Spunmelt: What's with all the hype?

The worldwide nonwoven manufacturers are adding production capacity in response to the demand from hygiene and medical markets. PGI, based in N. Charleston, South Carolina, has announced its plans to build a new line near Shanghai, China, and one in Mooresville, North Carolina. BBA Fiberweb has announced that it would construct a 20,000-meter-per-year Reifenhauser 4 line in Sweden, representing a $25 million investment and partially replacing the existing older capacity. Fibertex in Europe is planning to add a third spunmelt manufacturing line, based on Reifenhauser technology to its Aalborg, Denmark facility to meet the growing demand for material in the hygiene market. Kimberly-Clark is undergoing a large streamlining initiative in its healthcare and infant care businesses. The new capacity coming onstream with technological advancements opens more opportunities for spunmelts in hygiene product market.