Main > 5-minute Interview > Print
IFAI: Technical textiles can do much more for Asia
Issue date:08/07/2010
Source:Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel
by Staff Reporters
Stephen Warner: The future of this industry promises to be very exciting.
Stephen Warner: The future of this industry promises to be very exciting.
After becoming the most important region for the production and consumption of standard textiles, Asia is now progressively claiming the same status in the technical textiles field.

The US-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), one of the exhibitors in this year's ITMA Asia + CITME, is expanding its focus on the Asia market, for which the first IFAI Expo Asia will be held in Singapore next year. IFAI's president, Stephen Warner, described the current market trends to AdsaleATA.com.

Adsale： AdsaleCTA.com
Mr Warner： Stephen Warner, IFAI's president


Adsale：What was IFAI's expectation on participating in ITMA Asia this year?

Mr Warner：The purpose of IFAI exhibiting at ITMA Asia was to introduce our organization to the visitors, exhibitors and media associated with this important show. We have found that a lot of people in the technical textiles industry in Asia have heard of IFAI but did not have good knowledge about the activities that we do on behalf of the industry.

So, IFAI's objective is to raise the industry's awareness of the broader products and applications offered within the technical textiles industry. They include materials such as woven, coated, knitted and durable nonwoven fabrics as well as related material making machinery and seaming equipment. Applications for these technical textiles materials include large fabric structures, sun-shading devices, medical products, military applications and construction applications.

Adsale：Have the expectations been met?

Mr Warner：Oh yes, quite definitely! We had tremendous interest, for example, in the new IFAI Expo Asia 2011 that will be taking place in Singapore (March 22-25, 2011). This will be the first time an all-encompassing technical textiles show is organized in the Asia Pacific region. Other shows that have taken place in the past in Shanghai and Mumbai are primarily focused on disposable nonwoven products. These are fine shows but there is much more to the technical textiles industry.

Adsale：Could you describe the development of industrial fabrics market in Asia and in China?

Mr Warner：There are enormous opportunities for companies in the region. The market for medical textiles, for example, is being driven by factors such as regional population growth rates, changes in living standards and attitude to health risks. The Asia Pacific building and construction outlook is robust. Indonesia’s GDP grew by 4.5% in 2009 while much of the world was contracting during the dire economic times. Malaysia is allocating US$2.75 billion in 2010 to finance infrastructure projects, including road and bridge construction, rail facilities, ports and sea services, and airports.

Thailand's government approved US$5.9 billion for investments in infrastructure in 2010 as part of their "Stronger Thai" program. In 2009, Asian governments committed more than $300 billion for green industrial projects as part of fiscal stimulus plans. All these projects are perfect for applications of products using technical textiles.

Adsale：Are more production lines being shifted to the Asian region, like what has happened with standard textiles?

Mr Warner：Yes. Domestic regional production is growing as companies seek shorter supply lines between production and application and countries seek to support their own domestic textile manufacturing industry.

There is increasingly a much more broad range, construction and sophistication of the technical textile materials being developed in the Asia Pacific region. India, for example, is increasing its production of very sophisticated products for geosynthetics applications. Imports into the region are growing, too, most notably from China, Germany, Italy, France and Korea.

The true situation is, though, that demand cannot be filled within the region's current domestic production capabilities because there are so many unique types of textiles needed for many different types of applications. It is a complex marketplace. China, for example, is the largest exporter of technical textiles to the rest of Asia; yet, it also remains a huge importer of technical textiles for its own domestic needs in certain markets.

Adsale：What are the plans of IFAI towards Asia? Will it increase its presence in the region?

Mr Warner：Yes, we definitely intend to increase the IFAI presence in the Asia Pacific region. We are already established in Japan, China and New Zealand. We have had a very strong and enthusiastic IFAI country sector in Japan since 1992 and last year merged the formerly independent Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand into IFAI. While we do not have a formal chapter in China, it now represents the 5th largest location of IFAI members.

High demand has the technical textiles industry global and it is our mission to expand knowledge about the industry whether it is in North America, Europe or Asia. It is important to note, too, that IFAI supports the activities of national organizations already established in countries.

Adsale：Could you tell us more about the IFAI Expo Asia 2011?

Mr Warner：IFAI Expo Asia 2011 is our first major event organized for the Asia Pacific region. We have had smaller events in China, Australia, Japan and New Zealand and received very positive results. As a result of our promotion of IFAI Expo Asia 2011, we have already developed important new relationships with other organizations in the region and are establishing a valuable network of companies throughout the region involved in the technical textiles industry.

More than 22 organizations have already agreed to be the supporting organizations for IFAI Expo Asia 2011. Our goal is to work with these organizations in creating more opportunities for success for everyone involved in the industry. We estimate that among the 16 countries we have targeted for attendance at IFAI Expo Asia, there are more than 10,000 end-product companies using technical textiles in the manufacture of finished products. IFAI is not just a show organizer. We don't walk away from the industry after the show is over. We always seek to build and maintain relationships throughout the year between those in the industry. The demand for new, high-performance textiles is greater than ever before. The future of this industry promises to be very exciting.

Background of IFAI

Heaquartered in the US, IFAI has offices in China, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and France. Its members include more than 2,000 companies located in some 50 countries.

It provides a wide range of member services, including market research, consumer and government awareness of technical textile products, development and education; publishing; and organizing industry gatherings, such as the largest technical textiles event in North America, IFAI Expo Americas.

The expansion of IFAI-organized events into Asia and Europe is a key initiative for the organization. However, the overall objectives are to provide a marketplace for the exchange of information to those within the industry and to raise public awareness of the contributions of technical textile products make in today's society.
We are collecting readers' comment for improving our website. If you are willing to help, please CLICK HERE to complete a survey. Your comments matter.
Write a mail to the editor : cta.ata.edit@adsale.com.hk
Share to twitter qq sina sohu 163 facebook
Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department.