The volume of nonwoven material manufactured worldwide experienced an annualized average growth rate of 7.5% for the years of 1997-2007 to reach 9 million tonnes. A large portion of that volume was comprised of disposable wipes, which in 2007 constituted 617,000 tonnes - 70% of which was consumed by North America and Europe alone. Specifically in North America, the market share of wipes in the nonwovens market has increased from 8% of the total volume in 1997 to 14% in 2007, driven mainly by increasing consumer appeal. The consumer sector now accounts for almost 70% of annual sales (3.2 billion), equating to an annual growth rate of almost 15% (1) - 50% which could be classified as disposable hygiene.
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