2019 EDANA Nonwoven Statistics Released

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Despite low growth in last two years, Greater European Nonwovens Production reaches 4.4% Annual Average Growth over the last decade.

EDANA, the International Association Serving the Nonwovens and Related Industries released European annual statistics for 2019.

As a result of the recent economic conditions and, in particular, the downturn in several end-use sectors, figures for Greater Europe (Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia) show that the overall production of nonwovens has been flat in both weight (+0.3%) and in surface area (+0.5%) compared with 2018.

According to figures collected and compiled by the EDANA secretariat, production of nonwovens in Europe reached 2,782,917 tonnes. This compares with 2,774,194 tonnes in 2018 when the annual growth was 1.5%. Despite these two low growth years, the European production recorded an average growth rate of 4.4% over the last decade.

Obviously, a more in-depth analysis will be necessary to draw any definitive conclusion, as diverging trends have been observed in different European countries, and between the various production processes and market segments of nonwovens.

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director, stated “In terms of apparent growth rates, airlaid nonwovens has been in line with the long-term trend this year, but it is actually the hydroentanglement process that has recorded the highest growth rate, at slightly more than 5.5%. However, other bonding processes within the drylaid technologies (thermally, air-through, chemically bonded and needled punched), as well as wetlaid nonwovens witnessed either flat or negative growth rates in 2019. Spunmelt nonwovens production, compared to its performance of 2018, recorded a growth of 0.6%.”

The main end-use for nonwovens remains the hygiene market with a 29% share of deliveries, amounting to 792,620 tonnes, a growth of 1.5% in 2019. The most significant increases in percentage in 2019 were in table linen (+12.3%) and electronic materials (+6.8%). In contrast, several important sectors in terms of volumes sold showed limited (and sometimes negative) growth rates: e.g. personal care wipes (+1.6%), building/roofing (-0.3%), civil engineering (-1.5%) and automotive interiors (-2.5%). Additionally, major declines were noticed in medical applications, garments, interlinings and wall covering.

“Without the help of participating companies”, Jacques Prigneaux noted, “these figures couldn’t be compiled, and we would like to thank them again for their efforts in sending their input to us, especially during the tumultuous period of the first quarter 2020. “

“Thanks to a convergence of efforts of the participating companies, to an improved ISO definition of nonwovens and to the continuous monitoring of EDANA staff, these statistics are more and more relevant for planning and benchmarking purposes within member companies” said Jacques.

“As the world continues to discover the important role of nonwovens in protecting healthcare staff and patients through medical devices and personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks, respirators, gowns, drapes and coveralls during the Covid-19 pandemic, our ongoing commitment is to work with partner associations throughout the world, also to harmonise nonwoven production and sales statistics, and our positions on trade classification rules” announced Pierre Wiertz, general manager, EDANA. “This, together with the now improved ISO nonwovens definition, should give the whole industry the visibility it deserves.”

Nonwoven Products Contributing in the Struggle Against the COVID-19 Pandemic

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According to declaration published by Edana; the current global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus has highlighted the importance of face masks, disinfecting wipes and personal protective clothing, as well as the need to keep the supply chain going to ensure the production and supply of those products.

In this context it is interesting to look at the wider picture including other nonwovens-based products that also contribute in the battle against this pandemic:

  • Components for rapid test kits
    Many diagnostics companies worldwide are working on the development of test kits for easy and rapid detection of the Coronavirus. These kits include fibre-based components which can detect the virus in blood.
  • Cards for collection of biosamples 
    These cards are used for screening of infectious diseases on a large scale. They can be an alternative to the more traditional liquid sampling: blood or saliva samples collected directly onto the card, can be stored and transported at ambient temperature prior to analysis.
  • Filters for ventilators
    As the most severe cases affected by COVID-19 require artificial ventilation, there is a strong demand for the filter media that are used in order to secure the safety of ventilators and the quality of air provided to patients.
  • Laboratory filters
    Healthcare structures, hospitals and laboratories are now facing new challenges for analysis, sample preparation and laboratory works especially research geared towards treatment of and vaccination against COVID-19. Laboratory filters are used to remove particulates from samples in laboratory-scale applications.

