This was the
largest nonwovens show ever both in terms of exhibitor numbers and total
content. In addition to the main
exhibits, EDANA had arranged a Special Features and Events programme comprising
a Global Nonwovens Summit, the INDEX Awards, a Management Innovation Workshop,
Nonwovens Tutorials, and Exhibitor Product Presentations. Your correspondent had to focus, and chose to
focus on the Exhibition stands and conversations with the exhibitors, the
emphasis being on seeking out new and interesting developments, especially
those from the East. The notes are
roughly classified according to whether they relate mainly to Raw Materials - Natural
or Synthetic, Nonwovens - Spunlaid or Carded, Machinery - Spunlaid or Other and
Miscellaneous.
Natural Raw Materials
Birla Cellulose (India), the largest viscose rayon
producer, had no fibre available and nothing they wanted to sell. They thought what Courtaulds used to call the
Cellulosics Gap had finally arrived.
Demand for cellulosics was now much higher than even cotton could reasonably
be expected to fill without serious encroachment on food-growing acreage, so
Dissolving Pulp capacity and rayon production were now expanding as rapidly as
possible. They hoped to start up another
150,000 tonnes viscose plant