Starr publishes Spunmelt study.

John R. Starr, Inc., a management consulting firm specialized in nonwovens and related fields worldwide, has published a new study titled World Demand and Supply Outlook for Spunbonded Polypropylene and Spunbonded/Melt Blown Composites 2005-2010.

This study, which is an update of an earlier release, provides global and regional analysis of demand, supply and the demand/supply balance outlook for spunbonded and spunbonded/meltblown polypropylene nonwovens used in hygiene absorbent products, medical and other protective apparel, construction and other areas.

The study quantifies, by producer, the current and forecasted capacity in each of the various geographic regions and compares it to current and expected future demand. The study addresses the impact of the recent raw materials price escalations on producer margins and quantifies the competitiveness of blocks of installed capacity in each region. The study results will help management assess opportunities for capacity expansion in key global regions, the implications of capacity additions in geographic areas where supply and demand are in relative balance, and the relative competitiveness of increments of already installed capacity.