Turkey has Advanced capacity in the field of Nonwovens and Technical Textiles

During the COVID-19 pandemic; The World continues to explore the important role of nonwovens in the protection of healthcare professionals and patients with the medical equipment and personal protective equipment such as; medical masks ,respiratory masks, ventilators, gowns, curtains. In Turkey, many companies operating in the field of technical textiles and nonwovens, proves its global success in this field by playing an important role in the international market.

Thanks to national and domestic production, companies continues to meet the masks and disinfectants needs of Turkey and especially health workers rapidly. Turkey Exporters Assembly (TIM), being the unique umbrella organization in Turkey for 61 exporters union scattered through 27 industries with their 90 thousand exporting companies, aims to start with the production of 1 million masks daily and reach the capacity of 40 million masks monthly. In addition, Turkey as well as produce medical equipment for its own country, but also provides the necessary support to countries in need of it.

Covid-19 Spikes Demand For Surgical & Face Masks

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The continuing novel coronavirus (Covid-19) scare the world over has resulted in high demand for surgical and face masks. There is also a steep rise in the price of the masks, along with a spike in raw material prices. Manufacturing companies are now working round the clock to cater to the rising demand for disposable masks in India and the world.

Seeing the huge demand-supply gap, many manufacturing units are investing in setting up additional machineries in their factories for producing masks from nonwoven fabric.

“Demand is too high; our workers are working day in day out to meet the demand. With our current manufacturing capacity, we can produce 2,40,000 masks every alternate day. We are also working on increasing our capacity by setting up another manufacturing machine, and with the installation of new unit we will be able to produce 3,60,000 masks every alternate day and hopefully we can contribute somewhat to fulfil demand in such a situation,” a Delhi-based manufacturer, who supplies to the international market, told Fibre2Fashon on condition of anonymity.

Krunal Patel, MD of DNP Enterprise, an Ahmedabad-based surgical products manufacturer who exports to places like Singapore and Malaysia, said: “Right now we are not able to meet the demand of surgical masks, as we don’t have that large-scale capacity to manufacture it. At present time, we are focused to supply to our routine customers. We have pending orders for next 8-11 months.”

“We are not taking any further orders for face masks, as we are running out of supply for the same. Everyday there are several queries and requirements from clients across India. We are receiving bulk orders for masks, but we are not getting any supply from our manufacturers to cater to the demand,” lamented a spokesperson from disposable face masks trader Arctelic Inc.

“Today morning we received supply of 100 masks, and within couple of hours all were sold. Even the prices have gone up for the same,” said a medical shop owner in Ahmedabad.

Zorlu Textile Sets New Goals in its Investments towards the Smart Textile Market

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Through the vision of ‘Smart Life 2030’, Zorlu Textile sets its target to accomplish 50 percent of its textile turnover from smart textile products by 2025.

Zorlu Family, a group that expands step by step on the path set off with the textile sector, has weighed in priority and accelerated its smart textile growth strategies under the roof of Zorlu Textile. Zeki Zorlu, Co-Chairman of Zorlu Holding explained with his team at the Korteks facility of Zorlu Textile in Bursa about the vision of ‘Smart Life 2030’ and the cyclical economy-based smart transformation initiated in the company. New targets were discussed within the team, including Ömer Yüngül, the CEO of Zorlu Holding, Necat Altın, Group President of the Zorlu Textile, and Barış Mert, General Manager Korteks Company.

The smart textile market, which attained a total value of 160 billion dollars in the world, is targeted to accomplish 475 billion dollars in 2025 and 3 trillion dollars by 2030. Zorlu Textile, which procured 20 percent of its turnover from smart textile products in 2019, foresees that half of its turnover will be obtained from smart textile products by 2025.

Zorlu will continue and advance its investments in smart textiles

Zeki Zorlu, Co-Chairman of Zorlu Holding, declared that manufacturing in all aspects should keep on by following up the state-of-the-art technological developments despite the hardships encountered in the scope of industrial productions in Turkey.

Ömer Yüngül, the CEO of Zorlu Holding, explained that they are the leading company that creates the most employment opportunities in their respective sectors, and because of the smart investments in their factories, while the number of the employees has seemingly decreased, they have established fresh employment areas by carrying out additional investments.

