• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Applications
    • Technology
    • Market
    • Other
    • Top 40
    • Buyers Guide
    • Hygiene Directory
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Applications
  • Technology
  • Market
  • Other
  • Top 40
  • Buyers Guide
  • Hygiene Directory
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    Southeast Asia Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Fluff Pulp Market Faces Year of Transition

    Roofing & Construction Report

    Investment Continues for Needlepunch Nonwovens

    Sustainability Report

    Spunmelt Nonwovens Update
    Company Cameo
    Financial News
    Machinery Equipment
    New Products
    Nonwovens News
    Patent Review
    People in the News
    Supplier News
    Top News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Weekly Recap: Kimberly-Clark to Expand Diaper, Wipes Production in Brazil; The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart & More

    Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders

    Freudenberg to Present Battery Pack and Liquid Absorbers at Battery Show

    The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart

    Thinx Launches Moist Panties Campaign
    Nonwovens Insights
    Online Exclusives
    Adult Incontinence
    Absorbent Core
    Antimicrobials
    Apparel
    Automotive and Transportation
    Face Masks
    Chemicals / Adhesives
    Construction
    Contract Services
    Diaper, Baby
    Electronics
    Feminine Hygiene
    Fibers
    Filtration
    Flame Retardance
    Geotextile / Agrotextile
    Home Products
    Hygiene Film/Components
    Industrial / Institutional
    Inspection / Quality Control
    Machinery and Equipment
    Medical
    Wipes

    Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders

    The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart

    Thinx Launches Moist Panties Campaign

    Vegeto Turns Milkweed Fibers into Nonwovens

    INDA Names Three Finalists for WOW Innovation Award
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunbond/Spunmelt
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Executive Talks: 5K Fibres' President Doug Brown

    Borealis, Grabher Partner to Recycle Face Masks

    Glatfelter, Blue Ocean Closures Receives Sustainability Award at IDEA22

    Investment Continues for Needlepunch Nonwovens

    Murtra Nonwovens
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Sub-Saharan Africa’s Specialist Nonwovens and Fibers Capability is Growing Steadily

    Southeast Asian 5 Nonwoven Capacity and Demand Development

    Chinese Baby Diaper Brands

    Retail Disposable Hygiene in Southeast Asia and China: Growth Outlook, Challenges, Opportunities

    Albarrie Installs Stenter
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Flushability
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    Vegeto Turns Milkweed Fibers into Nonwovens

    Rif care Launches Hemp-Based Period Products

    Boots to Prohibit Sale of Plastic-Based Wipes

    Dyper Partners with rePurpose Global to Remove Nearly 100,000 KG of Plastic Waste from Environment

    Borealis, Grabher Partner to Recycle Face Masks
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Shemesh Automation

    WEIMA America, Inc.

    Alliance Machine and Engraving

    Investkonsult Sweden AB

    Robinson, Inc.
    Brands
    Brand Owners
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • Southeast Asia Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Add Your Company
    • Applications
      • Absorbent Core
      • Adult Incontinence
      • Antimicrobials
      • Apparel
      • Automotive and Transportation
      • Chemicals / Adhesives
      • Construction
      • Contract Services
      • Diaper, Baby
      • Electronics
      • Feminine Hygiene
      • Fibers
      • Filtration
      • Flame Retardance
      • Geotextile / Agrotextile
      • Home Products
      • Hygiene Film/Components
      • Industrial / Institutional
      • Inspection / Quality Control
      • Machinery and Equipment
      • Medical
      • Wipes
      • Face Masks
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
      • Spunbond/Spunmelt
    • Market
      • China
      • Eastern Europe/Russia
      • India
      • Middle East/North Africa
      • North America
      • Pacific Rim
      • South/Central America
      • Turkey
      • Western Europe
    • Other
      • Associations
      • Contracts / Awards
      • Education
      • Facilities / Capacity
      • Green / Sustainability
      • Legal / Regulatory
      • Market Data
      • Mergers and Acquisitions
      • Product Improvement / Innovation
      • R&D/Basic Research
      • Shows / Events
      • Flushability
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Sales Reports

    Suominen Corporation

    ...

