Shalag Industries
Location: UPPER GALILEE, ISRAEL
Sales: $80 Million
Description: Plant Locations
Israel, U.S. (planned)
Major Processes
thermal bonded
The biggest news from Israel’s Shalag Group is a recent announcementthat the company invested $15 million in a newthermal bonded production line in the eastern part of the U.S.The new line will add 6000 tons of capacity to the company'sexisting 18,000-ton output currently being made in Israel.Commercial production will begin in late 2010.
According to executives, Shalag sees great potential for itsair through and calender bonded products in North America,where it already has several customers. The investment willhelp the company improve its customer service by decreasingsupply time and the need to maintain large stocks. Key marketsinclude disposable diapers, feminine hygiene items, wet anddry wipes and various industrial applications. “Shalag’s unique,proven capabilities in the realm of thermal bonding will enablethe development and suitability of innovative, new productsand will certainly lead us into additional fields in the Americanmarket,” said Ilan Pickman.
Shalag has been making nonwovens since 1984 with a focuson the hygiene and wipes markets. It currently operates fourproduction lines, all using thermal bonded technology, in Israel.Products include a range of substrates weighing less than 10 tomore than 100 gsm and comprising more than 40 fiber types.
Shalag’s thermobond technology enables great flexibility inthe production of a very extensive range of products in smallproduction batches and at competitive costs. “This capability,along with years of professional expertise and product developmentenables Shalag to tailor make products for individualcustomer requirements.”
The company currently has four production lines with18,000 tons of fully utilized production capacity. The fifth line,which will increase capacity to 24,000 tons, is expected to helpthe company grow its sales from $80 million today to morethan $100 million in the next few years, Mr. Picman concluded.
Sales: $80 Million
Description: Plant Locations
Israel, U.S. (planned)
Major Processes
thermal bonded
The biggest news from Israel’s Shalag Group is a recent announcementthat the company invested $15 million in a newthermal bonded production line in the eastern part of the U.S.The new line will add 6000 tons of capacity to the company'sexisting 18,000-ton output currently being made in Israel.Commercial production will begin in late 2010.
According to executives, Shalag sees great potential for itsair through and calender bonded products in North America,where it already has several customers. The investment willhelp the company improve its customer service by decreasingsupply time and the need to maintain large stocks. Key marketsinclude disposable diapers, feminine hygiene items, wet anddry wipes and various industrial applications. “Shalag’s unique,proven capabilities in the realm of thermal bonding will enablethe development and suitability of innovative, new productsand will certainly lead us into additional fields in the Americanmarket,” said Ilan Pickman.
Shalag has been making nonwovens since 1984 with a focuson the hygiene and wipes markets. It currently operates fourproduction lines, all using thermal bonded technology, in Israel.Products include a range of substrates weighing less than 10 tomore than 100 gsm and comprising more than 40 fiber types.
Shalag’s thermobond technology enables great flexibility inthe production of a very extensive range of products in smallproduction batches and at competitive costs. “This capability,along with years of professional expertise and product developmentenables Shalag to tailor make products for individualcustomer requirements.”
The company currently has four production lines with18,000 tons of fully utilized production capacity. The fifth line,which will increase capacity to 24,000 tons, is expected to helpthe company grow its sales from $80 million today to morethan $100 million in the next few years, Mr. Picman concluded.
Kibbutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2015 Nonwovens Sales: $130 million
Plants
Israel, North Carolina
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
New to this year’s report is Israel’s Shalag Nonwovens, a 30-year nonwovens industry veteran. The manufacturer of air-through bonded, calendar bonded, stitchbonded and needlepunch nonwovens, reported sales were flat between 2014 and 2015 at $130 million.
Shalag currently operates three production locations—one in Shamir, Israel with thermal bonded and air through bonded nonwovens; one in Urim, Israel with needlepunch and stitch bonded technologies and one in Oxford, NC with thermal bonded and air through bonded technologies. Total capacity is about 45,000 tons.
In May 2016, Shalag started up a third production line at its Oxford, NC site. This $20 million investment brought the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons.
Key markets for Shalag include baby diapers, feminine hygiene items, adult incontinence products and cleaning and industrial wipes. Sales are split between Europe and North America. “We are focusing in both regions, however we are also looking for growth in the developing regions,” says Ilan Pikman.
