This year’s top companies report doesn’t look a whole lot different than previous reports—at first glance—but as you delve into the individual profiles, you will see just how much has changed in the industry over the past several years.

First of all, there has been considerable consolidation. Glatfelter, one of the world’s largest nonwovens producers and the largest maker of airlaid materials, has been particularly aggressive in this area as of late. In the past 12 months, the company has bought what was left of Georgia-Pacific’s airlaid business (Glatfelter bought G-P’s European business a few years ago) and is now poised to buy Jacob Holm, a European maker of wipe materials with plants in the U.S., France and Germany. Together these two deals will add about half a million dollars to Glatfelter’s total nonwovens sales and significantly expand its scope in the wipes market.

Another company growing steadily through acquisition is Jofo Nonwovens, one of China’s largest nonwovens producers. The company purchased a Wuxi-based manufacturing site from PFNonwovens, adding to its local production, as well as a significant stake in SAAF, a Saudi Arabian maker of spunmelt nonwovens, giving it its first operation outside of China. If Jofo executives are to be believed, this is just the start of Jofo’s globalization efforts, and the company has a goal of being one of the largest nonwovens producers in the world in the next few years.

Like Jofo, more Asian companies are stepping onto the global stage to be able to serve its customers not only locally, but in all the regions they participate. Kingsafe Nonwovens is aggressively investing in its nonwovens business in response to demand for wipes and other nonwovens products not just in China but globally, and Toray Industries continues to be one of the world’s largest nonwovens producers with aggressive investments throughout Asia and India.

So, while many of the companies seem to be the same, their activities are constantly changing and so is the global nonwovens industry.

As always, we appreciate your comments.


Karen McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]