A global trade group for nonwovens and associated businesses, EDANA, recognises that the European Commission may decide to take countermeasures in reaction to the recent US tariffs on specific EU goods.
The association, which represents more than 250 businesses in the nonwovens supply chain, is keeping a careful eye on the effects of these policies and how they might affect its members.
EDANA joins others who are already voicing serious concerns about the possible unintended implications of these remedies on the EU nonwovens sector, even as it applauds the goal to protect the interests of EU industries impacted by the US tariffs.
The possible impact of these countermeasures on vital raw materials, including fluff pulp, is one particular area of worry. Because of their high rate of absorption, fluff pulp, also known as pulp-based fibres, is a naturally occurring raw material utilised in the absorbent core of absorbent hygiene products. Fluff pulp is used in incontinence products, menstruation products, and baby nappies to absorb and hold onto human fluids. Over 80 per cent of the fluff pulp imported into the EU in 2024 came from the US.
Increased production costs, higher final product pricing, supply chain interruptions, and a competitive disadvantage for European nonwoven producers in international markets are all possible outcomes of these actions.
To ensure that countermeasures do not disproportionately affect sectors that rely on vital imported raw materials, EDANA calls on the European Commission to carefully evaluate the economic impact on downstream industry.
