China’s five-year plan spurs growth

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, first aid and public safety, and military-civilian integration. The plan has also benefited the China International Nonwovens Expo & Forum, most recently held in Shanghai in June. The expo included more than 100 exhibitors of nonwovens and nonwoven products, machinery and ancillaries for nonwovens, and raw materials and chemicals for nonwovens. In addition, the Sixth China International Nonwovens Conference was held concurrently.