A look at the three main features in this issue clearly shows that the Covid-related boomtimes experienced by the nonwovens industry are well past their peak. The three key markets profiled this month—personal care wipes, spunlace nonwovens and, to the biggest extent, face masks—experienced unprecedented spikes in demand during the Coronavirus pandemic as the world looked to protect itself and stop the spread of the virus but, based on what executives are telling us, most markets have returned to normal.

During the past three years, similar articles reported on rapid rates of investment, high utilization rates and demand that was impossible to meet. This year, it’s no longer the case. Particularly in the face mask market, the days of new line investments are over and it appears that a number of lines added in 2020 and 2021 have been shuttered. Additionally, investment in meltblown nonwovens, the substrate technology favored by the face mask market, has flattened, and companies are reporting a significant drop off in the mask market’s consumption of meltblown.

This surprises no one. With mask mandates lifted, vaccination rates high and Covid-related deaths low, there are just not as many people wearing masks these days. Meltblown manufacturers are instead focusing on filtration media and other attractive markets for their materials. For those with experience in the market, meltblown continues to be a good place to be.

Meanwhile, many manufacturers of spunlace nonwovens are reporting struggles thanks to a perfect storm of capacity increases, rising raw material prices and lighter demand. Add to this demands for more sustainable substrate technology and it’s clear that makers of spunlace have had to react quickly to these changes.

Luckily, it seems that the spunlace market is up for the challenges. From the development of greener wiper substrates in the face of single-use plastics regulations to the development of new applications for spunlace both in traditional nonwovens markets and beyond, this market continues to focus on new developments to remain successful.

So, it seems while these markets are facing challenges today, the future still seems bright for nonwovens.


Karen McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]