Growth will also come from new product development, unique products, global production capabilities and customer service.
www.shalag.co.il
2015 Nonwovens Sales: $130 million
Plants
Israel, North Carolina
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
New to this year’s report is Israel’s Shalag Nonwovens, a 30-year nonwovens industry veteran. The manufacturer of air-through bonded, calendar bonded, stitchbonded and needlepunch nonwovens, reported sales were flat between 2014 and 2015 at $130 million.
Shalag currently operates three production locations—one in Shamir, Israel with thermal bonded and air through bonded nonwovens; one in Urim, Israel with needlepunch and stitch bonded technologies and one in Oxford, NC with thermal bonded and air through bonded technologies. Total capacity is about 45,000 tons.
In May 2016, Shalag started up a third production line at its Oxford, NC site. This $20 million investment brought the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons.
Key markets for Shalag include baby diapers, feminine hygiene items, adult incontinence products and cleaning and industrial wipes. Sales are split between Europe and North America. “We are focusing in both regions, however we are also looking for growth in the developing regions,” says Ilan Pikman.
Growth will also come from new product development, unique products, global production capabilities and customer service.
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2016 Nonwovens Sales: $120 million
Plants
Israel, North Carolina
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitch bonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
“Sales were challenged in 2016 due to lower raw materials and market prices and unfavorable currency exchange rates.,” says CEO Ilan Pickman.
Shalag Nonwovens currently operates three production locations: in Shamir, Israel, with thermal bonded and air through bonded nonwovens; in Oxford, NC, with thermal bonded and air through bonded technologies and in Urim, Israel, with needlepunch and stitch bonded technology. Total capacity is about 45,000 tons.
Shalag’s most recent investment is a third production line in Oxford, NC. The $20 million investment brought the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons. With this line successfully started up, Shalag has turned its attention to Shamir, Israel, where it is upgrading an old calendar bonded line with new air through bonding technology. The new line will restart in May 2018.
“During the last few years we have been focusing on growing with air through bonding technology,” says Pickman. “We are currently working on our next strategic growth plan.”
Key markets for Shalag include baby diapers, feminine hygiene items, adult incontinence products and cleaning and industrial wipes. Sales are split between Europe and the North America, but the company is also looking toward emerging markets for growth.
www.shalag.co.il
2016 Nonwovens Sales: $120 million
Plants
Israel, North Carolina
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitch bonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
“Sales were challenged in 2016 due to lower raw materials and market prices and unfavorable currency exchange rates.,” says CEO Ilan Pickman.
Shalag Nonwovens currently operates three production locations: in Shamir, Israel, with thermal bonded and air through bonded nonwovens; in Oxford, NC, with thermal bonded and air through bonded technologies and in Urim, Israel, with needlepunch and stitch bonded technology. Total capacity is about 45,000 tons.
Shalag’s most recent investment is a third production line in Oxford, NC. The $20 million investment brought the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons. With this line successfully started up, Shalag has turned its attention to Shamir, Israel, where it is upgrading an old calendar bonded line with new air through bonding technology. The new line will restart in May 2018.
“During the last few years we have been focusing on growing with air through bonding technology,” says Pickman. “We are currently working on our next strategic growth plan.”
Key markets for Shalag include baby diapers, feminine hygiene items, adult incontinence products and cleaning and industrial wipes. Sales are split between Europe and the North America, but the company is also looking toward emerging markets for growth.
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2017 Nonwovens Sales: $125 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Sales increased slightly from $120 million to $125 million at Israel-based air-through bonding specialist Shalag Nonwovens. The company operates facilities in Oxford, NC, and Shamir, Israel, and mainly targets the hygiene market.
“The advantages of air through bonded products are loftiness, softness and high liquid management performances in hygiene applications,” says CEO Ilan Pickman. “In addition air through bonded products can be produced in blends of a few different fibers and polymers, providing product uniqueness and cost advantages.
Shalag recently added a third production line to its North Carolina site, bringing the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons at a cost of $20 million. Also at this site, Shalag is adding a second spooling line set to start operation this month. Meanwhile, in Israel the company converted an old calender line into a modern, state-of-the-art air through bonded line. This line is in the final stage of commercialization, says Pickman.
These investments will allow Shalag to continue its growth in baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence and cleaning and industry wipes markets both in Europe and North America.
www.shalag.co.il
2017 Nonwovens Sales: $125 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Sales increased slightly from $120 million to $125 million at Israel-based air-through bonding specialist Shalag Nonwovens. The company operates facilities in Oxford, NC, and Shamir, Israel, and mainly targets the hygiene market.
