Report on trends in technical textiles

The recession forced many leading technical textile companies to shed non-core businesses, such as nonwoven consumer hygiene products, to focus on industrial markets, according to a new report by textiles journalist Adrian Wilson. “Strategies of Leading International Technical Textiles Companies, 3rd Edition” cites the separation of nonwoven fabric businesses as one example of the worldwide economic slowdown’s effects on businesses such as Ahlstrom, Fiberweb and Fibertex. New EU environmental regulations requiring environmentally sound processes have had positive impacts on technical textile companies, which found efficiency and cost-cutting options while scrutinizing operations. Companies no longer able to compete on price with fast-growing textile businesses in China, India and Turkey are instead exploiting skills, investment capital, material processes and equipment not available to competitors.