Global technical textiles business update, September 2016
This report provides a round-up of recent corporate developments in the global technical textiles sector, including: acquisitions, divestments and mergers; business news; closures; financial news; investments; joint ventures; and markets. The report contains news from the following innovative companies and organisations: Arville, Aspen Aerogels, BASF, Electronics for Imaging (EFI), Epson Italia, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA), FiberVisions, Fratelli Robustelli, Grand View Research, JNC, Johns Manville, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Lenzing Group, Mogul, Olbo & Mehler Tex (OMT), Optitex, Pegas Nonwovens, Sandler, SCA (Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget), Suominen Corporation, Synteen & L?ckenhaus (SL), The Freedonia Group, the US Army, and the United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI).
SUMMARY
ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTMENTS AND MERGERS
Electronics for Imaging has acquired the apparel industry software developer Optitex
Epson Italia is to acquire Fratelli Robustelli, a manufacturer of digital printers for textiles
Technical textile companies Olbo & Mehler and Synteen & L?ckenhaus are to merge their business operations
BUSINESS NEWS
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has received a contract from the US Department of Defense to
develop high performance fibres for use in apparel for protecting soldiers
Most wet wipes are compliant with guidelines relating to flushability labelling, according to a
survey
The United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) has endorsed the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement
CLOSURES
SCA has closed its tissue production plant in Spain
FINANCIAL NEWS
Lenzing increased its earnings in the first quarter of 2016
New organisational structure
Capital expenditure
Outlook for 2016
INVESTMENTS
Arville has completed a ?1 mn upgrade at one of its coating plants
Johns Manville is to invest in glass fibre nonwovens in Wertheim, Germany
Mogul is investing in hydroentanglement technology in Turkey and the USA
Pegas has opted to locate a new production line in the Czech Republic
Sandler has opened its fifth production line in Schwarzenbach/Saale, Germany
Suominen is adding new production capabilities at its wet-laid nonwovens plant in Bethune,
South Carolina, USA
JOINT VENTURES
Aspen Aerogels and BASF are to develop next-generation aerogel materials
JNC and FiberVisions are to invest in a new bicomponent fibre line in China
MARKETS
The global market for automotive textiles will grow by 3.2% a year between 2015 and 2024
US demand for coated fabrics is set to exceed 540 mn m2 in 2020
ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTMENTS AND MERGERS
Electronics for Imaging has acquired the apparel industry software developer Optitex
Epson Italia is to acquire Fratelli Robustelli, a manufacturer of digital printers for textiles
Technical textile companies Olbo & Mehler and Synteen & L?ckenhaus are to merge their business operations
BUSINESS NEWS
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has received a contract from the US Department of Defense to
develop high performance fibres for use in apparel for protecting soldiers
Most wet wipes are compliant with guidelines relating to flushability labelling, according to a
survey
The United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) has endorsed the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement
CLOSURES
SCA has closed its tissue production plant in Spain
FINANCIAL NEWS
Lenzing increased its earnings in the first quarter of 2016
New organisational structure
Capital expenditure
Outlook for 2016
INVESTMENTS
Arville has completed a ?1 mn upgrade at one of its coating plants
Johns Manville is to invest in glass fibre nonwovens in Wertheim, Germany
Mogul is investing in hydroentanglement technology in Turkey and the USA
Pegas has opted to locate a new production line in the Czech Republic
Sandler has opened its fifth production line in Schwarzenbach/Saale, Germany
Suominen is adding new production capabilities at its wet-laid nonwovens plant in Bethune,
South Carolina, USA
JOINT VENTURES
Aspen Aerogels and BASF are to develop next-generation aerogel materials
JNC and FiberVisions are to invest in a new bicomponent fibre line in China
MARKETS
The global market for automotive textiles will grow by 3.2% a year between 2015 and 2024
US demand for coated fabrics is set to exceed 540 mn m2 in 2020