“The advantages of air through bonded products are loftiness, softness and high liquid management performances in hygiene applications,” says CEO Ilan Pickman. “In addition air through bonded products can be produced in blends of a few different fibers and polymers, providing product uniqueness and cost advantages.
Shalag recently added a third production line to its North Carolina site, bringing the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons at a cost of $20 million. Also at this site, Shalag is adding a second spooling line set to start operation this month. Meanwhile, in Israel the company converted an old calender line into a modern, state-of-the-art air through bonded line. This line is in the final stage of commercialization, says Pickman.
These investments will allow Shalag to continue its growth in baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence and cleaning and industry wipes markets both in Europe and North America.
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2018 Nonwovens Sales: $125 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
In August, Israeli nonwovens producer Shalag Group said it had signed agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Texsus S.P.A, a leading manufacturer of air-through bonded nonwovens and laminated products for the hygiene market. Based in Pistoia, Italy, Texsus will be operated as a subsidiary of Shalag Industries and will continue to be managed by Federico Micheloti and on the marketing side by Barbara Bulleri.
The acquisition expands Shalag Group presnence in the global air-through bonded nonwovens segment with three production sites in Israel, North Carolina and Italy with a production capacity close to 60,000 tons per year.
“We appreciate Texsus’ reputation in the market and believe that the high synergy between the companies will allow Shalag Group to provide its customers over the world with the best global services as well as increased company innovation and technology capabilities,” says Ilan Pickman, CEO.
Shalag’s most recent organic investment included a third production line added in 2016 to its North Carolina site. The new line brought the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons at a cost of $20 million. Also at this site, Shalag has added a second spooling line. In Italy, Israel the company converted an old calender line into a modern, state-of-the-art air through bonded line. This line reached commercialization in late 2018.
These investments will allow Shalag to continue its growth in baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence and cleaning and industry wipes markets both in Europe and North America.
www.shalag.co.il
2018 Nonwovens Sales: $125 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
In August, Israeli nonwovens producer Shalag Group said it had signed agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Texsus S.P.A, a leading manufacturer of air-through bonded nonwovens and laminated products for the hygiene market. Based in Pistoia, Italy, Texsus will be operated as a subsidiary of Shalag Industries and will continue to be managed by Federico Micheloti and on the marketing side by Barbara Bulleri.
The acquisition expands Shalag Group presnence in the global air-through bonded nonwovens segment with three production sites in Israel, North Carolina and Italy with a production capacity close to 60,000 tons per year.
“We appreciate Texsus’ reputation in the market and believe that the high synergy between the companies will allow Shalag Group to provide its customers over the world with the best global services as well as increased company innovation and technology capabilities,” says Ilan Pickman, CEO.
Shalag’s most recent organic investment included a third production line added in 2016 to its North Carolina site. The new line brought the site’s capacity to 18,000 tons at a cost of $20 million. Also at this site, Shalag has added a second spooling line. In Italy, Israel the company converted an old calender line into a modern, state-of-the-art air through bonded line. This line reached commercialization in late 2018.
These investments will allow Shalag to continue its growth in baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence and cleaning and industry wipes markets both in Europe and North America.
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2019 Nonwovens Sales: $125 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
As it continues the integration of Texsus Spa, a maker of air-through bonded nonwovens and other materials for hygiene products, Israel’s Shalag Group reports sales remained flat at $125 million in 2019. While the integration has been slowed down by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company expects the merged companies will enjoy many synergies as the No. 1 manufacturer of air through bonded technology in the world with a strong European brand, in Italy, and a global supply chain as well as cost savings opportunities, increased innovation capabilities and an expanded range of products on the market.
In addition to the Texsus site in Italy, Shalag had existing operations in North Carolina and Israel. The group is now able to make 60,000 tons of nonwovens per year.
The group’s most recent investment is an upgrade to an old line in Shamir, Israel, to offer modernized, up-to-date technology.
According to CEO Ilan Pickman, in general ATB growth is taking place mostly in emerging markets, following the trend in growth of the global hygiene market. Meanwhile in mature markets, ATB technology is benefitting from the need for softer products in coverstock and backsheet applications.
“The growth in Asia will continue and it looks that the Central Africa region will present a substantial growth in hygiene products in the next few years,” he says.
www.shalag.co.il
2019 Nonwovens Sales: $125 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
As it continues the integration of Texsus Spa, a maker of air-through bonded nonwovens and other materials for hygiene products, Israel’s Shalag Group reports sales remained flat at $125 million in 2019. While the integration has been slowed down by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company expects the merged companies will enjoy many synergies as the No. 1 manufacturer of air through bonded technology in the world with a strong European brand, in Italy, and a global supply chain as well as cost savings opportunities, increased innovation capabilities and an expanded range of products on the market.
