Nonwoven fabric is a kind of fabric, which directly uses polymer chips, short fibers or filaments to form fibers through air flow or machinery, and then undergoes hydroentanglement, needle punching, or hot rolling reinforcement, and finally after finishing Formed non-woven fabric.
1. The development of non-woven textile industry
As of 1998, the world's non-woven consumption has reached 2.4 million tons. In 1970, its consumption was only 400,000 tons, and by 2007, its consumption is expected to reach 4 million tons. The producers of non-woven fabrics are mainly concentrated in the United States (41% of the world), Western Europe accounts for 30%, Japan accounts for 8%, China's production accounts for only 3.5% of the world's production, but its consumption is 17.5% of the world's , In 2018, China's non-woven production was 5.9322 million tons, accounting for 37.91% of the global total, and the world's largest production capacity.
Man-made fibers still dominate the production of nonwovens, and until 2007, this situation will not change significantly. 63% of the fibers used in the production of nonwovens worldwide are polypropylene, 23% polyester, 8% viscose, 2% acrylic, 1.5% polyamide and the remaining 3% are others fiber.
The application of non-woven fabrics in sanitary absorbent materials, medical, transportation, and shoe-making textile materials has increased significantly.
2. Production and consumption of non-woven fabrics
The global consumption of non-woven fabrics was 800,000 tons in 1983, and increased to 1.1 million tons in 1985, 1.4 million tons in 1988, and 2.4 million tons in 1998. In 2005, its consumption could reach 3.7 million tons.
The consumption of man-made fibers used in various textiles was 16.9 million tons in 1983, increased to 20.4 million tons in 1988, and reached 30.4 million tons in 1998. It is estimated that by 2005, its consumption will be 37 million tons. It can reach 38.3 million tons per year.
The consumption growth rate of man-made fibers in non-woven production is expected to reach 10% in 2005 and 10.4% in 2007. Part of the reason for such rapid growth in consumption in the nonwovens industry is the increase in ancillary industries in China, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
3. Factors that affect the growth rate of non-woven fabrics
All factors that affect the growth of man-made fibers can more or less affect the textiles made of man-made fibers, among which non-woven textiles have the greatest impact. Population growth factors have less impact on non-woven fabrics than other textiles used for apparel. But if one considers the important application of nonwovens in baby diapers, population growth is also an important factor. The replacement of natural fibers has a greater impact on textiles, but has little impact on non-woven fabrics, because the production of non-woven fabrics basically depends on man-made fibers.
Commercial development of man-made fibers and professional application of non-woven fabrics: Due to the establishment of international economic treaties, the trade in microfibers, composite fibers, biodegradable fibers and new polyester fibers has grown. This has a great impact on non-woven fabrics, but has little impact on apparel and knitted textiles. Substitution of textiles and other items: This includes substitution by non-woven textiles, knitted textiles, plastic films, polyurea foam, wood pulp, leather, etc. This is determined by the cost and performance requirements that the product needs to have. The introduction of new, more economical and efficient production processes: namely, various articles made from polymers, the application of new competitive non-woven fabrics and the introduction of special fibers and non-woven textile additives.
The three major fibers used in the production of nonwovens are polypropylene fibers (62% of the total), polyester fibers (24% of the total) and viscose fibers (8% of the total). Between 1970 and 1985, viscose fibers were used the most in the production of non-woven fabrics. Between 2000 and 2005, in the field of sanitary absorbent materials and medical textiles, the application of polypropylene fibers and polyester fibers began to dominate. In the early non-woven production market, nylon was used in a large amount, and since 1998, the use of acrylic fibers began to rise, especially in the field of artificial leather manufacturing.
There are many large-scale projects in various constructions in China, such as the Three Gorges Project, Xiaolangdi Project, environmental protection project, western development, infrastructure construction, etc. These will greatly promote the development of geotextiles, filter materials, waterproof materials, and packaging materials. Consumption. In addition, the increase in the income of domestic consumers will also strongly stimulate the consumption of various hygienic absorbent products, air filter materials, medical and health products, and labor insurance and sports products. Therefore, China's non-woven industry still has great growth potential in the future.Get interest in non woven fabric slitting machine? Click the link to discover more.