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Airlaid Market Report
2024-11-14 18:38
Even as airlaid nonwovens benefit from the increased need for sustainable and bio-based materials in the global wipes and hygiene markets, some producers are reporting challenging conditions brought on by global macroeconomic trends like intense competition and high energy and raw material prices.
However, consumption of airlaid continues to grow about 6% per year by volumes, according to industry tracker Smithers. This should lead to a tightened supply by 2027, according to experts.
“Due to the flexibility of the airlaid technology and its ability to process short fibers, nonwoven producers can serve various applications such as bio-wipes, technical wipes, absorbent hygiene products, food pads, napkins and table cloths,” says Tobias Schafer, vice president forming and finishing at airlaid equipment supplier Andritz Nonwoven & Textile. “Today the nonwovens market is looking for sustainable and economically viable solutions.”
In the past few years, two major line installations, from Glatfelter and Domtar, both in the U.S., have created more opportunities for airlaid, which had seen a long period of extremely slow investment throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. During this timeframe, the industry also experienced consolidation including Glatfelter’s purchases of Concert Industries and Georgia-Pacific, which had earlier purchased the old Buckeye Technologies business. Looking ahead, Glatfelter’s proposed merger with Berry Global, which continues to operate airlaid assets in China, will contribute to further consolidation and intensify competition in the marketplace after it closes this month.
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