The nonwovens industry emerged in the 1970s using newly developed technologies adapted, but radically differing from, the weaving, knitting, and paper making industries. Since then, the number of technologies and raw materials available to the US industry has exploded. This industry has become the supplier of a bewildering array of products encompassing wipes, consumer products, geotextile reinforcements, medical garments and aids, hepafilters, building components, automobile and aircraft components, and space shuttle tiles. Such a broad product range has spawned a highly innovative and intensely competitive industry.

The US industry, composed of over 550 firms, continues to lead the world in nonwovens technology and production. The firms, typically small (median employment 75, annual sales $7.5 million), jealously exploit and protect unique market niches. Many are too small to afford experimental, or dedicated research facilities. In the aggregate their economic impact is significant (employment in excess of 160,000, annual sales of over $50 billion).

The products in the nonwoven industry are often intended as single use, disposable solutions necessitated by the needs of the sectors they serve. This has led to the saturation of the sectors such as hygiene, consumer products and medical products preferring single use products. The industrial sector has led to the creation of long life products which are intended to last for many years. This sector is still growing and new applications are emerging daily.

Durable products too are being developed at a rapid pace and these value added solutions are new effronteries for nonwovens.

The current and future state of the nonwoven industry will be discussed and reviewed. Opportunities for natural fibers among other emerging materials will also be discussed.