No doubt the spunlace market is facing strong demand. Wipes sale are booming particularly in the disinfectant wipes category thanks to Covid-19 and new applications are being uncovered for the technology. Evidence of this growth is seen throughout the supply chain as investment has been robust not just in substrate technology but in wipes converting lines, packaging equipment and even raw materials. Experts expect this growth to outlast the Coronavirus pandemic as consumer behavior has been permanently changed.

That being said, it is not just growth of wipes and other applications that is influencing investment in the spunlace category. Issues with imports and exports as well as supply chains have forced many companies in the wipes, medical and hygiene industries to reexamine how they do business. In fact, in a recent LinkedIn poll of Nonwovens Industry group members, the overwhelming majority of respondents indicated that supply chains were the No. 1 challenge facing their business—well above more obvious choices like finding workers or the Coronavirus.

The result of this challenge, it seems, is a return to a more localized business model, at least in some market areas, and it seems that spunlace is one of them. This explains why line investments are popping up in new countries like Ukraine, Romania and Uzbekistan. Companies in these markets have decided rather than dealing with higher-than-ever sea freight shipping costs, container shortages and other challenges facing the import/export business, it was easier to just invest in their own substrate production.

While many of these lines are still in the planning or construction stage, it is way too soon to see how the onset of new producers in new markets will impact the global state of the spunlace market or its related industries like disposable wipes, but it is interesting to see a reversal of the globalization trend that the industry has witnessed for so many years.
As always, we appreciate your comments.


Karen McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]