Analysis of the Nonwovens Industry in Asia-Pacific 2004-2009 Foreword

As the Asia-Pacific region continues to play an increasingly important role in both technical developments and market demand, INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has compiled a groundbreaking report on the size and potential of one of the world’s key markets for nonwovens and engineered fabrics. The “Analysis of the Nonwovens Industry — Asia-Pacific: 2004-2009” is one of the most in-depth reviews ever published of the growing Asia-Pacific market. The 81-page report includes technology updates, production capacity reports and projections for consumption and production in the region through the end of the decade. One of the highlights of the Report is an analysis and estimate of the growth of nonwovens output by technology in the region. As supply and demand is roughly in balance at this point, there will be considerable investment needed to expand the region’s nonwoven production capacity. This report provides a guide as to where the investment will be required by technology and the dollars required to meet the forecast 2009 volume. In addition, the Report provides an estimate of the current demand for each of the key staple fibers and resins consumed by the nonwoven industry in 2004, along with a forecast for demand in 2009. Among the important findings of the Report: The Asia Pacific nonwovens industry has grown rapidly over the past decade and produced over 1.3 million tons of nonwovens in 2004. The Asia Pacific region is dominant and accounts for 30% of the world’s nonwoven total output of 4.4 million tons. Despite an economic malaise that impacted the Asia Pacific region in the late 1990s, the region’s growth, led by China, expanded over 8% per year. The Asian recession is residing and the stagnant nonwoven industries of the leading producers — Japan, Korea and Taiwan — are forecast to expand at a strong pace over the report’s five year forecast through 2009. Due to the trend to lighter weight nonwovens used in several markets, the volume in square meters is forecast to rise more than 9% annually. China is now the third largest nonwoven producing region behind North America and Europe. The country’s nonwoven industry more than quadrupled during the past decade and exceeded 600,000 tonnes of output in 2004. The Report forecasts that China’s nonwoven industry’s tonnage output will continue to expand in the double digit range per year through 2009. Driving this growth is the country’s rising affluence which creates demand for consumer products using nonwovens ranging from diapers to cars. Analysis of the Nonwovens Industry — Asia-Pacific: 2004-2009” also reviews the nonwovens industry’s growth by nonwoven technology in the 10 major producing countries in the Asia Pacific region: Australia/New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. While 10 Asia Pacific countries are studied, the report provides higher detail on the larger industries of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The report tracks the production growth in metric tonnes of each of the major nonwoven technologies over the previous decade (1994-2004) and provides a five-year forecast through 2009. The four key nonwoven technologies include: Carded Technologies thermal/Resin Bonded Needlepunched Spunlaced Spunlaid Technologies Spunbonded Spunbonded Polypropylene Spunbonded Polyester Other Resins Meltblown (monolithic) Airlaid Pulp Wetlaid INDA’s mission is to promote the growth and profitability of the nonwovens industry. It is also our role to serve the worldwide interests of our many members and consumers of the industries’ products. To that end, we are publishing this report on the eastern Asia Pacific nonwoven industry to provide a benchmark of the industry’s position at the beginning of the 21 st century and its outlook for growth. The “Analysis of the Nonwovens Industry — Asia-Pacific: 2004-2009” is available for INDA members for $2,200. To order, go to the INDA Bookstore at www.inda.org