In addition to the Texsus site in Italy, Shalag had existing operations in North Carolina and Israel. The group is now able to make 60,000 tons of nonwovens per year.
The group’s most recent investment is an upgrade to an old line in Shamir, Israel, to offer modernized, up-to-date technology.
According to CEO Ilan Pickman, in general ATB growth is taking place mostly in emerging markets, following the trend in growth of the global hygiene market. Meanwhile in mature markets, ATB technology is benefitting from the need for softer products in coverstock and backsheet applications.
“The growth in Asia will continue and it looks that the Central Africa region will present a substantial growth in hygiene products in the next few years,” he says.
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2020 Nonwovens Sales: $200 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Sales increased significantly, reaching $200 million, on the heels of the acquisition of Texsus and organic growth in North America, for Shalag Group. The company acquired the Italian maker of air through bonded nonwovens and laminated materials in late 2019. The deal included sites in Italy and North Carolina.
“In general the integration process of Texsus has progressed during 2020 and continues in 2021. The Covid situation and restrictions have slowed down the process,” CEO Ilan Pickman says. “However, the consolidation of Texsus’ business enhanced the company’s global service capabilities and helped position Shalag as a world leader of air-through bonding technology and significantly contributed to our business performance.”
With a current nonwovens capacity around 60,000 tons, Shalag is investing in strengthening its European site and market position with state-of-the-art technology updates and expanding its product portfolio. Its latest investment is an upgrade to an old line in Israel to offer modernized up-to-date technology.
According to Pickman, the current global logistical and raw material crisis have made it difficult to characterize conditions in the global air through bonded markets.
“The industry is struggling with extremely high raw material and ocean freight costs. In addition the wipes supply chain stuck with high stock for a few months ahead. In this business environment, the customers are focusing on a cost saving solutions. Still, the demand for the development of premium materials continues and Shalag is very active in this trend.”
www.shalag.co.il
2020 Nonwovens Sales: $200 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Sales increased significantly, reaching $200 million, on the heels of the acquisition of Texsus and organic growth in North America, for Shalag Group. The company acquired the Italian maker of air through bonded nonwovens and laminated materials in late 2019. The deal included sites in Italy and North Carolina.
“In general the integration process of Texsus has progressed during 2020 and continues in 2021. The Covid situation and restrictions have slowed down the process,” CEO Ilan Pickman says. “However, the consolidation of Texsus’ business enhanced the company’s global service capabilities and helped position Shalag as a world leader of air-through bonding technology and significantly contributed to our business performance.”
With a current nonwovens capacity around 60,000 tons, Shalag is investing in strengthening its European site and market position with state-of-the-art technology updates and expanding its product portfolio. Its latest investment is an upgrade to an old line in Israel to offer modernized up-to-date technology.
According to Pickman, the current global logistical and raw material crisis have made it difficult to characterize conditions in the global air through bonded markets.
“The industry is struggling with extremely high raw material and ocean freight costs. In addition the wipes supply chain stuck with high stock for a few months ahead. In this business environment, the customers are focusing on a cost saving solutions. Still, the demand for the development of premium materials continues and Shalag is very active in this trend.”
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2021 Nonwovens Sales: $200 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Sales of Shalag Group continue to benefit from the acquisition of Texsus as well as organic growth in North America. The company acquired the Italian maker of air through bonded nonwovens and laminated materials in late 2019. The deal included sites in Italy and North Carolina.
The integration process of Texsus and its manufacturing sites has progressed during 2020 and continues. The acquisition has enhanced the company’s global service capabilities and helped position Shalag as a world leader of air-through bonding technology and significantly contributed to its business performance.
With a current nonwovens capacity around 60,000 tons, Shalag is investing in strengthening its European site and market position with state-of-the-art technology updates and expanding its product portfolio. Its latest investment is an upgrade to an old line in Israel to offer modernized up-to-date technology.
According to CEO Ilan Pickman, the current global logistical and raw material crisis has made it difficult to characterize conditions in the global air through bonded markets.
For Shalag's 2020 top company profile, click here.
www.shalag.co.il
2021 Nonwovens Sales: $200 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Sales of Shalag Group continue to benefit from the acquisition of Texsus as well as organic growth in North America. The company acquired the Italian maker of air through bonded nonwovens and laminated materials in late 2019. The deal included sites in Italy and North Carolina.
