Global Technical Textiles Business Update, 3rd quarter 2010

The value of the global market for nanofibres has been forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.3% between 2009 and 2015, and at a CAGR of 37.2% between 2015 and 2020. In the nonwovens sector, production in “Greater Europe” declined by 6.3% to 1.6 mn tons in 2009.

Honeywell has completed the acquisition of Sperian Protection, and SCA has purchased the Copamex baby diaper business in Mexico and Central America. P2i has expanded its portfolio of functional coatings through the acquisition of Surface Innovations. In the medical field, Ahlstrom has opened its first fabric plant in India, which will focus on the production of medical nonwovens, while Biomedical Structures will receive capital to fund expansion of its capabilities in service, technology, and breakthrough biomaterials. Meanwhile, Kinetic Concepts Inc (KCI) has obtained an injunction against Smith & Nephew relating to two of its patents concerning negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). In the aramid fibre sector, Teijin Aramid is planning to restart the last of its spinning lines in response to strong demand. In the field of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) Thomas Swan has built a new plant to make single-wall CNTs at its facility in Consett, UK, and will commission a second identical plant towards the end of 2010. Also in the CNT sector, Arkema has received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sell its Graphistrength multi-wall carbon nanotubes commercially in the USA.

In other news, MakMax has won a contract to supply fabric roofing for the Gold Coast Stadium redevelopment project in Australia, Point Blank is manufacturing ballistic vests containing Outlast Technologies’ thermo-regulating Outlast Adaptive Comfort lining fabrics, and Trevira has received a licence to produce NatureWorks’ Ingeo plant-based fibres. Meanwhile, several US fire departments are assessing TenCate Defender M fabric for use in garments worn by firefighters.

Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has reported an impressive 40.6% increase in sales from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010. Similarly, Lenzing Group enjoyed “excellent” financial results in the first half of 2010 after consolidated sales rose by 43.6%. Furthermore, its profit for the six-month period alone exceeded its total annual profit for the whole of 2009. Zoltek Companies has reported a 40% increase in sales for the third quarter of 2009/10 but the company incurred a net loss of US$0.4 mn during the period.