INDA Releases Landmark Report on China’s Nonwovens Industry

Association’s Trends and Forecast Examines Chinese Market from 2003-2013

CARY, NC — April 16, 2010 — Combining both an historical perspective on the market since 2003 and projections of its growth through 2013, a groundbreaking report – “China Nonwoven Industry Outlook Trends and Forecast” – is to be published by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.

The 66-page report focuses on the Outlook for the Disposable and Durable Nonwoven Markets, Sales and Volume of Major Nonwoven Segments and Nonwovens Consumption in 2008 and Outlook by Technology.

Among the markets examined are Baby Diapers, Baby Pads, Feminine Hygiene Pads and Tampons, Adult Incontinence, Medical/Surgical Products and Disposable Wipes. In Durable Products, markets include Geotextiles, Roofing, Automotive Interiors, Filter Media and Bedding Construction.

“Many nonwovens and related firms asked INDA for assistance in understanding the high growth rate of the Chinese nonwoven industry and what is driving this nonwoven growth,” says the author, Ian Butler, INDA’s Director of Market Research. “It is really fairly simple — China’s nonwoven industry has been keeping pace with the Chinese national economy and the country’s nonwoven industry over the past five years expanded an average of 17% per year between 2003-2008.”

Among the highlights of the report’s findings:

• China consumed 10.4 billion square meters of nonwoven fabrics, of which nine billion were for disposable end markets and 1.4 billion for durable end-uses.  The value of nonwoven fabrics consumed in China during 2008 totaled, in constant U.S. dollars, $2.32 billion. INDA expects China’s nonwoven volume will increase 12% per year and will reach almost $3.88 billion by 2013. 
• Sales of the converted disposables markets studied had sales of $11.87 billion in 2008. INDA expects these markets will grow in constant dollars from current size to $18.46 billion during the five-year period through 2013.  This represents an average annual growth rate of 9.2% per year.
• The medical market is unusual. While this is a significantly sized market of over $2 billion in 2008, with the exception of some small products such as face masks, shoe covers and masks, most of the remaining surgical products of apparel and patient drapes are exported and not consumed within China. About 60-70% of these disposable surgical products are shipped to the U.S. market. Medical growth is expected to average about 6.0% per year between 2008-2013.
• China’s domestic production of nonwoven material, including export volume, in 2008 reached 667,600 tons. Volume in 2013 is expected to reach 1,113,600 tons for the markets INDA studied.

The “China Nonwoven Industry Outlook Trends and Forecast” report is available in early May at a cost of $2,200 for INDA Members and $3,000 for non-members.

For information: www.inda.org; or contact Helena Lee, INDA 919-233-1210 ext. 120, hlee@inda.org.