Abstract
Recent acquisitions in the global technical textiles sector include the
purchase of Jackson Products by Kimberly-Clark and the takeover of JKT by
Molnlycke Health Care. Also, ConvaTec has sold its Unomedical Wound Care and
Ophthalmics business to Aspen Surgical Products Holding.
In business news, Ahlstrom has temporarily laid off workers with the aim of
reducing production in line with current demand. A Kuwaiti government unit has
purchased a number of LifeShirt Personnel Management Systems from RAE Systems
to monitor first responders. Lenzing has hiked its fibre prices while also
announcing management changes in its Nonwoven Fibers business, and Polymer
Group Inc (PGI) has made plans to close its manufacturing plant in North
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Technology Marketing Inc (TMI) has set up an
agreement with Zyvex Performance Materials (ZPM) to distribute the latter' s
Epovex and Arovex carbon nanotube-based products, and TenCate Protective
Fabrics has won an order from Propper International for its Defender M fabric.
Texas Tech University and Enercon Industries, a supplier of plasma treating
systems, have joined forces to develop plasma technology for nonwovens and
technical textiles, and the US military has awarded contracts to Solar
Integrated Technologies for the supply and installation of integrated
photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing systems for buildings at US military bases.
In investment news, a state-of-the-art fabric laboratory has been opened at
Texas Tech University to develop protective products. Elmarco and Oerlikon
Neumag have made plans to deliver new nanofibre nonwovens manufacturing lines
to Russia while Fiberweb has made plans to invest in new meltblown capacity at
its facility in Biesheim, France. Freudenberg has opened a plant in the UK for
making activated carbon adsorptive products while Nonwoven Solutions has
invested in a medical grade needlepunched nonwovens line. Polymer Group Inc
(PGI) has completed the installation of a new spunbond line in Mexico, and
Sanitars has started up a third hydroentanglement line at its plant in Italy.
In the meantime, P2i has opened an office and appointed a regional sales
manager in the USA to increase its business in the country.
Recently formed joint ventures include a partnership between FiberVisions and
Tel Rad Cuyo (TRC) to produce and sell polypropylene fibres in South America.
Fiberweb and Fitesa have established a 50/50 joint venture to supply hygiene
fabrics in the Americas, and ZPM has teamed up with PolyOne Corporation to
develop carbon nanotube-filled polymer materials.
In market news, global consumption of hygiene absorbent products grew to 386
bn units in 2008, and the Indian government has been advised to focus on more
areas in technical textiles.
Table of Contents
- SUMMARY
- ACQUISITIONS
- Kimberly-Clark has bought Jackson Products, a provider of safety products
- Poland' s JKT has been acquired by Molnlycke Health Care
- BUSINESS NEWS
- Ahlstrom is seeking to make further savings by temporarily laying off
employees at its Karhula glass fibre plant
- A Kuwaiti government unit has bought a number of LifeShirt Systems to
monitor first responders
- Lenzing has hiked its fibre prices
- Management changes have been announced within Lenzing Nonwoven Fibers
- Polymer Group Inc (PGI) plans to close its North Little Rock
manufacturing plant
- Technology Marketing Inc (TMI) will distribute Epovex and Arovex carbon
nanotube-based products
- developed by Zyvex Performance Materials (ZPM)
- TenCate Protective Fabrics USA has won an order from the US Marines
- Texas Tech University and Enercon have joined forces to develop plasma
technology for nonwovens and technical textiles
- The US military has awarded contracts to solar integrated technologies
for the supply of buildingintegrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing systems
- DIVESTMENTS
- ConvaTec has sold its Unomedical Wound Care and Ophthalmics business to
Aspen Surgical Products Holding
- FINANCIAL RESULTS
- Sales and profits at TenCate increased substantially in 2008 but
uncertainty lies ahead
- Investments
- Outlook for 2009
- INVESTMENTS
- A new nonwovens and advanced materials laboratory at the Institute of
Environmental and Human
- Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech University will help researchers to develop
protective products
- Elmarco and Oerlikon Neumag plan to deliver new nanofibre nonwovens
manufacturing lines to Russia
- Fiberweb plans to invest in new meltblown capacity
- Freudenberg Nonwovens has opened a plant for making activated carbon
adsorptive products in the
- UK
- NonWoven Solutions has invested in a medical grade needlepunched
nonwovens line
- P2i is looking to expand its plasma coating business in the USA
- Polymer Group Inc (PGI) has completed the installation of a new spunbond
line in Mexico
- Sanitars has started up a third hydroentanglement line
- JOINT VENTURES
- FiberVisions has joined forces with Tel Rad Cuyo (TRC) to exploit the
South American market
- Fiberweb and Fitesa have established a 50/50 joint venture to supply
hygiene fabrics for use in diapers and feminine care products in the Americas
- Zyvex Performance Materials (ZPM) has formed a joint venture with
PolyOne to develop carbon nanotube-filled polymer materials
- MARKETS
- Consultants are urging the Indian government to focus on more areas in
technical textiles
- Global consumption of hygiene absorbent products grew to 386 bn units in
2008
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