09.11.24
Aalborg, Denmark
www.fibertexpersonalcare.com
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $273 million
Key Personnel
Mikael Staal Axelsen, Group CEO; Peter Andersen, CEO, Malaysia; Claus Svanberg, Group CFO; Carsten Pedersen, Group Print Director.
Plants
Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, North Carolina, U.S.
Processes
Nonwovens: Spunbond/Spunmelt; Print: Flexographic
Despite the challenges presented by a decrease in raw material prices and a reduction in volumes within the Asian markets, Fibertex Personal Care, a maker of spunmelt nonwovens in Denmark and Malaysia and printing on nonwovens, has managed to hold onto earnings at almost the same level as 2023. Meanwhile, sales for the year were DKK1891 ($273 million), down 23% from last year. This decrease was largely due to low raw material prices and lower selling prices combined with an 8% drop in volumes.
“While acknowledging the significant influence of competition, we remain committed to upholding our high quality, service and innovation, alongside strengthening our sustainability initiatives,” says Mikael Staal Axelsen pointing to highlights including the publication of the company’s first ESG report and the installation of PV solar panels in Malaysia.
“We are doing well in our efforts to support reduction of CO2 emission with our PV Solar installations and additional purchases of renewable energy, low basis weight products as well as energy and waste reduction initiatives in general,” he adds.
Fibertex Personal Care is in the process of adding its sixth production line in Malaysia, where it has two plants. The line, a state-of-the-art Reicofil 5 line, is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 and will allow the company to develop innovative new products for customers in the hygiene industry. While ramped up investment from local producers and a lower Chinese birth rate have created an overcapacity situation, Fibertex Personal Care remains committed to the market, ensuring its future position in the market both through capacity investment and the establishment of local warehouse facilities across the region. The first facility, located in Vietnam, has already been established and more are expected to follow.
In November 2024, the company announced it had temporarily adjusted its Malaysian capacity admidst increased competition and lower margins in the Asian hygiene market.
In Europe, where Fibertex Personal Care operates a plant at its headquarters in Aalborg, Denmark, the market continues to adapt to increases in capacity stemming both from new line installations as well as an uptick in imports. This trend is sharpening market focus on margins and placing more importance on sustainability efforts throughout the industry.
Speaking of sustainability, one of the company’s key research and development efforts focuses on thinner and lighter materials that don’t sacrifice performance or quality. Last year, Fibertex Personal Care introduced an extremely thin, 5gsm spunmelt nonwoven. With this Elite Strength material, Fibertex Personal Care has managed to significantly increase tensile performance versus basis weight compared to traditional low basis-weight nonwovens. Originally targeting core applications, the material is also applicable for other hygiene applications such as chassis and leg cuffs.
“Our ultra-lightweight product represents an ambitious leap forward and it is precisely these innovative material solutions that can pave the way for a more sustainable industry,” Axelsen says. “It can be done – it is possible. By venturing into such low weights, we are exploring future solutions.”
In addition to nonwovens production, Fibertex Personal Care operates a nonwovens printing business known as Innowo Print with plants in Germany and the U.S. Last year, the company started up a second printing line at its North Carolina site.
“The product portfolio from our Innowo Print brand includes cutting-edge print solutions, that empower our customers to stand out in the marketplace. Additionally, our newly developed digital technologies enable rapid sampling and swift creation of new designs, streamlining the innovation process,” Axelsen adds.
www.fibertexpersonalcare.com
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $273 million
Key Personnel
Mikael Staal Axelsen, Group CEO; Peter Andersen, CEO, Malaysia; Claus Svanberg, Group CFO; Carsten Pedersen, Group Print Director.
Plants
Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, North Carolina, U.S.
Processes
Nonwovens: Spunbond/Spunmelt; Print: Flexographic
Despite the challenges presented by a decrease in raw material prices and a reduction in volumes within the Asian markets, Fibertex Personal Care, a maker of spunmelt nonwovens in Denmark and Malaysia and printing on nonwovens, has managed to hold onto earnings at almost the same level as 2023. Meanwhile, sales for the year were DKK1891 ($273 million), down 23% from last year. This decrease was largely due to low raw material prices and lower selling prices combined with an 8% drop in volumes.
“While acknowledging the significant influence of competition, we remain committed to upholding our high quality, service and innovation, alongside strengthening our sustainability initiatives,” says Mikael Staal Axelsen pointing to highlights including the publication of the company’s first ESG report and the installation of PV solar panels in Malaysia.
“We are doing well in our efforts to support reduction of CO2 emission with our PV Solar installations and additional purchases of renewable energy, low basis weight products as well as energy and waste reduction initiatives in general,” he adds.
Fibertex Personal Care is in the process of adding its sixth production line in Malaysia, where it has two plants. The line, a state-of-the-art Reicofil 5 line, is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 and will allow the company to develop innovative new products for customers in the hygiene industry. While ramped up investment from local producers and a lower Chinese birth rate have created an overcapacity situation, Fibertex Personal Care remains committed to the market, ensuring its future position in the market both through capacity investment and the establishment of local warehouse facilities across the region. The first facility, located in Vietnam, has already been established and more are expected to follow.
In November 2024, the company announced it had temporarily adjusted its Malaysian capacity admidst increased competition and lower margins in the Asian hygiene market.
In Europe, where Fibertex Personal Care operates a plant at its headquarters in Aalborg, Denmark, the market continues to adapt to increases in capacity stemming both from new line installations as well as an uptick in imports. This trend is sharpening market focus on margins and placing more importance on sustainability efforts throughout the industry.
Speaking of sustainability, one of the company’s key research and development efforts focuses on thinner and lighter materials that don’t sacrifice performance or quality. Last year, Fibertex Personal Care introduced an extremely thin, 5gsm spunmelt nonwoven. With this Elite Strength material, Fibertex Personal Care has managed to significantly increase tensile performance versus basis weight compared to traditional low basis-weight nonwovens. Originally targeting core applications, the material is also applicable for other hygiene applications such as chassis and leg cuffs.
“Our ultra-lightweight product represents an ambitious leap forward and it is precisely these innovative material solutions that can pave the way for a more sustainable industry,” Axelsen says. “It can be done – it is possible. By venturing into such low weights, we are exploring future solutions.”
In addition to nonwovens production, Fibertex Personal Care operates a nonwovens printing business known as Innowo Print with plants in Germany and the U.S. Last year, the company started up a second printing line at its North Carolina site.
“The product portfolio from our Innowo Print brand includes cutting-edge print solutions, that empower our customers to stand out in the marketplace. Additionally, our newly developed digital technologies enable rapid sampling and swift creation of new designs, streamlining the innovation process,” Axelsen adds.