    Related CONTENT
    • Toray Plastics (America) to Provide Rooftop Space for a Solar Panel Installation
    • Ontex to Cease Manufacturing in Mayen, Germany
    • Tufropes to Install Spunlace Line in India
    • Kimberly-Clark Adds to Board
    • Ahlstrom-Munksjö Earns Fifth Consecutive EcoVadis Gold Rating
    09.09.14
    Suominen Corporation
    Helsinki, Finland
    www.suominen.fi
    2014 Nonwovens Sales: $442 million

    Key Personnel

    Nina Kopola, president & CEO and acting senior vice president, Convenience; Tapio Engstrom, senior vice president, CFO; Lynda Kelly, senior vice president, Care; Hannu Sivula, senior vice president, HR; Mimoun Saim, senior vice president, Operations EMEA; Larry Kinn, senior vice president, Operations Americas; Margareta Huldén, vice president, R&D; Saara Soderberg, vice president, marketing and product management; Roberto Pedoja, vice president, Tech. & Investments; Dan Dunbar, vice president, Sourcing, Timo Rautakorpi, vice president, CIO; Anu Heinonen, vice president, Corp. Communications & Investor Relations

    Plants
    Bethune, SC; Green Bay, WI; Windsor Locks, CT; Paulínia, Brazil; Cressa, Italy; Mozzate, Italy; Nakkila, Finland; Alicante, Spain

    Processes
    Spunlace, thermal bonded, carded, hydroentangled, SPC

    Major Markets
    Wiping, medical, hygiene

    Sales continued to climb upward at Suominen as the company initiates its ambitious growth strategy across all of its businesses. The largest supplier of nonwoven substrates to the global wipes market, Suominen is currently underway with one large-scale investment in North America and smaller endeavors in Spain, Finland and Brazil to help support growth in all markets–in wipes, medical and hygiene applications.

    In 2014, the company’s sales hit a record €402 million. Suominen’s executives have stated that through successful execution of its strategy, Suominen would become a company with net sales of roughly €500 million by the end of 2017. To realize this scenario, the company seeks to increase both its sales volumes and the share of products with higher value-added in its portfolio.

    “It is good to keep in mind that we indeed grew slightly faster than the market in 2014, even though our main focus was elsewhere—in corporate transformation, building of shared company culture and improving profitability,” says president & CEO Nina Kopola. “The outcome of our diligent work to execute strategy and transform the company was also reflected in Suominen’s operating profit, which increased to €26.9 million.”

    One of the key milestones for Suominen in 2014 was the finalization of the acquisition of a Paulínia facility in Brazil from Ahlstrom, a deal that was announced along with the rest of the acquisition of Ahlstrom’s Home & Personal business in 2011 but took longer to execute than the businesses in North America and Europe. Already, Suominen is underway with a plan to expand this plant’s product offering to strengthen its position in the South American wipes market and to enable supply also to medical and hygiene markets.

    “The country’s economy may struggle today but we do see Brazil and the entire South American market as an attractive market offering promising opportunities for growth,” Kopola says. “The acquisition provided us a foothold in this huge market region and it further enhances our capability to serve our global customers.”

    In new product news in this region, Suominen introduced Fibrella Perf, a new range of apertured substrates for the South American medical markets.

    Suominen is investing considerably in North America, which remains Suominen’s largest market—accounting for some 60% of sales—with plants in Connecticut, Wisconsin and South Carolina. In May, the company announced it would add a new wetlaid line in Bethune, SC, initially targeting household, industrial and flushable wipes market. The installation of the new line, which represents the biggest single investment in Suominen’s growth investment program, will be complete in late 2016.

    Increasing Suominen’s share in key markets and growing the share of products with higher value-added materials in its portfolio are at the heart of company’s strategy for coming years. Moreover, Suominen is also seeking growth through adding capacity.
    One area of considerable focus is flushable nonwovens. In addition to the new line under construction, the company added capacity in this segment in Windsor Locks, CT in 2014. Moreover, Suominen has expanded its manufacturing co-operation with Ahlstrom’s Ställdalen plant in Sweden and continues to allot considerable research and development efforts to this market.