The integration process of Texsus and its manufacturing sites has progressed during 2020 and continues. The acquisition has enhanced the company’s global service capabilities and helped position Shalag as a world leader of air-through bonding technology and significantly contributed to its business performance.
With a current nonwovens capacity around 60,000 tons, Shalag is investing in strengthening its European site and market position with state-of-the-art technology updates and expanding its product portfolio. Its latest investment is an upgrade to an old line in Israel to offer modernized up-to-date technology.
According to CEO Ilan Pickman, the current global logistical and raw material crisis has made it difficult to characterize conditions in the global air through bonded markets.
For Shalag's 2020 top company profile, click here.
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2022 Nonwovens Sales: $210 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Higher sales prices compensated for lower volumes at Shalag Nonwovens in 2022. Overall nonwovens sales were able to increase slightly to reach $210 million compared to $200 million the year before.
“In 2022 we had to absorb some of the record high logistics and energy costs as results. The profit margin decreases significantly despite the increase in sales,” says CEO Ilan Pickman.
In 2019, Shalag acquired Texsus, an Italian maker of air through bonded nonwovens and laminated materials. The deal included sites in Italy and North Carolina. As it moves forward with the integration of the company, Shalag has renamed it Texsus Shalag EU, creating a European branch for the company. Along with the name change, the European division has undergone a total overhaul of the group’s branding including a new logo and website, consolidating the product portfolio and completing an organizational structure.
In the second quarter of 2023, Shalag started up production on a modern line in Italy allowing it to produce the same product range in all the regions. In addition, this investment has expanded its capabilities to make soft carded materials and sustainable solutions with a high efficiency level.
Meanwhile, Shalag has been impacted by softened demand in the EMEA hygiene market, particularly at its facilities in Israel. In response to these challenges the company has accelerated its efforts and its investments to develop solutions to the market’s demands for the short-, mid and long-term developments. So far, results of these efforts have included its ultrasoft carded Softy Air liners and sustainable solutions for all categories including an eco line featuring topsheets, liners for backsheet lamination, ADLs, frontal tapes and wipes and the “Less is More Line,” which is able to offer higher performance material at a lower environmental impact.
According to Pickman, Shalag has developed its sustainability policy based on 3P pillars—production (operations and supply chain), people and products. “We are defining clear environmental and social key performance indicators with the aim of reducing our footprint on the environment and improving our handprint on communities,” he says
www.shalag.co.il
2022 Nonwovens Sales: $210 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Higher sales prices compensated for lower volumes at Shalag Nonwovens in 2022. Overall nonwovens sales were able to increase slightly to reach $210 million compared to $200 million the year before.
“In 2022 we had to absorb some of the record high logistics and energy costs as results. The profit margin decreases significantly despite the increase in sales,” says CEO Ilan Pickman.
In 2019, Shalag acquired Texsus, an Italian maker of air through bonded nonwovens and laminated materials. The deal included sites in Italy and North Carolina. As it moves forward with the integration of the company, Shalag has renamed it Texsus Shalag EU, creating a European branch for the company. Along with the name change, the European division has undergone a total overhaul of the group’s branding including a new logo and website, consolidating the product portfolio and completing an organizational structure.
In the second quarter of 2023, Shalag started up production on a modern line in Italy allowing it to produce the same product range in all the regions. In addition, this investment has expanded its capabilities to make soft carded materials and sustainable solutions with a high efficiency level.
Meanwhile, Shalag has been impacted by softened demand in the EMEA hygiene market, particularly at its facilities in Israel. In response to these challenges the company has accelerated its efforts and its investments to develop solutions to the market’s demands for the short-, mid and long-term developments. So far, results of these efforts have included its ultrasoft carded Softy Air liners and sustainable solutions for all categories including an eco line featuring topsheets, liners for backsheet lamination, ADLs, frontal tapes and wipes and the “Less is More Line,” which is able to offer higher performance material at a lower environmental impact.
According to Pickman, Shalag has developed its sustainability policy based on 3P pillars—production (operations and supply chain), people and products. “We are defining clear environmental and social key performance indicators with the aim of reducing our footprint on the environment and improving our handprint on communities,” he says
Kibutz Shamir, Israel
www.shalag.co.il
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $200 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air-through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Shalag Nonwovens, a company that produces air-through bonded nonwovens with locations in Italy, North Carolina and Israel, reported revenue of approximately $200 million last year. This has remained stable for the past few years. The company is experiencing positive trends in the North American market, while facing high levels of competition in Europe and Israel, both from within their markets as well as the Far East, without any signs of significant growth. This has made price the main driving factor in customer purchasing decisions, behind performance, quality, customer service and reliability.