Yüngül continued as follows: ‘‘As a group that focuses on the forthcoming trends and follows up innovations in the world in this aspect, we closely keep our eyes on the  Silicon Valley, which we see as the cradle of all innovations and the initiation point of many technological developments, and other similar technological hubs. We even established a company there. I think that the textile industry is especially very fortunate in this regard. Because the textile industry forms common intersection points and it is at the center of solutions for all fields from conductive fabrics to technical textiles, from wearable technology to energy, from security to the healthcare industry. The worldwide smart textile market, which was approximately 60 billion dollars before the 2008-2009 global economic crisis, has come very close to 160 billion dollars in size today. In this market, where China, the USA, and Germany are the driving forces, as a country, we achieved exports amounting to 1.7 billion dollars last year. However, when we consider the potential of the market and its foreseeable development, there are many possibilities that we can cover on this issue. As an innovative group that handles sustainability as a way of dealing with business and is live on technology, we will continue and advance our long-term investments in the smart textile area as a result of the conducted research efforts and the inspiration that we have gained from the Silicon Valley.’’

Exports Target Set to 200 Million Dollars

Necat Altın, Group President of the Zorlu Textile, Necat Altın stated that Zorlu Textile reached a total turnover of 605 million dollars last year while the exports amounted to 186 million dollars. Altın, further declared that they set their targets to 620 million dollars of turnover and 200 million dollars of exports for 2020, continued as follows: ‘‘We will build a more intelligent trade channel in the forthcoming period. Our purpose is to increase our turnover more than two times until 2025 through the smart transformation that we initiated.’’

Korteks Yarns for the Domestic Car

Zorlu textile division, being one of the ‘5 brave fellows’ of the Turkish domestic automobile project, also holds the position of the leading supplier of automotive companies in the world. Yüngül expressed that they are specialized in ceiling yarns of the vehicles, further declared that: ‘‘Korteks will also provide the ceiling yarns of the Turkish domestic car, and that task suits us well.’’ In addition, Barış Mert, General Manager Korteks Company, stated that they are in business with global brands in the automotive industry and they single-handedly provide 15 percent of the consumption in Europe by carrying out the exports of approximately 5 thousand tons of automotive yarn. Mert emphasized that Korteks provided ceiling yarns of the vehicles of Audi, Mercedes, and BMW, continued as follows: We have been manufacturing fountain pen yarns for 5-6 years now. In September 2020, the recycling machinery will be operational at the facility. Plastic bottles will be converted into yarn. We will initiate this process with 600 kilos daily at first. We made an investment of 5 million dollars for this business.

Kordsa Proceeds with Its Development Story

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Kordsa, the reinforcement leader in Turkey, continues its investments in composite technologies and achieved to end another year with successful financial results. Kordsa increased its turnover by 30.2% in 2019 amounting to 5,137 million TL, compared to the previous year, and its net profit is increased by 11.8%, which amounts to 378 million TL.

The company accomplished a profit of 747 million TL before interest, depreciation, and taxes in the same period.

Kordsa, which is one of the affiliates of Sabancı Holding, continued its growth this year by incorporating 4 composite companies that are located in the USA in 2018 and 2019. The company desires to have a say with the technologies that it has developed in the composite industry and to rapidly observe the reflection of its investments on turnover. Therefore, Kordsa continued its development by investing in companies located in the USA, which is the center of the composite market and the aviation industry, and which have completed their approval processes. The contribution of these investments, which are located in the USA, to the turnover with an amount of 737 million TL, reflected positively on the financial indicators by the end of 2019. In 2019, the company’s total turnover reached 5.1 billion TL with an increase of 30.2% compared to the previous year, and the period profit increased by 11.8% to 378 million TL, and fundamental operating profit increased by 16.9% to 614 million TL. Kordsa increased its total export amount by 14.6% by realizing exports to 38 countries in 2019.

Ali Çalışkan, CEO of Kordsa, expressed his satisfaction with the growth they achieved and the sustainable technologies they developed in 2019, evaluated the year-end results as follows: ’‘As Kordsa, ‘‘Our Passion is Strengthening Life’’. As our growth continues, our efforts are in the direction of trying to develop sustainable technologies in order to add value to our country, partners, and investors and to guide the sectors we are in. As Kordsa Reinforcers, we have created the R&D platform named “Flexible Electronics” in partnership with Sabancı University in order to develop new generation flexible wearable sensors on account of using our knowledge and competencies in different fields. We carried our journey, which was initiated with tire reinforcement, into space with our investments in 2018 and 2019, and now we are ready to take our technological breadth further through with this new R&D platform and make an effort to produce the technology of the future. I would like to thank our employees and partners who contributed to all our successes.’’

