For the second year running, capacity for the production of nonwovens in North America has increased by over 100,000 tons, reaching 5.73 million tons in 2024, according the 12th annual North American Nonwovens Supply Report, which has just been released by industry association INDA.

Based on extensive producer surveys and interviews, the report shows investments across all processing methods and diverse end-use sectors drove the expansion.

While production output continues to shift and slowed in 2024, the larger machine installations now coming onstream promise future efficiency and capacity improvements.

A noteworthy trend is the installation of several new production lines primarily in the durable nonwovens sector. This underscores the industry’s proactive efforts to achieve sustainability goals and reduce environmental impact.

The annual INDA report delivers data to support industry growth and strategic planning, offering a detailed analysis of capacity, production, operating rates and regional trade across North America, including Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“As part of INDA’s role to be the industry’s trusted data source, this report offers valuable insights for benchmarking, strategic planning and decision-making,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA President and CEO. “This year’s findings highlight a resilient industry expanding capacity with ongoing investments across all regions and sectors, a strategic shift toward sustainable, long-life products, and a commitment to innovation and meeting rising demand across North America.”

The entire report is provided free of charge to producers who provided information. The executive summary from the annual supply reports, the quarterly INDA Market Pulse and the monthly Price Trends Summary are provided to INDA members on a complimentary basis as part of membership. The data gathered for this annual report is a springboard for the biennial Global Nonwoven Markets Report, to be next published in 2026.

“INDA is committed to continuing to improve the quality of our data and industry insights, and the ongoing strong participation from suppliers makes that possible,” said Mark Snider, chief market and industry analyst. “As the market evolves to meet increasing pressures within the global supply chain, this report examines the key dynamics driving these changes.”

www.inda.org