09.26.10
The Consumer Fabrics Division of London, U.K.-based Fiberweb and the Fibers and Fabrics Division of Japanese nonwovens producer Chisso Corporation will move forward with a Chinese-based joint venture, the two companies have announced.
The joint venture will manufacture spunbond nonwovens in China. Last week's revelation follows a December 2009 announcement that the two companies were conducting a joint feasibility study examining the possibility of such an operation.The venture will focus on serving producers of disposable hygiene and personal care products and will benefit from the long-standing and close relationships both partners enjoy with leading customers in this rapidly-developing market.
The joint venture will manufacture spunbond nonwovens in China. Last week's revelation follows a December 2009 announcement that the two companies were conducting a joint feasibility study examining the possibility of such an operation.The venture will focus on serving producers of disposable hygiene and personal care products and will benefit from the long-standing and close relationships both partners enjoy with leading customers in this rapidly-developing market.
Both Fiberweb and Chisso Corporation consider the personal hygiene market in China and in other Asian markets to be of strategic importance in the future development of their nonwovens businesses.The next phase of the project will be to finalize the joint venture structure and financing over the coming months.
Fiberweb has been active in the Chinese market since 2001 with an advanced airlaid operation in Tianjin and operates ajoint venture involving spunmelt technology with Fitesa in the Americas as well as several wholly-owned spunmelt lines in Europe. Meanwhile, Chisso's spunbond operation, based largely on its bicomponent technology, has largely been focused in Japan.