3 Key Points Explain The Development Of Non-Woven Fabrics
1. Development of the non-woven fabric industry
As of 1998, the world's non-woven fabric consumption has reached 2.4 million tons, while in 1970, its consumption was only 400,000 tons. Non-woven fabric manufacturers are mainly concentrated in the United States, Western Europe accounts for 30%, Japan accounts for 8%, and China accounts for only 3.5%, but its consumption accounts for 17.5% of the world. Man-made fibers still dominate the production of non-woven fabrics, and the application of non-woven fabrics in sanitary absorbent materials, medical purposes, vehicles and footwear textile materials has increased significantly.
2. Nonwoven fabric production and consumption
In 1983, global nonwoven fabric consumption was 800,000 tons, which increased to 1.1 million tons in 1985, 1.4 million tons in 1988, and reached 2.4 million tons in 1998. The surge in nonwoven fabric industry consumption is partly due to the increase in supporting industries in China, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
3. Factors affecting the growth rate of non-woven fabrics
All factors affecting the growth of artificial fibers will have a certain impact on textiles made of rayon, which has the greatest impact on non-woven textiles. Compared with other textiles used in clothing, the population growth factor has a smaller impact on non-woven fabrics, but if the important application of non-woven fabrics in baby diapers is taken into account, population growth is also an important factor.
The replacement of natural fiber parts has a greater impact on textiles, but has little impact on non-woven fabrics, because the production of non-woven fabrics basically depends on artificial fibers, commercial development of artificial fibers and professional applications of non-woven fabrics: due to the establishment of international economic treaties, the trade of microfibers, composite fibers, biodegradable fibers and new polyester fibers has increased, which has a great impact on non-woven fabrics, but has little impact on clothing and knitted textiles, replacement of textiles and other supplies: including replacement with non-woven textiles, knitted textiles, plastic films, polyurea foams, wood pulp, leather, etc., depending on the cost and performance requirements of the product. The introduction of new, more economical and efficient production processes: various polymer products, the application of competitive new non-woven fabrics and the introduction of special fibers and non-woven additives.
Between 1970 and 1985, viscose fiber was the most widely used in the production of nonwoven fabrics. Between 2000 and 2005, the use of polypropylene fiber and polyester fiber began to dominate the field of sanitary absorbent materials and medical textiles. In the early days of nonwoven production, nylon was used in large quantities. Since 1998, the number of acrylic fibers has begun to increase, especially in the field of artificial leather manufacturing. There are many large projects in China's Three Gorges Project, Xiaolangdi and other construction projects, environmental protection projects, western development, infrastructure construction, etc., which will greatly promote the consumption of geotextiles, filter materials, waterproof materials, and packaging materials. In addition, the increase in domestic consumer income will also effectively promote the consumption of various sanitary absorbent products and air filter materials, medical and health products and labor protection products and sports goods. Therefore, China's nonwoven bag making machine nonwoven industry has great potential for future development.