At the beginning of the third quarter of 2019, the company took an important step in the journey of creating a second Kordsa by incorporating US Axiom Materials, which has an important place in advanced composite technologies and aviation industry, and has completed the original parts manufacturer approval processes. Hence, the company has become an important supplier of the Oxide ceramic composite market, which is durable against high temperatures and used in the engines of aircrafts. Kordsa, which reinforces one of every three automobile tires in the world and two of all three aircraft tires, has now started to strengthen the engines of the planes that it has strengthened its tires today after the wings, hulls and internal parts of them.

Kordsa, which sustains its leadership in the tire reinforcement industry as well as its development in the composite field, launched its new line in 2019, of which the investment decision was made in 2016 and will provide an additional 7 thousand tons of polyester yarn capacity at the Izmit facility in order to meet the increasing demand in this business sector. Through this new line, Kordsa gained the ability to produce new generation polyester yarn products with very high strength and better dimensional stability in addition to the standard HMLS polyester yarn.

Kordsa, which tries to manufacture “sustainable technologies” in every step and every investment it takes on its path with the goal of reinforcing life, has developed an innovation that will steer the tire industry in 2019 with an open innovation approach. Kordsa, which has developed a new and environmentally friendly adhesive standard called CoKoon for joining rubber-based compounds and textile reinforcement materials by combining the R&D forces with the tire manufacturer Continental, has created a free license pool for access to this new formula aiming to devise an alternative, which has been an industry standard for almost a century. Production of the first 250,000 tires with CoKoon bonding technology started within the last quarter of 2019.

Bcnonwovens Expanding Capacity to Meet Growing Customer Needs

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BCNonwovens is investing into a new production line, machine hall and warehouse at its Sant Quinti de Mediona (Barcelona) plant to meet growing needs from customers globally.

The investment comprises a state-of-the-art production line and necessary auxiliary equipment to position BCNonwovens for current and changing requirements in the market place. The investment is a logical next step in the company’s customer centric growth strategy to help customers succeed in their respective businesses with world class product quality, service levels and innovation.

The increased capacity will allow the company to further broaden the product portfolio and accelerate innovation for both high volume and specialty customers alike.

Expected start up for the new line is in early 2021.

Lenzing™ Fibers are Fully Biodegradable in Water, Soil and Compost

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The Lenzing Group received confirmation of the full biodegradability of its fibers in fresh water by the independent research laboratory Organic Waste Systems (OWS).

The new and existing international certifications conducted by OWS and issued by TÜV Austria verify that Lenzing™ Viscose fibers, Lenzing™ Modal fibers and Lenzing™ Lyocell fibers are biodegradable in all natural and industrial environments: in the soil, compost as well as in fresh and in marine water.

The biodegradability of cellulosic products and the synthetic fiber polyester was tested in fresh water at OWS according to valid international standards, e.g. ISO 14851. At the end of the trial period, Lenzing™ wood-based cellulosic fibers, cotton and paper pulp were shown to be fully biodegradable in fresh water in contrast to synthetic polyester fibers. The fact that synthetic materials are not biodegradable leads to major problems in wastewater treatment plants and potentially marine litter. In turn, this not only harms fish and birds living in and close to the oceans but also all marine organisms and us humans.

“The Lenzing Group operates a truly circular business model based on the renewable raw material wood to produce biodegradable fibers returning to nature after use. This complete cycle comprises the starting point of the core value of sustainability embedded in our company strategy sCore TEN and is the ‘raison d’etre’ of our company”, says Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer of the Lenzing Group. “In living up to this positioning, we not only enhance the business of our suppliers, customers and partners along the value chain but also improve the state of the entire textile and nonwovens industries.”

Both the textile and nonwovens industries face huge challenges with respect to littering. If current trends continue, the oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050. Therefore, legislative bodies worldwide can no longer ignore the issue and have moved towards plastics legislation aimed at limiting the vast amount of waste. In response, European lawmakers issued the Single-Use Plastics Directive currently being transposed into national legislation in the EU member states.

