After steadily increasing for nearly a decade, U.S. exports of nonwoven fabrics  fell nearly 5% last year to 259 kilograms. This reversal came as nonwoven fabrics manufacturers from other countries gained nearly 15% the same year. While the U.S. still exports 70% more nonwovens than it imports, this data has been met with disappointment, as well as confusion, by the U.S. nonwovens industry at a time when the weakness of the dollar has made sourcing goods from the U.S. attractive to foreign businesses and most domestic exports expanded in many industries.

On the flip side, there were 61 countries that sent nonwoven fabrics  to the U.S., five more than the year before, and of those, 40 sent more nonwovens than they did in 2006.

While much of these changes have to do with the volatile nature of the trade business, they also reflect just how dynamically the nonwovens industry is changing. New lines are constantly being announced around the world, creating more competition for U.S. producers looking to grow their businesses in developing areas that once could not source nonwovens domestically. At the same time, nonwovens producers in these areas are increasing sophistication, making their materials suitable for U.S. consumers.

Adapted Zend Non-wovens CO., LTD : www.non-wovens.com