09.08.22
Dallas, TX
www.alkegen.com
2021 Nonwovens Sales: $764 million (estimated)
Key Personnel
John Dandolph, president and chief executive officer
Plants
Rochester, NH; Saint Rivalain, France; Green Island, NY; Lancaster, PA; Fulton, NY; Hoosick Falls, NY; Beaver Falls, NY; Marshalltown, IA; Altenkirchen, Germany; Heerlen, The Netherlands; Hamptonville, NC; Yadkinville, NC; North Augusta, SC; Bethune, SC; Rawtenstall, U.K.; Bury U.K.; Stoke-on-Trent, U.K.; Wuxi, China; Yixing, China; Taicang, China; Shanghai, China; Quebec, Canada; Fulda, Germany; Meinerzhagen, Germany; St. Nazaire, France
Brands
AppLY Mat, Biotherm, CRS Wrap, Cryo-Lite, LydAir MG, LydAir MB, LydAir SC, LydAir GP, LyPore Defender, LyPore MB, LyPore SC, LyPore XL, Lytherm, ManniGlas, Select-A-Seal, dBCore, dBLyte, ZeroClearance, Fiberlox, Checkstatic, Microfelt, Pleatlox, Ultratech, Powertech, Powerlox, Microcap, Duotech
Major Markets
Specialty insulation, sealing, high-efficiency air and liquid filtration media and automotive
Combining the businesses of two high performance specialty material specialists—Unifrax and Lydall, Alkegen announced its new corporate name in January 2022 to better reflect the scope of the newly merged companies. Based in Dallas, TX, Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials platforms and represents a new chapter for a unified, innovation-driven company.
Alkegen is well positioned to be the specialty materials leader serving mission-critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy and live greener.
The name Alkegen is a modern adaptation of two words that are central to the company’s identity and mission. “Alke” is derived from the word “Alchemy,” which evokes transformational innovation and breakthroughs in what is possible. “Gen” is a shortened form of “Next Generation” and speaks to Alkegen’s focus on human health and a sustainable future. The green Alkegen “arc” in the logo represents collaboration, connectivity and a horizon signifying the global nature of the company and its constant innovation and forward progress.
John Dandolph, president and chief executive officer of Alkegen, explains, “Our new name helps define this global platform with differentiated, sustainability-focused advanced materials. Customers will come to know Alkegen as a brand that helps the planet breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. Alkegen is an exceptional specialty materials platform that we believe is unrivaled in the world today.”
The company formerly known as Unifrax purchased Lydall, one of the world’s largest producers of nonwovens for high performance filtration and acoustical applications, in late 2021. Prior to the acquisition, Unifrax was already a leading global provider of high-performance specialty materials focused on thermal management, specialty filtration, battery materials, emission control and fire protection applications backed by Clearlake Capital Group. Lydall reportedly caught Unifrax’s attention because it is well positioned to capitalize on growth in clean air filtration and electric vehicle adoption, among many other attractive markets.
In the months leading up to the acquisition, Lydall invested approximately $40 million in meltblown nonwoven assets in response to increased demand for face mask material as well as long-term demand for filtration applications. The company added two meltblown lines in Rochester, NH, and one in Saint-Rivalain, France.
The installation of these two new production lines made Alkegen’s New Hampshire facility the largest site for meltblown filtration media production in the U.S. and a center of excellence for advanced filtration media innovation. To support the wider need for improved air quality beyond Covid-19, the company’s innovation team is focused on developing new carbon-based, high-efficiency media for MERV-, HEPA- and ULPA-grade filters for hospitals, airplanes, restaurants, office buildings and other public spaces.
In June 2022, Alkegen made another significant acquisition, obtaining a controlling ownership interest in Luyang Energy-Saving Materials Co. Ltd., a Chinese producer of energy-saving materials in the fields of ceramic fibers, soluble fibers, alumina fibers and other high temperature insulating materials. The company has partnered with Alkegen since 2015.
Last month, Alkegen announced it would add 30 micro-fine glass fiber lines to support growing battery and filtration demand worldwide. The investments will increase its total micro-fine glass fiber (MFGF) manufacturing capacity by 30%.
“Our advanced micro-fine glass fibers are critical components in many of the world’s most innovative products, from medical devices to battery packs for electric vehicles,” says Dandolph. “These latest investments reflect Alkegen’s ongoing commitment to our partners in the fiber technology space, increasing supply in anticipation of future demand as we continue to develop compelling new specialty applications for these advanced glass fiber chemistries.”