Conventional wet wipes and hygiene products mostly contain plastic and were thus identified as one of the product categories to be singled out. Less polluting alternatives are generally encouraged by NGOs and legislators, e.g. products made of biodegradable wood-based cellulosic fibers. Plastic waste including microplastic can persist in the environment for centuries. In contrast, biodegradable materials are the best alternative to single-use plastics because they fully convert back to nature by definition and thus do not require recycling.

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Segment Increased Order Intake and Sales in 2019

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Facing adverse market trends, the Oerlikon Group’s order intake slightly decreased year-on-year by 0.7% to CHF 672 million. However, the Group succeeded in increasing sales by 5.3% to CHF 700 million.

“In the increasingly challenging market environment, we delivered a good performance for the second quarter and for the first half of 2019, driven by strong results of our manmade fibers business,” said Dr. Roland Fischer, CEO Oerlikon Group. “We increased Group sales and sustained operating profitability. Group orders came in slightly lower in the second quarter due to weak markets. The results underscore the resilience of our business while facing tough markets and confirm that we have a sound strategy and business model.”

“Economic growth around the world is stalling, resulting in lower investments in equipment and industrial production. These developments have impacted most of our end markets, from automotive to tooling and general industries, encompassing sectors such as semiconductors and electronics. Amid mounting geopolitical and market uncertainties, and given that the anticipated market recovery for our surface solutions business in the second half of the year is no longer visible, we are adjusting our guidance for 2019,” added Dr. Fischer. “Based on our reassessment, we expect to deliver around the same level of performance as for the full-year 2018.”

Oerlikon Group second quarter review

In the second quarter of 2019, the global economy further slowed down, exacerbated by drawn-out trade disputes. Significantly weaker-than-expected industrial production translated to lower volumes, and consequently reining in of investments for equipment and declining demand for services. These developments were registered across multiple markets, including automotive, tooling and general industries, and partly in aerospace.

Facing adverse market trends, the Oerlikon Group’s order intake slightly decreased year-on-year by 0.7% to CHF 672 million. However, the Group succeeded in increasing sales by 5.3% to CHF 700 million, underlining Oerlikon’s structural growth and resilient business model built on technology leadership in long-term attractive markets. At constant exchange rates, sales stood at CHF 720 million. EBITDA for the second quarter increased to CHF 121 million, corresponding to a margin of 17.3%. EBIT for Q2 2019 was at CHF 70 million, or 10.1% of sales. The second-quarter performance resulted in a rolling 12?month Oerlikon Group return on capital employed (ROCE) of 9.5%.

Oerlikon Group half-year overview

In the first half of 2019, the Group’s order intake declined year-on-year by 5.7% to CHF 1 352 million, primarily due to the record level of orders in the manmade fibers business in the first half of 2018. Sales came in 4.3% higher than the prior year, reaching CHF 1 324 million. With the increase in sales, the EBITDA for the half year amounted to CHF 214 million, corresponding to a margin of 16.2%. The results from continuing operations for the half year came in at CHF 80 million – a 12% decrease year-over-year, primarily due to an increase in the cost of sales.

As of June 30, 2019, Oerlikon had equity (attributable to shareholders of the parent) of CHF 1 798 million, representing an equity ratio of 48% (year end 2018: 44%). Net cash on June 30, 2019 amounted to CHF 380 million (year end 2018: CHF 398 million) after dividend payouts of CHF 1 per share and the repayment of a CHF 300 million Swiss bond. Cash flow from operating activities for the first half of 2019 decreased to CHF -11 million, compared to CHF 194 million in 2018, due to an increase in receivables and inventories, as well as a decrease in payables and contract liabilities.

2019 outlook adjusted

Global economic slowdown is expected to prevail in the second half of 2019, with looming threats from geopolitical instabilities and concerns that trade disputes could intensify. As a result, Oerlikon is adjusting its guidance. Despite the aforementioned environment, Group orders, sales and the EBITDA margin are projected to be sustained at around the same level as in 2018. Specifically, order intake is anticipated to reach up to CHF 2.7 billion, sales are to exceed CHF 2.6 billion and the EBITDA margin is to be around 15.5%.

