Sales of textile floorcoverings continue to decline in Western
Europe-with the exception of certain niche areas such as synthetic
grass for sports surfaces. In the USA and Canada, however, textile
floorcovering sales are still growing. The two markets are also very
different in their make-up. The North American market is dominated
by a handful of huge corporations whereas companies in Western
Europe are generally smaller and more regionalised. Also, in North
America tufted materials dominate-in the domestic and contract
carpet markets as well as in the automotive sector-but in Western
Europe needlepunched nonwoven materials have a much higher share.
Relatedly, polyamide (nylon) 6 and 6.6 account for about 60% of the
fibres and filament yarns used in North American floorcoverings but
in Western Europe the percentage is closer to 25%.
Ultimately, tufted polyamide materials have much more market value
than needlepunched polypropylene. This is illustrated by the fact that
the former are used as interior carpet and trunk linings in luxury cars
while the latter are employed in cheaper models. West European firms
would therefore benefit by becoming more like their North American
counterparts. One European company, Radici Group, is poised to do
so. By the end of 2005 it plans to purchase Nylstar, its major
European competitor in polyamide, making it the biggest European
player in polyamide staple fibres and filament yarns. | 
