Global Technical Textiles Business Update, 2nd quarter 2009

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.