Manmade Fibers Segment

The Manmade Fibers Segment succeeded in sustaining its high level of performance – increasing order intake by 5.7% and sales by 18.5% in the second quarter. Sales in the second quarter represented the highest level of sales achieved by the segment since 2013. Sales growth was recorded primarily in textile applications such as filament equipment and texturing, and was substantiated by a healthy demand for systems used in industrial yarn spinning (special filament) and nonwovens (plant engineering).

Sales increased significantly in Europe (>140%), albeit from a low base, while China saw a healthy 26% growth. A decline in sales was registered in North America (-15%) and in India (-85%) compared to the second quarter of 2018.

VEOCEL™ Launches New Certification Criteria to Elevate Sustainability and Biodegradability

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With the new certification scheme for its VEOCEL™ branded fibers, Lenzing establishes its fiber brand as a label of trust for eco-conscious consumers. Only personal care and beauty products made from 100% cellulosic and biodegradable fiber materials are now qualified to feature the VEOCEL™ logo.

Lenzing Group (Lenzing) unveiled the new co-branding certification criteria for its specialty nonwoven ingredient brand – VEOCEL™. From 1 July 2019, the VEOCEL™ logo will only be featured on personal care and beauty products made from 100% cellulosic and biodegradable fiber materials. This is an industry-first approach to establish a fiber ingredient brand as a label of trust, which aims to facilitate consumers in identifying sustainable nonwovens personal care and beauty products such as wipes, moist toilet tissues and facial sheet masks.

Lenzing, as a nonwovens fiber producer and advocate for sustainability, has taken an industry first step to enable consumers to make eco-conscious choices. Brands and retailers who intend to feature the VEOCEL™ logo on their personal care and beauty products may now only use blends of raw materials that are entirely cellulosic and biodegradable. Such valiant move further represents Lenzing’s commitment to offer sustainable solutions for consumers who would like to enjoy the convenience of single-use products with a clear conscience.

Reinforce the VEOCEL™ brand promise and the new certification criteria

“Natural circularity” – the brand promise of VEOCEL™, is based on three main pillars: botanic origin, environmentally sound production and biodegradability. VEOCEL™ branded fibers are made from the renewable raw material wood and produced through environmentally responsible processes. The fibers are fully biodegradable, endowed with the ability to break down safely and quickly and fully revert back to nature after disposal.

VEOCEL™ branded products range from fibers in personal care and beauty wipes, moist toilet tissues to facial sheet masks. The introduction of new certification criteria further upholds the VEOCEL™ brand’s label of trust promise, allowing only 100% cellulosic and biodegradable materials such as LENZING™ branded viscose, cotton and wood pulp to blend with VEOCEL™ branded fibers. Such stringent measures safeguard the label of trust commitment and benchmark of the VEOCEL™ brand, and consumers can be ensured that VEOCEL™ co-branded products are free from fossil-based materials and bio-plastics.

News

Kelheim Fibres wins World of Wipes Innovation Award

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During the World of Wipes in Atlanta, the Bavarian manufacturer of viscose speciality fibres has been presented with the World of Wipes Innovation Award.

The award recognizes the newly developed Danufil®QR fibre, a positively charged viscose fibre, that was specifically designed for use in disinfectant wipes: Danufil® QR is the only viscose fibre worldwide that – in contrast to standard viscose fibres – binds less than 10% of “quats” (quarternary ammonium compounds), so that this common disinfectant can release its intended effect in the wipe. Danufil® QR fibres are completely made of renewable cellulose and therefore fully biodegradable. They can be easily processed with all nonwovens technologies.

The annually presented WoW Innovation Award honours products that both expand the use of nonwovens and demonstrate creativity, uniqueness, and technical sophistication. The unique thing about the award: One third of the votes comes directly from the WOW attendees.

“Product innovations have a right to exist only if they work in practice and if they create added value. Therefore, we are particularly pleased about this approval from the industry”, says Matthew North, Commercial Director at Kelheim Fibres.

North also takes the award as a confirmation of the company’s strategy: After a large fire in October 2018, Kelheim Fibres is currently rebuilding their fibre production site.

“We seize the historic opportunity to rebuild our plant with state-of-the-art technology and to meet the latest environmental standards. At the same time, we use the resulting slow-down in production to focus our energy even more on new fibre developments and process improvements. “Coming back stronger” remains our motto!”