The push for non-woven fabrics comes as Mainland China recorded a 128% jump in non-woven imports over a thirteen-year period from 2000 to 2013.
The Germany-based trade show has enlisted its Asia Pacific branch – located in Hong Kong, to facilitate the launch. Dubbed 'China International Nonwovens Expo & Forum' (CINE), the event is to be held from October 14-16 in Shanghai And it will complement the biennial Cinte Techtextil China trade fair.
As part of the three-day event, which will be held in Shanghai Mart, an expo and industry forum is scheduled.
The event is set to provide sourcing options to buyers, as well as sparking discussions and critical thinking via the forum, which will serve as platform for show participants to acquire a rounded and in-depth knowledge nonwovens globally.
Topics to be discussed include: global nonwovens trade and opportunities in China; development and forecast of high temperature flue gas filtration materials; application of nonwovens in automotives; market and technology developments of PET nonwovens; technical processes of flushable nonwovens; new developments in nonwovens finishing technology; and green development of China's nonwoven industry.
“We are very optimistic about the continuing potential in China’s nonwovens market as imports grew from 61,400 to 140,000 tons between 2000 and 2013, and we can see this momentum continuing in the coming years,” said Wendy Wen, senior general manager of Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong.
Nearly 100 nonwovens suppliers have already confirmed their participation in the debut edition this October, she added.
“Many nonwovens exhibitors are confident that, by participating in this event, they will be able to expand their business in China, where imports of such products have high demand.”
According to the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association, the unit price of imported nonwovens reached USD 6.1 per ton in 2013, which was 35% higher than in 2007.
Meanwhile, the current import price is 1.7 times higher than the export price, indicating high-end nonwovens from overseas still have a lot of room to expand their market share in the country.
Nonwoven fabric is a textile-like material made from long fibers, bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. The term is used in the textile manufacturing industry to denote fabrics, such as felt, which are neither woven nor knitted.