Opportunities for Advanced Technology Nonwoven Fabrics for Automotive Interior Surface and Construction Applications In NAFTA and Europe

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1 Technical, Economic, Market Analysis Management Consultants In Support of Management Decision Making 4000 Embassy Parkway 5150 North Tamiami Trail Suite 230 Newgate Tower, Suite 504 Akron, Ohio (USA) Naples, Florida 34103(USA) Telephone: Telephone: Facsimile: Facsimile: PROSPECTUS FOR A MULTICLIENT STUDY Opportunities for Advanced Technology Nonwoven Fabrics for Automotive Interior Surface and Construction Applications In NAFTA and Europe LEATHER COATED FABRICS BATTING (SHODDY, FELT) ARTIFICIAL LEATHER AUTO INTERIOR FIBERS AND TEXTILES MARKETS NONWOVEN FACINGS WOVEN/KNIT TEXTILES NEW LIGHTWEIGHT ACOUSTIC FIBERS FOAMS (COMPETITION/ COMPLEMENT) b/mydox/nw/prospectus503(3).doc May 2003

2 Opportunities for Advanced Technology Nonwoven Fabrics for Automotive Interior Surface and Construction Applications In North America and Europe I. Introduction This prospectus outlines a multi-sponsored study which will identify, analyze, and quantify opportunities for advanced technology nonwoven fabrics in automotive interior surface and construction applications in North America and Europe. The study will include assessments and quantification of: Technologies and manufacturing costs for applicable advanced nonwoven fabrics Technologies and costs for fabricating interior modules containing advanced nonwovens The inter-materials competition facing advanced nonwovens Value addition opportunities for nonwoven fabric producers Likely demand for advanced nonwovens by module in North America and Europe over the next 5-7 years Likely changes in the value chain and industry structure shifts to accommodate evolving auto industry pricing, performance and design pressures. The study will characterize the value chain from raw material through nonwoven fabrics and from cut/sew operations to fabricated interior modules. It will also provide profiles of key nonwoven producers and module fabricators in North America and Europe. II. Technology Assessment A. Nonwoven Fabrics Technologies for producing advanced nonwovens are evolving rapidly. Currently, advanced nonwoven fabrics with superior attributes are produced using direct polymerto-fabric methods such as spunmelt, and by staple processes, including needlepunched, hydroentanglement, and other methods. Improved attributes include tactile properties, conformability, durability, controlled porosity, acoustic/thermal insulation, printability, embossability, dyeability and craftsmanship. These fabrics are produced with both conventional denier and microdenier fibers. The new fabrics are likely to find many uses in a significant number of automotive interior surface and construction applications. The study will also assess the technologies used for producing advanced nonwoven fabrics. The scope of the nonwovens technology assessment portion of the proposed analysis includes: 1

3 Methods used to spin the relevant staple fibers (including several types of microdenier) Methods used to make advanced spunmelt nonwovens Methods used to treat/consolidate both staple and direct spun advanced technology fabrics including hydroentangling, needlepunching, and other methods Manufacturing cost estimates, current and expected in the future, for the key advanced technology fabrics Reviews of the technology positions of the key fiber and nonwoven manufacturers Reviews of the key patent positions. The study s technology assessment will be based on information developed from patent literature and technical/commercial papers. In addition, in a field research program staffed by John R. Starr, Inc. and Robert Eller Associates, Inc. we will interview key fiber, fabric, process equipment, and finished/converted products producers. The study will only be concerned with non-proprietary information. We will develop process flow charts for key advanced fabric-making processes and include pro-forma manufacturing cost for the most important advanced fabric types. These pro-forma cost estimates will be based on economic sized plants for each of the important fabrics. We will break down manufacturing cost estimates by raw materials, other variable costs, fixed costs, mill costs, and full cost plus return (including SG&A and ROI). All assumptions behind each pro-forma cost estimate will be clearly stated, including assumed throughput per line, raw materials charges, yield, efficiencies/uptime, fixed and working capital investment. The purpose of these analyses will be to obtain benchmark estimates of the current and likely future costs for advanced automotive nonwoven fabrics as a basis for predicting commercial market penetration rates. The study will assess performance attributes of the advanced nonwovens, to the extent possible, given the availability of materials and physical property data. We will also include overall cost/performance assessments for the key fabric types and compare them with the cost/performance of traditional nonwovens and other surface and construction materials that are currently used in automotive interior surface and construction applications. The study will evaluate the technology positions of key producers of advanced nonwovens fabrics. In addition, we will identify and summarize key producers relevant patents and patent positions. B. Module Fabrication Technologies and Economics The value chain from raw material to fabricated module is shifting in response to economic, competitive and technical pressures. The study will examine the interaction between advanced nonwovens and module manufacturing technologies to characterize how they are likely to participate in the expected value chain shift. The module manufacturing technology analysis will reflect our assessment of the likely response to 2

