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Nonwovens in the automotive industry
September 1st, 2018
"I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics.” When Dustin Hoffman’s character Benjamin Braddock heard those words in the iconic movie The Graduate in 1967, the use of plastics—or polymer-based materials—was on the rise. (This, although plastics had been around for almost 100 years; the first synthetic polymer was invented […]
European nonwovens increase
June 4th, 2018
EDANA has released the results of its annual nonwovens industry survey. In 2017 nonwovens production in Greater Europe grew in volume by 4.3 percent to reach 2,544,450 metric tons with a total estimated turnover of approximately 7,869 million euros (+5.6 percent). Some established players like France and the Benelux countries were at a standstill, but […]
Nonwovens industry outlook
December 13th, 2017
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has released a new industry outlook report, “North American Nonwovens Industry Outlook, 2016–2021.” The exclusive content provides analysis across all of the nonwoven end-use markets, including 128 disposable and 127 durable categories, to provide a comprehensive and accurate view of the total North American nonwovens industry. Detailed […]
Biomimicry inspires medical textiles
September 27th, 2017
With much of the discussion of smart textiles focusing on e-textiles at present, it is good to be reminded that there are innovative developments emerging in non-digital yarns also. MedTextra is a filtration and health-giving yarn that uses a unique moisturizing process to deliver active ingredients to the body based on biomimicry principles. The brainchild […]
Chinese nonwovens market bullish
August 31st, 2017
Multiple nonwovens product sectors in China continue to exhibit strong growth and potential for the foreseeable future, according to reports from the biennial China International Nonwovens Expo & Forum held in Shanghai in June. While multiple sectors within China’s nonwovens market are experiencing strong growth, three in particular stand out: hygiene, medical and filtration. Government […]
China’s five-year plan spurs growth
August 1st, 2017
China’s 13th five-year plan is boosting production and demand for nonwoven products. A focus on industry upgrades has improved capacity, with output estimated to reach seven million tons in 2020, up from 5.35 million in 2016. Product demand comes from a number of sectors including construction and infrastructure, environmental protection, health care and elderly care, […]
Nonwovens highlighted at conference
May 30th, 2017
The third Conference on Nonwovens for High-Performance Applications offered information about the latest developments in new areas of application and production processes. Held in Prague in March, the conference included a presentation on the findings from two major market studies on nonwovens. Other topics included the use of nonwovens as automotive components for lightweighting and […]
The growing ground for durable nonwovens
October 11th, 2016
David Nelson was devoted to nonwoven technology at 3M when the Minnesota-based corporate powerhouse became a charter member of The Nonwovens Institute, which launched in 2007 at North Carolina State University. Nelson served on the institute’s industrial advisory board for six years, three years as chairman. He also served for six years on the board […]
Expanding nonwovens
October 1st, 2016
ELASTEX® TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) products are designed to provide maximum elongation and maximum elastic recovery. ELASTEX TPU is highly elastic for use where stretching capability is needed. Material has high air permeability and is resilient to abrasion, puncture, aging and UV; available in various colors. Leading applications include medical, hygiene, sportswear, wraps, filters and films. […]
Nonwovens reach beyond their beginnings as disposables
October 1st, 2016
While he was managing nonwovens research and development at 3M, David Nelson observed an irony surrounding the technology with which he had been involved for 35 of his 40 years at the Minnesota-based powerhouse. “When I gave updates, I would say, ‘Of our 48 technologies, nonwoven is the only one described by what it isn’t […]