Despite these conditions, Shalag continues to pride itself on superior product performance with its air-through bonded carded nonwovens. CEO Ilan Pickman states, “Over the years, we have heavily invested in machinery technology and product design to produce premium and extremely soft materials, collecting a wealth of experience and a rich portfolio of high-quality, super-soft solutions. The recent trend that places softness as one of the most highly requested features has integrated perfectly with our preexisting philosophy, supporting our sales consequently.”
Shalag’s integration of Texsus, an Italian maker of films and air-through bonded nonwovens, which it acquired in 2019, has given the company a main hub for European production and machinery. Significant machinery and resource investment has been taking place to ensure each plant has a strong geographical presence to better meet the supply and delivery demands of clients in Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Additionally, each plant has the capability to back up the other plants, increasing global business redundancy.
According to executives, air-through bonding material continues to be a strategic technical nonwoven for the hygiene market, offering companies a premium material that provides both softness and visual appeal. In addition to acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) applications in hygiene items, Shalag is seeing increased demand for soft and visually appealing ATB materials for topsheet, outercovering, and frontal tape materials.
In addition to performance benefits, air-through bonding technology offers sustainability benefits including the absence of a binder or water in production; the use of recycled fibers as well as plant-based, biodegradable and natural fibers.
Additionally, following the ‘less is more’ principle, Shalag takes advantage of the naturally lofty and infinitely customizable nature of air-through-bonded nonwovens, achieving excellent liquid handling performance at lower basis weights than other technologies. Shalag’s Softy Air and Cudly Air brands are designed to deliver superior softness and a premium feel and are perfectly suited as topsheets and outercovers for clients seeking to design a product that delivers the softest and smoothest tactile experience. Additionally, the company can offer embossed and apertured material to enhance the functionality and visual aspects of the products.
www.shalag.co.il
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $200 million
Key Personnel
Ilan Pickman, CEO
Plants
Israel, North Carolina, Italy (Texsus)
Processes
Air-through bonded, thermal bonded, stitchbonded, needlepunch
Major Markets
Baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes
Shalag Nonwovens, a company that produces air-through bonded nonwovens with locations in Italy, North Carolina and Israel, reported revenue of approximately $200 million last year. This has remained stable for the past few years. The company is experiencing positive trends in the North American market, while facing high levels of competition in Europe and Israel, both from within their markets as well as the Far East, without any signs of significant growth. This has made price the main driving factor in customer purchasing decisions, behind performance, quality, customer service and reliability.
Despite these conditions, Shalag continues to pride itself on superior product performance with its air-through bonded carded nonwovens. CEO Ilan Pickman states, “Over the years, we have heavily invested in machinery technology and product design to produce premium and extremely soft materials, collecting a wealth of experience and a rich portfolio of high-quality, super-soft solutions. The recent trend that places softness as one of the most highly requested features has integrated perfectly with our preexisting philosophy, supporting our sales consequently.”
Shalag’s integration of Texsus, an Italian maker of films and air-through bonded nonwovens, which it acquired in 2019, has given the company a main hub for European production and machinery. Significant machinery and resource investment has been taking place to ensure each plant has a strong geographical presence to better meet the supply and delivery demands of clients in Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Additionally, each plant has the capability to back up the other plants, increasing global business redundancy.
According to executives, air-through bonding material continues to be a strategic technical nonwoven for the hygiene market, offering companies a premium material that provides both softness and visual appeal. In addition to acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) applications in hygiene items, Shalag is seeing increased demand for soft and visually appealing ATB materials for topsheet, outercovering, and frontal tape materials.
In addition to performance benefits, air-through bonding technology offers sustainability benefits including the absence of a binder or water in production; the use of recycled fibers as well as plant-based, biodegradable and natural fibers.
Additionally, following the ‘less is more’ principle, Shalag takes advantage of the naturally lofty and infinitely customizable nature of air-through-bonded nonwovens, achieving excellent liquid handling performance at lower basis weights than other technologies. Shalag’s Softy Air and Cudly Air brands are designed to deliver superior softness and a premium feel and are perfectly suited as topsheets and outercovers for clients seeking to design a product that delivers the softest and smoothest tactile experience. Additionally, the company can offer embossed and apertured material to enhance the functionality and visual aspects of the products.