Between 1990 and 2013 or over 23 years, North American nonwovens capacity increased at an average of 6.9 percent per year, more than outpacing real GDP clocked by USA, which grew at 2.5 percent per year over the same period, says a latest report from INDA. Over this 23 year period, the industry has more than quadrupled in size, adding 1.84 million tonnes, in capacity, the report adds. In 2013 alone, North America's nonwoven capacity increased to 2.35 million tonnes, up 1.7 percent above the previous year. Contrary to industry assumptions, the drylaid process, or carded, which includes the needlepunch and hydroentangling bonding processes, is the largest web forming process category, accounting for 45 percent of North American capacity, the report notes.
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