U. S. nonwovens capacity expands

According to a new report by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, the North American nonwovens industry has quadrupled over the past 23 years, increasing an average of 6.9 percent yearly. Between 1990 and 2013, the industry added 1.84 million tons. The rate outpaces the United States GDP, which grew at 2.5 percent over the same period. In 2013 capacity increased to 2.35 million tons, up 1.7 percent over the previous year. The largest web-forming process category is the drylaid process, or carded, which includes needlepunch and hydroentangling bonding processes, accounting for 45 percent of capacity.