Alkegen plans to accelerate enhanced MFGF capacity by adding a total of eight manufacturing lines in its facility in Bahrain and 22 lines to its U.S.-based facility located in Summerville, SC. The company also plans to expand and improve MFGF capacity and operations in China, including doubling its current rotary capacity in the region
For Lydall's 2020 top company profile, click here.
www.alkegen.com
2021 Nonwovens Sales: $764 million (estimated)
Key Personnel
John Dandolph, president and chief executive officer
Plants
Rochester, NH; Saint Rivalain, France; Green Island, NY; Lancaster, PA; Fulton, NY; Hoosick Falls, NY; Beaver Falls, NY; Marshalltown, IA; Altenkirchen, Germany; Heerlen, The Netherlands; Hamptonville, NC; Yadkinville, NC; North Augusta, SC; Bethune, SC; Rawtenstall, U.K.; Bury U.K.; Stoke-on-Trent, U.K.; Wuxi, China; Yixing, China; Taicang, China; Shanghai, China; Quebec, Canada; Fulda, Germany; Meinerzhagen, Germany; St. Nazaire, France
Brands
AppLY Mat, Biotherm, CRS Wrap, Cryo-Lite, LydAir MG, LydAir MB, LydAir SC, LydAir GP, LyPore Defender, LyPore MB, LyPore SC, LyPore XL, Lytherm, ManniGlas, Select-A-Seal, dBCore, dBLyte, ZeroClearance, Fiberlox, Checkstatic, Microfelt, Pleatlox, Ultratech, Powertech, Powerlox, Microcap, Duotech
Major Markets
Specialty insulation, sealing, high-efficiency air and liquid filtration media and automotive
Combining the businesses of two high performance specialty material specialists—Unifrax and Lydall, Alkegen announced its new corporate name in January 2022 to better reflect the scope of the newly merged companies. Based in Dallas, TX, Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials platforms and represents a new chapter for a unified, innovation-driven company.
Alkegen is well positioned to be the specialty materials leader serving mission-critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy and live greener.
The name Alkegen is a modern adaptation of two words that are central to the company’s identity and mission. “Alke” is derived from the word “Alchemy,” which evokes transformational innovation and breakthroughs in what is possible. “Gen” is a shortened form of “Next Generation” and speaks to Alkegen’s focus on human health and a sustainable future. The green Alkegen “arc” in the logo represents collaboration, connectivity and a horizon signifying the global nature of the company and its constant innovation and forward progress.
John Dandolph, president and chief executive officer of Alkegen, explains, “Our new name helps define this global platform with differentiated, sustainability-focused advanced materials. Customers will come to know Alkegen as a brand that helps the planet breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. Alkegen is an exceptional specialty materials platform that we believe is unrivaled in the world today.”
The company formerly known as Unifrax purchased Lydall, one of the world’s largest producers of nonwovens for high performance filtration and acoustical applications, in late 2021. Prior to the acquisition, Unifrax was already a leading global provider of high-performance specialty materials focused on thermal management, specialty filtration, battery materials, emission control and fire protection applications backed by Clearlake Capital Group. Lydall reportedly caught Unifrax’s attention because it is well positioned to capitalize on growth in clean air filtration and electric vehicle adoption, among many other attractive markets.
In the months leading up to the acquisition, Lydall invested approximately $40 million in meltblown nonwoven assets in response to increased demand for face mask material as well as long-term demand for filtration applications. The company added two meltblown lines in Rochester, NH, and one in Saint-Rivalain, France.
The installation of these two new production lines made Alkegen’s New Hampshire facility the largest site for meltblown filtration media production in the U.S. and a center of excellence for advanced filtration media innovation. To support the wider need for improved air quality beyond Covid-19, the company’s innovation team is focused on developing new carbon-based, high-efficiency media for MERV-, HEPA- and ULPA-grade filters for hospitals, airplanes, restaurants, office buildings and other public spaces.
In June 2022, Alkegen made another significant acquisition, obtaining a controlling ownership interest in Luyang Energy-Saving Materials Co. Ltd., a Chinese producer of energy-saving materials in the fields of ceramic fibers, soluble fibers, alumina fibers and other high temperature insulating materials. The company has partnered with Alkegen since 2015.
Last month, Alkegen announced it would add 30 micro-fine glass fiber lines to support growing battery and filtration demand worldwide. The investments will increase its total micro-fine glass fiber (MFGF) manufacturing capacity by 30%.
“Our advanced micro-fine glass fibers are critical components in many of the world’s most innovative products, from medical devices to battery packs for electric vehicles,” says Dandolph. “These latest investments reflect Alkegen’s ongoing commitment to our partners in the fiber technology space, increasing supply in anticipation of future demand as we continue to develop compelling new specialty applications for these advanced glass fiber chemistries.”
Alkegen plans to accelerate enhanced MFGF capacity by adding a total of eight manufacturing lines in its facility in Bahrain and 22 lines to its U.S.-based facility located in Summerville, SC. The company also plans to expand and improve MFGF capacity and operations in China, including doubling its current rotary capacity in the region
For Lydall's 2020 top company profile, click here.