• 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
    Personal Care Wipes Respond to Change

    Spotlight on Spunlace

    Face Mask Market Report

    Biosphere Corporation: Expands into Baby Diaper Production in Ukraine

    Trends in Diapers: Sustainability, Natural Ingredients or Other Features?
    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
    Ontex Develops Smart Adult Diaper

    GDM Virtual Days to Showcase B6-W Red Machine

    Armbrust Expands Product Line Up

    Freudenberg Masks Gain FDA Approval

    Papel Aralar Starts Up Flushable Wipes Line
    Nonwovens Insights
    Online Exclusives
    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

    Ontex Develops Smart Adult Diaper

    GDM Virtual Days to Showcase B6-W Red Machine

    Armbrust Expands Product Line Up

    Freudenberg Masks Gain FDA Approval

    Papel Aralar Starts Up Flushable Wipes Line
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Armbrust Expands Product Line Up

    Spotlight on Spunlace

    Wolf Starts Up Meltblown Line

    Armbrust American Adds Meltblown Manufacturing

    Radici Adds Meltblown Line
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Lotus Teknik to Add Wetlace Line

    Shemesh Adds U.S. Headquarters

    Domtar Sells Personal Care Unit

    Jacob Holm to Expand Spunlace Capacity in Candler

    Nice-Pak to Construct New Facility in Mooresville, IN
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    Techtextil to be Held in June 2022

    Armbrust American Adds Meltblown Manufacturing

    Techtextil, Texprocess Postponed to 2022

    Shemesh Adds U.S. Headquarters

    Domtar Sells Personal Care Unit
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Schott & Meissner Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH

    Cellulose Solutions LLC.

    Mechanical Specialties, Inc.

    Shemesh Automation

    Investkonsult Sweden AB
    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
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
    • 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
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Jobs
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    Ahlstrom Continues Its Focus On Wallcoverings

    Technology developments, consumer preferences drive growth forward in the wallcoverings market.

    Ahlstrom Continues Its Focus On Wallcoverings
    Ahlstrom Continues Its Focus On Wallcoverings
    Karen McIntyre , Senior Editor02.07.13
    Over the past couple of years, wallcoverings has emerged as an important business for Ahlstrom. The company makes both wall coverings and backing materials based on wetlaid technology and is about to finish up a large-scale investment to expand this business in Asia.

    Reporting that its range of materials extends across all types of customer needs and all budgets, Ahlstrom’s products include EasyLife digital print materials, EasyLife wallliners, EasyLife wallcover backings, EasyLife wallcover facings, Paintover walliners and wallcover base papers.

    Largely based on wetlaid technology, these offerings feature benefits including direct printability, dimensional stability, good print definition, ease of hanging and ease of removal.

    Recent developments within Ahlstrom’s EasyLife product range include new embossable materials and additional 3D capabilities, which will enhance the design possibilities in wall coverings, as well as the use of certified pulp making them more sustainable than previous generations.

    Of particular focus within this business is China, where Ahlstrom is currently finishing up a new production line in Banzhou. This €30 million investment plays a significant role in the company’s growth strategy in Asia, according to president Jan Lang. “Ahlstrom has a strong presence in Europe and the Americas, and we continue to grow our presence in Asia as well. China is expected to be the world’s largest market for wallcovers in a few years time, offering a significant growth potential in the coming years.”

    China is the biggest and fastest-growing market for premium wallcovering products. According to Strategic Analysis Inc., the demand for nonwoven-based premium wallcoverings will increase by an annual rate of 39% (CAGR) from 2010 to 2015. Ahlstrom is one of the leading suppliers of nonwoven substrates to China and the company has been present in this market for 10 years. Ahlstrom recently announced plans to invest €30 million in a new wallcover substrates production line at its Binzhou plant.

    Nowovens Industry talked with Ahlstrom’s Calum Mayland to learn more about the company’s wall coverings business.

    Nonwovens Industry: Please describe Ahlstrom’s offerings to the wall coverings market? How is this offering evolving?

    Calum Mayland: Ahlstrom’s EasyLife wallcover range continues to evolve in a number of areas. Our portfolio offers extensive materials with three-dimensional appearances, helping create new design opportunities. All materials have a luxurious, textile-like feel.

    The use of natural fibers gives the covering a fibrous appearance obtained through the use of sisal and flax. The coverings’ unique textures feature lined appearances and a structured look and their embossability gives them the ability to create a wide range of surface effects.

    The offering is quickly expanding into the digital arena and is positioned as one of the key substrates for nonwoven digital wallcover applications. In addition we are strongly entering the backing market where there is a strong substitution of paper products.