    Efforts made in product development bore fruit in January 2015 when Suominen launched the next generation product to its flushable category. Hydraspun Dispersible Plus is a substrate that breaks up more than three times faster than the standard Hydraspun Dispersible and clearly passes the INDA/EDANA 3rd edition flushability assessment test protocol. Suominen has filed a patent for the range of products.  

    “There is a strong consumer demand for flushable products that supports the favorable market development,” says Saara Soderberg, vice president, Marketing & Product Management. “I believe the best way for the industry to secure the business in the future is to comply with the flushability assessment test protocol and to support consumers by educating them on what is flush-friendly and what not to flush. We are confident that our range of flushable nonwovens, which we keep developing, continuously meets not only consumers’ needs but also the expectations of the municipal water systems,” she adds.

    Following the divestment of its Codi Wipes and Flexible Packaging businesses in 2013 and 2014, respectively, Suominen is now entirely focused on nonwovens. In the very beginning of 2014, the company split itself into two business areas—Convenience, which represents today 92% of sales and includes the substrates for wiping applications; and Care, which comprises approximately 8% of sales and includes nonwovens for medical and hygiene markets.

    “We have determinedly shaped Suominen into a 100% nonwovens company through acquisitions and divestments during the last four years,” Kopola says. “Clear focus provides us more resources to concentrate on what we are good at—developing and supplying nonwovens for customers in wiping, medical and hygiene sectors. The rationale behind the organizational renewal in the beginning of 2014 was to provide space for the growth of Care business area.”

    Spunlace technology, which is central to Suominen’s operations, has promising opportunities to grow its share in selected segments within medical and hygiene, Kopola  adds. “The soft, cloth-like feel of spunlaced nonwovens makes it a perfect material for all end uses close to the skin.”

    One new area for Suominen is the global hygiene market, which the company is targeting with a wide range of products including  Fibrella Lite, a range of lightweight spunlace products that meet the exacting requirements for a light yet stretchable materials for absorbent hygiene products.

    Meanwhile, for the home spa market, Suominen is selling materials  under the Biolace Skin brand and was developed in cooperation with cellulose fiber maker Lenzing. The range consists of nonwoven substrates, featuring unique attributes for applications like facial sheet masks, cosmetic pads and patches. These products can help bring the professional spa sensation to consumers in the comfort and convenience of their own home.

    The development of these new product brands fall in sync with Suominen’s growth strategy. “The product brands mentioned above, together with all new products we have recently introduced to the market, bring added value to the customer and have, therefore, an essential role in our strategy, as we aim to increase the share of products with higher added values in our portfolio,” Kopola says. “In general, new products—that we have more in the pipeline—also take us step by step closer to our vision of becoming a market driven product leader.”
    Related Searches
    • products
    • Ahlstrom
    • research
    • nonwovens
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Wetlaid
    • Wipes
    • Construction
    Suggested For You
    Toray Plastics (America) to Provide Rooftop Space for a Solar Panel Installation Toray Plastics (America) to Provide Rooftop Space for a Solar Panel Installation
    Ontex to Cease Manufacturing in Mayen, Germany Ontex to Cease Manufacturing in Mayen, Germany
    Tufropes to Install Spunlace Line in India Tufropes to Install Spunlace Line in India
    Kimberly-Clark Adds to Board Kimberly-Clark Adds to Board
    Ahlstrom-Munksjö Earns Fifth Consecutive EcoVadis Gold Rating Ahlstrom-Munksjö Earns Fifth Consecutive EcoVadis Gold Rating
    Berry Global Joins Polypropylene Recycling Coalition Berry Global Joins Polypropylene Recycling Coalition
    Avgol Avgol
    Glatfelter Glatfelter
    DuPont DuPont
    Kimberly-Clark Kimberly-Clark
    Wipes Makers Ditch Plastics Wipes Makers Ditch Plastics
    Ontex Launches Subscription-Based Incontinence Products Brand Ontex Launches Subscription-Based Incontinence Products Brand
    Stein Fibers Announces Promotions Stein Fibers Announces Promotions
    Sani Professional Debuts Degreasing Multi-Surface Wipes in Softpack Format Sani Professional Debuts Degreasing Multi-Surface Wipes in Softpack Format
    Nice Nice 'N Clean Offers Hand Sanitizing Wipes

