Global Technical Textiles Business Update, 2nd quarter 2009

Publication Date	October 2009
Publisher	Textiles Intelligence
Product Type	Report
Pages	29
ISBN Number	978-1-849780-08-7
Product Code	TXI00088

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Summary

Recent acquisitions in the global technical textiles sector include the purchase of Jackson Products by Kimberly-Clark and the takeover of JKT by Mölnlycke 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.

Content

SUMMARY
ACQUISITIONS
- Kimberly-Clark has bought Jackson Products, a provider of safety products
- Poland's JKT has been acquired by Mölnlycke 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 building integrated 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