    NWI: What factors are helping nonwovens grow in this market? What advantages do wallcoverings have over competing substrates?

    CM: Ease of use continues to be the key factor why nonwoven substrates are replacing paper substrates. Nonwoven materials are so much easier to get onto the wall, as well as remove from the wall. The job of decoration and indeed redecoration is quicker, easier and cleaner.

    In comparison to other products utilized within the wall decoration market, such as paint, EasyLife by Ahlstrom offers a much greater opportunity for three-dimensional appearances and attractive designs. Consumers are generally looking for more in their home design than plain painted walls.

    NWI: How has your investment in China helped grow your wallcoverings business there? Why was this geographical location chosen for growth?

    CM: We have been growing the business in China with products manufactured in Europe. As the market has been evolving in a very rapid way we took the decision to invest in China. The startup of the line will be in third quarter of 2013. The wallcover business in China has been growing strongly throughout the last years, but has also been effected by the world crisis. Today the nonwoven part is growing and the traditional paper part is stagnating. Nonwovens are having growth, because Chinese designers like the opportunity to use the structure of a nonwoven facing to be a design element.

    NWI: Do you have any plans to expand your production beyond this?

    CM: In 2013, we focus as well on increasing the business of coated nonwoven backings as we are investing in a large machine in Germany. This machine is an ideal machine to produce such products as it is a wallpaper machine and is being refocused to nonwoven backings. First products have been launched and during the year several other products are in the launch pipeline.

    NWI: How important is green or sustainability in the wallcovering market? How is Ahlstrom responding to this?

    CM: Like most businesses in the world today, the wallcover business is not alone in examining how to reduce its environmental impact. Ahlstrom has put in place a sustainability framework to ensure that the business is successful and sustainable, not just economically, but also socially and environmentally. This has also been taken in account with the two investments mentioned above.

    Additionally, Ahlstrom is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Materials. All of our fibers are sourced from sustainably managed forests and we use recycled polyester when possible. All wallcover manufacturing plants are Chain of Custody certified (FSC and PEFC) and the wallcover is made in plants with ISO 14001 certificates for environmental management.

    NWI: Are you seeing more interest in antimicrobial or antibacterial technology to be added to wallcoverings?

    CM: It is not only antibacterial or antimicrobial. This is relevant for some specific markets or sub markets. Actually, there is a trend to add features/benefits to substrates. It is also specific shielding, acoustic or thermal insulation.

    NWI: What are some other trends you are seeing in the wallcoverings market?

    CM: Bold geometric patterns, metallic, novelty designs/customization/digital print, environmentally focused materials, both in materials and designs, a move to reduce or eliminate PVC or any harmful substances

    The increasing number of paste-the-wall materials, which are easier to apply, has meant that not only are more consumers choosing wallcover but they are also changing it more often.
    Related Searches
    • Ahlstrom
    • fibers
    • nonwoven
    • wetlaid
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Home Products
    • Wetlaid
    • Fibers

    Related Features

    • Fibers
      Fibers Report

      Fibers Report

      As the nonwovens industry continues to face the challenge of balancing safety and efficacy with sustainability, new fiber and raw material choices will continue
      Karen McIntyre, Editor 06.10.20

    • Home Products
      Perfect Canvas

      Perfect Canvas

      Adrian Wilson reports from Heimtextil 2020 on the growing market for nonwoven wallcoverings
      Adrian Wilson 03.05.20

    • Fibers
      Co-form Nonwovens Comprising of Cotton Flock Fibers

      Co-form Nonwovens Comprising of Cotton Flock Fibers

      Structures feature soft and pleasant hand, ideal for cosmetic use
      03.05.20


    • Fibers

      Natural Fibers Take the Lead in Nonwovens

      The sustainability story continues to be strong in baby diapers and feminine hygiene products
      Karen McIntyre, Editor 06.05.19

    • Home Products
      Nonwovens for the Home

      Nonwovens for the Home

      Producers continue to expand product offerings in this diverse market.
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 03.15.19

    • Automotive and Transportation | Home Products
      Acoustics: The Silent Market

      Acoustics: The Silent Market

      New opportunities for nonwovens arise as consumers seek peace in their homes, cars and offices.
      Karen McIntyre, Editor 03.15.19


    • Wetlaid
      Lenzing Develops Web Forming Technology

      Lenzing Develops Web Forming Technology

      Lyocell manufacturer hopes to bring innovation, sustainability to the entire nonwovens supply chain.
      Karen McIntyre, Editor 11.02.18

    • Fibers
      Fibers for Nonwovens

      Fibers for Nonwovens

      Sustainable, simplified solutions catch the eye of consumers and producers.
      Karen McIntyre , Editor 06.01.18

