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.
| 
View Cart
