Sales of the World's Leading Ten Nonwovens Companies Reached Approximately US$8.1 bn.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c48899) has announced the addition of The World Nonwovens Industry: Part 1 - The Leading Ten Producers, 1 of 3, 2006/07 to their offering.

Worldwide sales of nonwoven roll goods continued their mid-single digit growth in 2005, reaching US$16 bn. Sales of the world's leading ten companies ranged from US$202 mn to US$1.4 bn and totalled about US$8.1 bn. Nine of the ten increased their sales. The exception was Freudenberg whose sales were static. But it remained the number one player, helped by double digit growth in Latin America and a success with MicronAir automotive interior filters. DuPont Nonwovens sales held up thanks to a focus on brands, technology and added value--especially in Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America and Asia. Investments in South Korea should also pay off. Kimberly-Clark will benefit from an improvement plan and a focus on high growth emerging markets in BRICIT (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Indonesia and Turkey) countries. Fiberweb's sales exceeded US$1 bn for the second time as its parent, BBA, prepared to spin it off into a separate entity. Sales and earnings at Polymer Group Inc (PGI) were boosted by spunlaced nonwovens in North America and a new line in Mexico. Expansion in China, Latin America and North America should also reap rewards. Investments in expansion and acquisitions have boosted sales at Ahlstrom and a flatter organisational structure should make it more customer driven. Johns Manville has benefited from a boom in global construction and expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. New products should help future growth. Buckeye Technologies has maintained its position through innovation and a focus on low cost operations. Sales in the wipes segment are at an all-time high. Companhia Providencia, a newcomer to the top ten, is benefiting from new spunmelt capacity targeted at hygiene markets throughout the Americas. And Owens Corning's nonwovens division is expected to be one of the company's fastest growing businesses in the future.

Topics Covered

Introduction

The Global Nonwovens Market

The Leading Ten Players

1 Freudenberg, Germany

2 Dupont Nonwovens, Usa

3 Kimberly-Clark, Usa

4 Fiberweb, Uk

5 Polymer Group Inc (Pgi), Usa

6 Ahlstrom, Finland

7 Johns Manville, USA

8 Buckeye Technologies, USA

9 Companhia Providencia, Brazil

10 Owens Corning, USA

List of Tables

Companies Mentioned

- Freudenberg

- Dupont Nonwovens

- Kimberly-Clark

- Fiberweb

- Polymer Group Inc (PGI)

- Ahlstrom

- Johns Manville

- Buckeye Technologies

- Companhia Providencia

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c48899