09.11.23
Emsdetten, Germany
www.twe-group.com
2022 Nonwovens Sales: $480 million
Key Personnel
Jörg Ortmeier, CEO; Ralf Berens, CCO
Plants
Germany, France, Belgium, U.S., China
Processes
Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets
Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning
Increased demand for hygiene products and expansion into new market areas helped sales reach $480 million for TWE Group. In 2022, the company entered the building market for acoustical applications and introduced successful new product innovations in the field of fine air filtration such as ParaHyd for the filter classes EPM1 and EPM2.5, which played a significant role in the field of filtration.
Automotives, particularly in the U.S. continues to be a key driver of success for TWE Group. The Emsdetter, Germany-based company has U.S. sites in Waco, TX, High Point, NC and Indianapolis, IN. This market has lately been characterized by evolving consumer preferences and stricter environmental regulations, meaning suppliers have been challenged with creating materials that are not only more sustainable and technologically advanced but also lighter in weight. In 2022 and 2023, TWE’s focus on lightweight and more eco-friendly solutions has aligned well with the evolving needs of the automotive industry, according to CEO Jörg Ortmeier. “This strategic approach enabled us to seize opportunities in the U.S. automotive sector and achieve high growth rates,” he adds.
In recent months, TWE has worked to modernize its manufacturing sites in Europe, the U.S. and Asia with an aim to enhance efficiency and increase production capacity to effectively meet the growing demand for its products while maintaining a competitive edge. In Europe, TWE has added a line to enhance the lamination processes and create more sophisticated and advanced multilayer products. This investment aligns with TWE’s dedication to innovation and maintaining its leadership in the industry.
In the U.S., where TWE has added a new needlepunch line to produce high quality products in the field of exterior automotive parts efficiently, and in China, the company has constructed a new line for its highly successful CaliWeb Material, a high-performance nonwoven that replaces foam and provides benefits such as enhanced climatization and low VOCs. This reflects the company’s commitment to providing environmentally-friendly cutting-edge solutions to our customers and expanding its capabilities in the Chinese market.
“All these investments serve the purpose of bolstering our capabilities across different regions. By modernizing our facilities and introducing new lines and capacities, we are well-prepared to address the increasing demand for our products,” Ortmeier says.
Within the hygiene market, another strong market for TWE, demand for softer, more sustainable products has led to investment in research and development to create innovative materials that meet these criteria while also focusing environmental consciousness. Last year, the company said it would add an air though bonding line at its site in Belgium, which was formerly owned by Libeltex. It also continues to invest in upgrading the capabilities of existing production lines. Most recently, the company upgraded an ATB line, constructed in 2019 to handle lower material weights at super high speeds.
Within this business area, TWE has also maintained its commitment to investigating raw materials that are not reliant on plastics, aligning with its sustainability objectives. One notable success is the rePEat product line, which has been developed using materials that can be used more than once, reducing the environmental impact of single-use products. The “rePEaT” brand also encompasses a variety of offerings, including biodegradable nonwovens, compostable products and materials crafted from recycled (social) fibers.
TWE was able to develop these products through a collaboration with Plastic Bank, a world leader, that empowers communities to use plastic waste as currency for access to secure income and life-improving benefits.
TWE is also expanding the global reach of its hygiene products through an Indian-based joint venture announced earlier this year.
Noting that India has seen remarkable nonwovens growth in recent years, particularly in the absorbent hygiene market, TWE has partnered with OBT, an Indian textile company, to set up a new manufacturing facility exclusively dedicated to nonwovens for the health and hygiene sector. The venture aims to contribute to the continued expansion of this growing market.
“This partnership with OBT harnesses our synergistic strengths and extensive industry expertise,” Ortmeier adds. “We are confident that it will open up new avenues, foster innovation, and generate enduring value for our customers and stakeholders.”
www.twe-group.com
2022 Nonwovens Sales: $480 million
Key Personnel
Jörg Ortmeier, CEO; Ralf Berens, CCO
Plants
Germany, France, Belgium, U.S., China
Processes
Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets
Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning
Increased demand for hygiene products and expansion into new market areas helped sales reach $480 million for TWE Group. In 2022, the company entered the building market for acoustical applications and introduced successful new product innovations in the field of fine air filtration such as ParaHyd for the filter classes EPM1 and EPM2.5, which played a significant role in the field of filtration.
Automotives, particularly in the U.S. continues to be a key driver of success for TWE Group. The Emsdetter, Germany-based company has U.S. sites in Waco, TX, High Point, NC and Indianapolis, IN. This market has lately been characterized by evolving consumer preferences and stricter environmental regulations, meaning suppliers have been challenged with creating materials that are not only more sustainable and technologically advanced but also lighter in weight. In 2022 and 2023, TWE’s focus on lightweight and more eco-friendly solutions has aligned well with the evolving needs of the automotive industry, according to CEO Jörg Ortmeier. “This strategic approach enabled us to seize opportunities in the U.S. automotive sector and achieve high growth rates,” he adds.
In recent months, TWE has worked to modernize its manufacturing sites in Europe, the U.S. and Asia with an aim to enhance efficiency and increase production capacity to effectively meet the growing demand for its products while maintaining a competitive edge. In Europe, TWE has added a line to enhance the lamination processes and create more sophisticated and advanced multilayer products. This investment aligns with TWE’s dedication to innovation and maintaining its leadership in the industry.
In the U.S., where TWE has added a new needlepunch line to produce high quality products in the field of exterior automotive parts efficiently, and in China, the company has constructed a new line for its highly successful CaliWeb Material, a high-performance nonwoven that replaces foam and provides benefits such as enhanced climatization and low VOCs. This reflects the company’s commitment to providing environmentally-friendly cutting-edge solutions to our customers and expanding its capabilities in the Chinese market.
“All these investments serve the purpose of bolstering our capabilities across different regions. By modernizing our facilities and introducing new lines and capacities, we are well-prepared to address the increasing demand for our products,” Ortmeier says.
Within the hygiene market, another strong market for TWE, demand for softer, more sustainable products has led to investment in research and development to create innovative materials that meet these criteria while also focusing environmental consciousness. Last year, the company said it would add an air though bonding line at its site in Belgium, which was formerly owned by Libeltex. It also continues to invest in upgrading the capabilities of existing production lines. Most recently, the company upgraded an ATB line, constructed in 2019 to handle lower material weights at super high speeds.
Within this business area, TWE has also maintained its commitment to investigating raw materials that are not reliant on plastics, aligning with its sustainability objectives. One notable success is the rePEat product line, which has been developed using materials that can be used more than once, reducing the environmental impact of single-use products. The “rePEaT” brand also encompasses a variety of offerings, including biodegradable nonwovens, compostable products and materials crafted from recycled (social) fibers.
TWE was able to develop these products through a collaboration with Plastic Bank, a world leader, that empowers communities to use plastic waste as currency for access to secure income and life-improving benefits.
TWE is also expanding the global reach of its hygiene products through an Indian-based joint venture announced earlier this year.
Noting that India has seen remarkable nonwovens growth in recent years, particularly in the absorbent hygiene market, TWE has partnered with OBT, an Indian textile company, to set up a new manufacturing facility exclusively dedicated to nonwovens for the health and hygiene sector. The venture aims to contribute to the continued expansion of this growing market.
“This partnership with OBT harnesses our synergistic strengths and extensive industry expertise,” Ortmeier adds. “We are confident that it will open up new avenues, foster innovation, and generate enduring value for our customers and stakeholders.”