Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director elaborated on the main drivers for the impressive growth rate, which well outpaced the annual average growth rate over the last decade of 4.0%, “the highest demand for materials intensively used to fight the pandemicimpacted the production. Spunmelt and Drylaid-Hydroentangled nonwovens witnessed two-digit growth rates in both weight and surface area. Thanks to the development in similar applications, the growth in the Wetlaid nonwov-ens was also substantial last year. Airlaid production, with opposite trends in different applications, recorded a flat situation compared to a year before.” “The main end-use for nonwovens remains the hygiene market with a 28% share of deliveries, amounting to 857,940 tonnes, a 9.6% growth in 2020. For obvious reasons, the most significant growth areas for nonwovens in 2020 were ob-served in medical (+118.0%) and wipes/personal wipes (+22.0%) followed by garments (+32.6 %)”. In contrast, major declines were noticed in automotive interiors (down 23%), floor coverings, table linen and interlinings. Additionally, several important durable sectors in terms of volumes sold, such as in construction markets and liquid filtration showed limited growth and, in the case of agricultural applications, negative. “Thanks to a convergence of efforts of the participating companies and of the EDANA staff in the last few years, these results are based on the collection of actual data from an increasing number of companies and not less than 118 companies/plants directly reported their 2020 returns this year. More and more accurate figures will certainly make these statistics ever more relevant for planning and benchmarking purposes within member companies” said Jacques. Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA said “Behind those figures we see first and foremost the efforts and labour of thousands of women and men who can be proud of working for companies whose purpose has always been - but is perhaps now recognised better than ever-to contribute to deliver excellence for the well-being and health of fellow citizens” Further statistical detail and analysis is available in the report “2020 European Nonwovens Market Insights”, shared with all EDANA members. EDANA mem-bers who are nonwoven producers will receive more detailed data, in recog-nition of their survey participation. Members can also access comprehensive figures across a full range of applications and production processes via the EDANA Statistics App. Contact Jacques prigneaux EDANA Statistics App