The supply of nonwovens and technical textile products to Brazil's automotive industry has grown consistently over the years, said national nonwovens and technical textiles industry association Abint president, Laerte Maroni. The use of such products in the automobile manufacturing is due to two factors, according to the executive. The first is the development of new products focused on this specific sector, which has created new supply opportunities, and the second relates to the growth of Brazil's automotive industry.

Currently, 7.4% of local nonwovens production is supplied to the auto industry, while for technical textiles that share is 6.7%. "The use of different types of polymers in the production of car parts, such as panels, compartments and bumpers, is a consolidated trend," Maroni said. The executive explained that several types of fibers can be combined with polypropylene (PP), for example. "The industry can mix jute, which provides resistance, and PP, which allows for shaping the parts into different forms," he added.

According to Abint, 21% of recycled PET in Brazil is used by the nonwovens industry. In addition, the nonwovens sector has increased the use of natural fibers in its products, such as coconut, sisal and cotton. Maroni forecasts that investments in nonwovens and technical textiles will total up to 160mn reais (US$89.7mn) this year. "The sector requires high amounts of investments which normally go towards new machinery and technology improvements," the executive said.

The nonwovens and technical textiles industry generates annual revenues of US$1.8bn. For 2010, Abint expects sales growth of between 5% and 7%.