4 current and future economic requirements. The module process and materials technology analysis will be based on Robert Eller Associates recently completed Automotive Interior Soft Trim multiclient study. III. Market Assessment North America and Europe A. Quantification of Materials Currently Used in Automotive Interior Surface and Construction Applications The study will estimate the current (2003) and forecast future (2008) consumption of wovens, knits, and nonwovens in each significant automotive interior and construction application, by module, in NAFTA and Europe. Estimates will include, but will not be limited to the following modules: Seating Floor/Acoustics Trunkliner Headliner Door trim Dash mat Pillar trim. These estimates will provide subscribers with an interactive, quantitative database on materials currently used in automotive interior surface and construction applications, as well as provide expectations for the future. The study will identify key forces driving substitution of advanced nonwoven materials and assess their impact on materials/process technology. We will also identify and clearly illustrate constructions used in North America and Europe. B. Value Added Opportunities for Nonwoven Manufacturers The study will identify and quantify opportunities for adding value via the use of advanced nonwovens. This task will be based on module manufacturing cost models and our assessment of the competitive interface between nonwovens and competitive surface and construction materials (see study logo). IV. Competitor Assessment We will develop profiles for key producers of advanced nonwovens and Tier 1 interior module suppliers. These profiles will summarize each competitor s technology/cost, market, and competitive position. The profiles will also include assessments of the strengths/weaknesses and future outlook for each supplier in the target interiors segments in North America and Europe. 3

5 V. Insight and Perspective for Business Strategy Decisions This multi-sponsored study is an important strategic tool for subscribers. Companies that are competing in the nonwoven automotive interior surface and construction market will gain valuable information and tools necessary to understand the demands and directions of relevant applications and technologies. In addition, this study provides current market participants with information and analysis essential for successful expansion into new segments and for developing and commercializing new products that meet current unmet market needs. VI. Timing and Costs Subscribers will receive two paper copies and one CD of the study. The analysis is expected to be completed in October The subscription fee is US$7500. Fifty percent of the subscription fee is due upon your authorization to subscribe and the remainder is due upon delivery. After your acceptance, we will submit an invoice that is payable upon receipt in U.S. dollars. For an additional fee, based on the amount of professional time and travel expenses involved. we will arrange a personal follow-up meeting to discuss the study s conclusions. VII. General Provisions Sponsorship is on a non-exclusive and best-efforts basis. All information and analysis within the scope of this study, except proprietary information provided by industry sources and clients of Robert Eller Associates, Inc. and John R. Starr, Inc., is made available to subscribers. The results obtained and any other recommendations we provide are our best judgment based on the information available to us. Our liability, if any, shall not be greater than the amount due us for services rendered. John R. Starr, Inc. and Robert Eller Associates, Inc. have extensive experience and have carried out considerable management and technical consulting in the fields covered in this prospectus and expect to carry out similar work in the future. Each subscriber agrees not to circulate the final report of the study outside his/her organization, except to subsidiaries with at least 51% control. The final report becomes the subscriber's property, and no restrictions are placed on its use within his/her organization. Reproduction of the report in whole or in part for use outside the subscriber's company or subsidiaries requires prior written approval by Robert Eller Associates, Inc. and John R. Starr, Inc. Neither party will use the name of the other for advertising or promotional purposes without prior written permission. VIII. Acceptance To subscribe to this study, please sign and return one copy of this agreement (or fax a copy to or ). 4

6 Proposed Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 2. Nonwoven Technology Assessment a. Staple fibers (including microdenier) b. Spun melt nonwovens c. Treatment/consolidation methods d. Manufacturing cost estimates for key advanced nonwovens technologies e. Current/future technology comparison of key advanced nonwoven fabrics f. Nonwoven textile and fiber supplier technology positions g. Review of key patents 3. Module Fabrication Technology/Advanced Nonwoven Interaction a. Defining the value chain (resin, nonwovens production, coating, lamination, cut/sew, module fabrication) b. Intermaterials competition between incumbents and advanced nonwovens c. Module manufacturing technologies d. The advanced nonwovens/module manufacturing interface e. Current/potential future module manufacturing costs 4. Current/Future Demand Estimates for Advanced Nonwovens a. Driving forces for material substitution (technical, economic, performance) and impact on material/process substitution b. Current/future demand estimates for surface coverings/construction for Seating Floor/acoustics Trunkliner Headliner Door trim Dash mat Pillar trim 5. Competitor Assessment a. Current industry structure b. Nonwoven suppliers c. Tier 1s d. Intermediate product suppliers 6. Value Added Opportunities for Nonwovens Suppliers and Tier 1s a. Where is the value b. Value capture strategies (current/future) c. Previous/current/potential future examples d. Industry shift scenarios 5

7 Opportunities For Advanced Technology Nonwoven Fabrics For Automotive Interior Surface And Construction Applications In NAFTA And Europe Accepted by: Title: Company: Company Address: Telephone No.: Fax No.: Address: Date: B/mydox/nonwovens/prosp503(3) 6

ROBERT ELLER ASSOCIATES, INC.

MARKET ECONOMIC TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Management DECISIONS ROBERT ELLER ASSOCIATES, INC. CONSULTANTS TO THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INDUSTRIES ROLE OF NONWOVENS IN AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR SURFACE AND CONSTRUCTION