    Related Content

    • Green/Sustainability

      Toray Plastics (America) to Provide Rooftop Space for a Solar Panel Installation

      Solar panels will deliver clean energy to Rhode Island residents
      09.22.21

    • Facilities/Capacity | Western Europe

      Ontex to Cease Manufacturing in Mayen, Germany

      Site will become an excellence center for global process engineering and global platform innovation
      09.17.21

    • Facilities/Capacity | India | Spunlace | Wipes

      Tufropes to Install Spunlace Line in India

      A.Celli Nonwovens will supply technologies for the new patent-pending spunlace line
      09.16.21


    • Kimberly-Clark Adds to Board

      Deirdre Mahlan and Jaime Ramirez will serve on the company's Audit Committee
      09.16.21

    • Green/Sustainability

      Ahlstrom-Munksjö Earns Fifth Consecutive EcoVadis Gold Rating

      Company honored for its sustainability management and performance
      09.13.21

      Trending
      • Kimberly-Clark To Expand Diaper, Wipes Production In Suzano, Brazil | Nonwovens Industry
      • The Honest Company To Sell Diapers, Wipes At Walmart | Nonwovens Industry
      • Bambo Nature Diapers Now Feature Paper Packaging | Nonwovens Industry
      • Freudenberg To Present Battery Pack And Liquid Absorbers At Battery Show | Nonwovens Industry
      • Vegeto Turns Milkweed Fibers into Nonwovens
      Breaking News
      • Weekly Recap: Kimberly-Clark to Expand Diaper, Wipes Production in Brazil; The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart & More
      • 3M to Expand in Nebraska
      • Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders
      • 'Right' Hygiene Conference to be Held in June
      • Freudenberg to Present Battery Pack and Liquid Absorbers at Battery Show
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May 2022

      • Fluff Pulp Market Faces Year of Transition



      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      GOED Creates Infographic Highlighting Omega-3 Health Claims Approved in Europe
      Kyowa Hakko Appoints Dr. Colin Hill to Immuse Scientific Advisory Board
      Expert Consensus Statement: Diet is Best Primary Intervention to Achieve Diabetes Remission
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      What Are You Reading?
      Teknos Receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for Sustainability Performance
      AkzoNobel and Partners Team Up to Hack Carbon Reduction Challenges
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—May 21
      Iterative Scopes Expands its Senior Leadership Team
      Viz.ai Raises $100 Million in Series D Funding
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Piramal Pharma Solutions New API Plant in Canada Now Online
      MG America Appoints Claudio Radossi as President
      Catalent Invests $175M to Expand Mfg. Capabilities at Winchester, KY
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Authentic Beauty Concept Launches Second-Generation ‘Refill Bar’
      HASK Beauty Enters Exclusive Partnership with Amazon
      Garance Doré Launches Made in France Skincare Line
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      P&G Closes HQ Due To Security Threat, Launches New Hair Care Line
      SPF Setting Spray, Lip Contour and Knotless Braids Are Hot Trends: Spate
      Nutrafol Launches Collagen Infusion
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      Weekly Recap: Zeller+Gmelin, Sun Chemical and Kornit Top This Week’s News
      Nazdar Celebrates 100 Years with a New Look
      hubergroup Chemicals Exhibits at Paint India for First Time
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Brook + Whittle's new acquisition, SunDance goes to HP and more
      Specialty announces move to new facility
      Mark Andy hosts dealer's open house in Warsaw
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Weekly Recap: Kimberly-Clark to Expand Diaper, Wipes Production in Brazil; The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart & More
      3M to Expand in Nebraska
      Nicely Offers Nonwoven Slitters, Winders
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      ODT's Most Read Stories This Week—May 21
      FDA Clears Anika Therapeutics' X-Twist Knotless Fixation System
      Paragon 28 Rolls Out TenoTac 2.0 Hammertoe and Soft Tissue Repair
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Weekly Recap: Graphene Flagship, Japan Display and LG Display Top This Week’s Stories
      Evonik Launches New Processing Aids for PV Wafer Cutting
      NREL Creates Highest Efficiency 1-Sun Solar Cell

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login