#Index 2014

2014-04-03

Nonwoven production exceeded 2 million tonnes in 2013 in Greater Europe

Fibre production at Trevira (c) 2014 Trevira

EDANA disclosed the preliminary European annual statistics for 2013. This release offers a comprehensive picture of the Nonwovens industry in Greater Europe, information which offers significant value a few days before the opening of INDEX™ 14, the world’s largest nonwovens exhibition.

According to figures collected and compiled by the EDANA secretariat, production of nonwovens in Europe grew by around 1.9% in 2013 to reach 2,037,400 tonnes. This compares with 1,998,900 tonnes in 2012 when the annual growth was 1.5%. Despite these two low growth years, the average growth rate since 2009 has been nearly 5.2%.

Obviously, a more in-depth analysis will be necessary to draw any definitive conclusion, as diverging trends have been observed in different European countries, and between the various production processes of nonwovens.

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, stated “Growth in the Wetlaid nonwovens has been substantial this year, but it is actually the Hydroentanglement process that has recorded the highest apparent growth of more 5.7%. However, other bonding processes within the Drylaid technologies (thermally, chemically bonded and needled punched), and also Spunmelt nonwovens witnessed low growth rates in 2013. Airlaid production, compared to its performance of 2012, recorded a higher growth, at 3%.”

The main end-use for nonwovens remains the hygiene market with a 32% share of deliveries, amounting to 645,700 tonnes, which has grown by 1.9% in 2013. The most significant growth areas for nonwovens in 2013 were in medical (+14.0%) and all types of filtration applications (+11.5 %), followed by all wipes together (+7.4%), in which the specific evolution of personal care wipes (+12.4%) must be underlined.

On the contrary, major declines were noticed in interlinings, coating substrates and artificial leather markets. Additionally, several important durable sectors in terms of volumes sold, such as in construction markets or agriculture, showed limited (and sometimes negative) growth.

Nevertheless, sales to the Automotive interiors market continued to increase (+4.1% in 2013). This trend confirms the importance of the Automotive sector for the European nonwovens industry, which will be highlighted during INDEX™ 14 (with a special workshop to be held from 1.30pm on Tuesday 8th April).

Only EDANA members receive the full report, as part of one of their most valued membership benefits, and will soon get their complimentary copy of the report “2013 European Nonwovens Production and Deliveries”. EDANA nonwoven producers member companies will receive detailed data, in recognition of their participation.

"Thanks to a convergence of efforts of the participating companies and of the EDANA staff in the last few years, these statistics are available earlier than ever, making these ever more relevant for planning and benchmarking purposes within member companies" said Jacques.

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

DePoly Inaugurates its Showcase Plant in Monthey Switzerland

What if used plastic bottles, PET packaging material and polyester textiles could become raw materials just as high performing as virgin resources? That is the ambition of DePoly, a circular materials company based in Sion, Switzerland which inaugurated its Showcase Plant in Monthey on July 6th & 7th. The first depolymerization facility of its kind and scale in Switzerland, this industrial Showcase Plant represents a major milestone in the company's growth and its journey toward commercialization.