    • Home Products
      Nonwovens for Home Applications

      Nonwovens for Home Applications

      An update on the latest developments from nonwovens manufacturers.
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 05.04.18


    • Automotive and Transportation | Home Products
      Optimism in Acoustics

      Optimism in Acoustics

      Producers see a bright future for nonwovens designed to absorb and block sound.
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 05.04.18

    • Fibers
      Fibers in Nonwovens

      Fibers in Nonwovens

      Suppliers to the nonwovens industry continue to develop technologically advanced fibers that address consumer needs.
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 05.31.17

    • Spunlace | Wetlaid | Wipes
      Perfecting the Spunlace Process

      Perfecting the Spunlace Process

      Evolution of Andritz injector technology and the development of neXjet.
      03.27.17


    • Home Products
      A Home Run for Nonwovens

      A Home Run for Nonwovens

      Producers offer durable and cost-effective solutions that protect and make home furnishings more comfortable.
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 03.27.17

    • Automotive and Transportation | Construction | Home Products | Needlepunch | Thermal Bonded | Wetlaid
      Shhh. The Acoustics Market Continues To Grow

      Shhh. The Acoustics Market Continues To Grow

      Nonwovens help keep the peace in homes, offices and cars.
      Karen McIntyre, Editor 03.27.17

    • Filtration | Meltblown | Needlepunch | Spunlace | Wetlaid
      Filtration Market Report

      Filtration Market Report

      Opportunities across many categories fuel activity in the industry.
      Tara Olivo, Associate Editor 11.07.16

    Trending
    • Fiber Bond VE3 Technology Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 In HVAC Filtration Systems
    • Lemu Group Engineers Mask-Making Machine
    • Ontex Develops Smart Adult Diaper
    • H&V Announces Price Increase
    • Ontex Reports Lower Revenues
    Breaking News
    • H&V Announces Price Increase
    • Fiber Bond VE3 Technology Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in HVAC Filtration Systems
    • Citizens Provides $325 Million Senior Credit Facility to Nice-Pak
    • Ontex Reports Lower Revenues
    • Lydall Reports Sales Increase
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    February 2021

    • Personal Care Wipes Respond to Change
    • Spotlight on Spunlace
    • Face Mask Market Report
    • View More >



    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

    Clinical Trial Finds Metabolic Benefits for Polyphenols Formula
    JRF Technology Debuts Elderberry Oral Film Strip
    Danone Adds to Plant-Based Portfolio with Acquisition of Follow Your Heart Brand
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Hempel Launches Sustainability Framework: Futureproof
    ChemQuest Hires Rich Gibson
    New Increase in Kynar Fluoropolymer Capacities at Arkema's Chinese Site
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Terumo to Purchase Predictive Analytics Firm Health Outcomes Sciences
    Abiomed Leader Michael Minogue Named AdvaMed Board Chairman
    TransEnterix Changes Name to Asensus Surgical
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Altasciences Contributes to Vibegron Approval
    Cyprium, Sentynl Therapeutics Ink Asset Purchase Agreement
    Pfizer Selects Seven Bridges to Support RNA Sequencing Data
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Madison Reed Raises $52 Million in Financing Round
    The Estée Lauder Companies Closes Becca Cosmetics
    Afro Sheen Launches New Brand Initiatives
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    PBA Opposes House Bill 2325 in West Virginia
    J.R. Watkins Tackles Pain with New Lines
    RB Launches Vanish Miracle
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Etiflex Enters New Markets with Nilpeter FA-22 Installation
    Hydrocarbon Solvents Market to Surpass $8.1 Billion by 2030
    Lowe-Martin Adds 2 KODAK NEXFINITY Digital Presses
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Eaglewood Technologies debuts new anilox cleaning system
    INX International and VerifyMe sign supply agreement
    Soma partners with DTM Flexo Services
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    H&V Announces Price Increase
    Fiber Bond VE3 Technology Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in HVAC Filtration Systems
    Citizens Provides $325 Million Senior Credit Facility to Nice-Pak
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    NuVasive Nabs Simplify Medical for $150M
    SeaSpine Begins Limited Launch of WaveForm TA (TLIF Articulating) 3D-Printed Interbody
    Nexus Spine Implants for Use in Spinal Surgeries Become Available
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Comercial Kywi Improves Customer Service, Front-Store Operations with Zebra Mobile Solution
    Global Printed Circuit Board Market Projected to Reach $69.32 Billion by 2027
    RFID Locks Market to Reach $9.93 Billion by 2027: Allied Market Research

    Copyright © 2021 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