Global Technical Textiles Business Update, 2nd quarter 2010
Consumption of nonwovens in China has been forecast to rise by an average of 12% a year in volume terms between 2008 and 2013.
Derma Sciences has established an international subsidiary called Derma Sciences Europe. Zoltek Companies has set up a subsidiary, called Zoltek Automotive, to accelerate its development of lightweight carbon fibres for the automotive industry. The Hohenstein Institute has opened an office in the Dominican Republic.
Alexium is constructing a new surface treatment facility in Greer, South Carolina, USA, while Tredegar Film Products is building a new plant in India for the production of films for the hygiene market, and SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers is planning to build a carbon fibre manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, USA.
In other developments, SwissTex Winterthur has acquired RITM, one of its former members. Advanced Fabric Technologies has secured the rights to Auxetix’s Zetix fabric technologies for blast mitigation and ballistic protection in North America. Shanghai Shenjiu Textile Science and Technology (SSTS) and Fibretronic have entered into a Chinese distribution agreement worth US$500,000.
Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has reported a decline in its sales from continuing operations in 2009/10 but its gross profits were up. SGL’s sales were up in the first quarter of 2010 but its earnings were down. Rieter Textile Systems has reported lower sales for the whole of 2009 but the company is staying positive as orders taken in the second half of the year picked up significantly.
In other news, Fibertex is expanding its capacity in Asia by investing in a new nonwovens line at its plant in Malaysia. Daimler and Toray Industries are working together to mass produce automotive parts made from carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs). Roctest and TenCate Geosynthetics will jointly develop a unique monitor for geotextiles.
Meanwhile, Fiberweb and Chisso are conducting a feasibility study with a view to setting up a spunbond nonwovens joint venture company in China, while Devan Group has appointed a new management team as part of its plan to develop a specialised portfolio of chemical technologies for the global textile industry.
Derma Sciences has established an international subsidiary called Derma Sciences Europe. Zoltek Companies has set up a subsidiary, called Zoltek Automotive, to accelerate its development of lightweight carbon fibres for the automotive industry. The Hohenstein Institute has opened an office in the Dominican Republic.
Alexium is constructing a new surface treatment facility in Greer, South Carolina, USA, while Tredegar Film Products is building a new plant in India for the production of films for the hygiene market, and SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers is planning to build a carbon fibre manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, USA.
In other developments, SwissTex Winterthur has acquired RITM, one of its former members. Advanced Fabric Technologies has secured the rights to Auxetix’s Zetix fabric technologies for blast mitigation and ballistic protection in North America. Shanghai Shenjiu Textile Science and Technology (SSTS) and Fibretronic have entered into a Chinese distribution agreement worth US$500,000.
Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has reported a decline in its sales from continuing operations in 2009/10 but its gross profits were up. SGL’s sales were up in the first quarter of 2010 but its earnings were down. Rieter Textile Systems has reported lower sales for the whole of 2009 but the company is staying positive as orders taken in the second half of the year picked up significantly.
In other news, Fibertex is expanding its capacity in Asia by investing in a new nonwovens line at its plant in Malaysia. Daimler and Toray Industries are working together to mass produce automotive parts made from carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs). Roctest and TenCate Geosynthetics will jointly develop a unique monitor for geotextiles.
Meanwhile, Fiberweb and Chisso are conducting a feasibility study with a view to setting up a spunbond nonwovens joint venture company in China, while Devan Group has appointed a new management team as part of its plan to develop a specialised portfolio of chemical technologies for the global textile industry.
SUMMARY
ACQUISITIONS
SwissTex Winterthur, a former Rieter Group Member, has acquired RITM, another former member
BUSINESS NEWS
Advanced Fabric Technologies has secured the rights to Auxetix’s Zetix fabric technologies for blast mitigation and ballistic protection in North America
Window protection
Ballistic fragment protection for military tents
Ballistic camouflage nets
Spall liners to prevent spalling in vehicles, ships, aircraft and buildings
Enhancements for body armour
Derma Sciences has established a European subsidiary
The Hohenstein Institute has opened an office in the Dominican Republic
Management changes have been made at Devan Chemicals
Shanghai Shenjiu Textile Science and Technology (SSTS) will distribute Fibretronic products in China
Zoltek has formed a subsidiary to exploit the potential of the automotive industry
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has reported lower sales but higher profits
Rieter believes that the crisis in the textile machinery industry is past its worst
SGL’s sales were up but its earnings were down in the first quarter of 2010
INVESTMENTS
Alexium will open a surface treatment facility in Greer, South Carolina, USA
Fibertex is expanding its nonwovens capacity to serve the Asian hygiene market
SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers will build a US plant to make carbon fibres for BMW’s megacity electric powered car
Tredegar Film Products is building a new production plant in India
JOINT VENTURES
Daimler and Toray aim to mass produce composite car components
Fiberweb and Chisso are exploring the feasibility of a joint venture in China
Roctest and TenCate Geosynthetics will jointly develop GeoDetect fibre optic sensors to monitor civil engineering structures
MARKET FORECASTS
Nonwovens consumption in China will increase by 12% a year
ACQUISITIONS
SwissTex Winterthur, a former Rieter Group Member, has acquired RITM, another former member
BUSINESS NEWS
Advanced Fabric Technologies has secured the rights to Auxetix’s Zetix fabric technologies for blast mitigation and ballistic protection in North America
Window protection
Ballistic fragment protection for military tents
Ballistic camouflage nets
Spall liners to prevent spalling in vehicles, ships, aircraft and buildings
Enhancements for body armour
Derma Sciences has established a European subsidiary
The Hohenstein Institute has opened an office in the Dominican Republic
Management changes have been made at Devan Chemicals
Shanghai Shenjiu Textile Science and Technology (SSTS) will distribute Fibretronic products in China
Zoltek has formed a subsidiary to exploit the potential of the automotive industry
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has reported lower sales but higher profits
Rieter believes that the crisis in the textile machinery industry is past its worst
SGL’s sales were up but its earnings were down in the first quarter of 2010
INVESTMENTS
Alexium will open a surface treatment facility in Greer, South Carolina, USA
Fibertex is expanding its nonwovens capacity to serve the Asian hygiene market
SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers will build a US plant to make carbon fibres for BMW’s megacity electric powered car
Tredegar Film Products is building a new production plant in India
JOINT VENTURES
Daimler and Toray aim to mass produce composite car components
Fiberweb and Chisso are exploring the feasibility of a joint venture in China
Roctest and TenCate Geosynthetics will jointly develop GeoDetect fibre optic sensors to monitor civil engineering structures
MARKET FORECASTS
Nonwovens consumption in China will increase by 12% a year
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: TenCate GeoDetect fabric showing its sensor cables
Figure 1: TenCate GeoDetect fabric showing its sensor cables
