations are calling for the fast track, permanent elimination of the EU’s 4.3% import tariff on nonwovens coming from the U.S. There currently are no tariffs on EU nonwovens coming into the U.S.
In April, INDA and EDANA decided to form a joint International Trade & Trends Advisory Board with the objective of promoting the free and fair trade of nonwovens globally, starting by taking an active role in the recently launched TTIP talks. If successful, the TTIP will create the world’s largest free trade area and generate more than $5 trillion in trade, investment and sales. It will also provide the ideal stage to eliminate unfair tariff imbalances and non-tariff barriers that have hindered the growth of nonwoven fabrics industry between the two trading partners.

More recently, both INDA and EDANA have provided submissions to their respective trade officials outlining the U.S. and European nonwovens industries’ key objectives for these important talks. In addition to calling for the fast-track elimination of EU duties on nonwoven roll goods, the associations have urged negotiators to guarantee mutually ambitious tariff phase-out obligations on a wide range of nonwoven products.

The associations have also asked trade officials to protect the innovation, technological change and product development that are vital to the nonwovens industry by including equally stringent intellectual property protections in the pact. Finally, they have asked negotiators to include regulatory provisions that remove unnecessary barriers to growth, promote transparency, and dialogue while at the same time allowing U.S. and EU governments to retain sovereignty to tailor regulations to suit the needs of their people.

The Annual Buyers’ Guide

Nonwovens Industry’s International Buyers’ Guide has entered its 44th year and offers a complete reference to players operating at all tier levels in the nonwovens supply chain around the world. This comprehensive database contains information on nearly every supplier and producer involved with the global nonwovens industry including machinery and equipment manufacturers, raw material suppliers, roll goods producers, contract service and converting specialists, as well as consulting services and industry trade association groups.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Nonwovens Industry. If you think your company was left out, please contact me at [email protected]. And, don’t forget to check out the online edition of our International Buyers’ Guide at nitesh_non.rodpub.com/buyersguide. It’s updated regularly throughout the year to ensure up-to-date access to all the key players in nonwovens. We welcome any changes or additions.