CELLULOSE MEDIA AND WET-LAID NONWOVENS
(Forecast 2004 - 2010)

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July, 2003

By Lutz Bergmann
FILTER MEDIA CONSULTING, INC.

Copyright © 2003 FILTER MEDIA CONSULTING, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS

3

GENERAL COMMENTS

5

Mercerizaton 8

8

MARKETS FOR CELLULOSE FILTER MEDIA 9

9

Automotive Engine Filtration 11

11

Vacuum Cleaner Bags 13

13

Coffee Filters 17

17

Tea Bags 18

18

Laboratory Filter Paper 20

20

Industrial Applications 21

21

MARKETS FOR CELLULOSE FIBERS IN FILTRATION 23

23

WORLDWIDE CELLULOSE FIBERS FOR FILTRATION 24

24

Cigarette Filters 25

25

WET-LAID NONWOVENS 30

30

TEA BAGS 31

31

MEMBRAND BACKING 34

34

BEVERAGES, WINE, BEER, MINERAL WATER, ETC. 37

37

EDIBLE OILS, COOKING OIL 38

38

SWIMMING POOLS 41

41

HVAC 41

41

HEPA/ULPA 41

41

AIR PURIFIER 42

42

DISCLAIMER 44

44

These are the markets and applications in which cellulose fibers are being currently used in filtration:

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We believe that worldwide for filtration, approximately 290,000 - 300,000 tons of softwood and hardwood cellulose fibers are being consumed, approximately 80% are from North America and Europe. This is based on total consumption of at least 350,000 tons of media, of which 20% is represented by different resins and other synthetic fibers.

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After carefully consulting with 4 - 5 of the largest users of cellulose fibers, we concluded that tons are mercerized and the balance and majority is based on non-mercerized cellulose.

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We have found that particularly the large manufacturer of cellulose media depends on consistent quality, which is extremely important to them. They do not purchase cellulose fibers on the spot market and do not seem to easily change suppliers.

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Depending on applications and also companies, 60% of all cellulose fibers for filtration is based on Southern Pine softwood and approximately 40% on hardwood. This is, however, highly depending on media suppliers and end-use market applications.

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Air porosity or air permeability is crucial for applications like automotive engine paper, but such characteristics is entirely depending on fiber mixture and not 'bale' related.

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Bleached fiber is, for instance, used to a larger extent in Europe, particularly for automotive engine filter media as compared to North America. European automotive filter element suppliers and the automotive industry prefer 'white' paper.

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Prices have increased since we started our investigation in mid February 2003, when non-mercerized cellulose fiber was mentioned in the ton ranges. Prices had increased by mid March to at least ton for the same fiber. Mercerized fiber was mentioned to cost ton and is now at least ton higher. The strong Euro had also some bearing on prices quoted in U.S. dollars. Obviously, bleached fiber is, basically sold at the same price, but we were told that cotton linters, specialty pulps and synthetic fibers are getting increasingly more attention, but also increase the raw material price base.

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We have a list of manufacturers of cellulose filtration media worldwide enclosed with this report. Recent mergers have reduced the numbers of companies competing, particularly in Europe, but also in North America. We are also discussing major markets in this report.

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