All over the world, automobile manufacturers are using engineered nonwoven fabrics to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive marketplace. A few examples:

Working with contours: When a major car manufacturer found that standard trim material carpet couldn't conform to the intricate shape of new inside door panels, engineered nonwoven fabric manufacturers stepped in to help. The result: a velour needlepunch carpet that was aesthetically superior and less expensive than the standard material.

Improving cost-effectiveness: Car makers seeking to reduce the costs of headliner and floor applications have replaced their traditional fabrics with engineered nonwoven materials. The new fabrics offer comparable strength and durability - as well as improved color consistency - at a significantly lower cost.

Replacing three parts with one: A major manufacturer sought to cut costs and lower the installation time of a plastic injection molded part in a car trunk's seatback area. An engineered nonwoven fabric manufacturer responded by creating a single needlepunch product that replaced not one but three plastic pieces. This reduced the cost per piece while also slashing tooling expenses, inventory requirements and installation time.

Redefining carpet value: A spunbond polyester engineered nonwoven fabric took the place of a woven polypropylene in a vehicle's primary carpet backing - even though the woven material was cheaper. The producer recognized the cost effectiveness of this move: Since engineered nonwoven fabrics have balanced physical properties in all directions (isotropy), they're ideal for moldable products such as floor carpets, headliners, hoodliners and trunkliners. In short, the "value in use" of engineered nonwoven fabrics often exceeds the absolute cost/square yard premium for the base fabric.

Improving acoustics . . . and more: By sound proofing an automobile with engineered nonwoven fabrics, a producer also reduced material weight by 45%. In addition, it can eliminate glue from the assembly process making recycling a feasible option.

Finding new filters: Manufacturers working to improve their vehicles' filtration systems have called on spunlaid and other types of engineered nonwoven materials that has proven particularly useful due to its open structure for a low-pressure drop, good mass uniformity and easy pleating. In fact, many engineered nonwoven fabrics filter solid particles and odors with a single element and can be shaped to virtually any installation space.

Preventing fogging: A vehicle developed fogging problems when off-gases from a latex binder condensed on the rear window. An engineered nonwoven fabrics manufacturer solved the problem by constructing a new package tray using a flat needlepunched polyester fabric.