According to statistics released from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, April production of nonwoven fabrics was at 29,198, and remained at the same level as the same month of last year. Monthly production posted increases during the first three months of this year.
By item, April production of spunbondeds/meltblowns fell 7.6% to 8,386 tons, and affected overall production. The production of wet-laids also decreased by 3.3% to 2,881 tons. Meanwhile, production sharply increased for chemical-bondeds (up 5.2% to 1,666 tons), thermal-bondeds (up 1.3% to 3,370 tons), needle-punched (up 6.3% to 6,417 tons) and spunlaced (up 10.0% to 4,422 tons), thanks to continuously vigorous demand.
January-April nonwoven fabric production rose by 5.2% year-on-year to 115,648 tons.