Dammam, Saudi Arabia
www.sgn.com.sa
2024 Nonwovens Sales: $140 million

Key Executives
Haitham Al Hudhaif, President; Nigel Gautry, Corporate Marketing and Sales Director; Asem Jameel Assilkhi, CFO

Plants
Manufacturing sites; Dammam and Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Logistics Center: Antwerp (Belgium), Pennsylvania and North Carolina (USA)

Saudi German Nonwovens (SGN) continues to cement its global leadership with the commissioning of its fifth production line—powered by the latest Reicofil 5 technology—at its Rabigh site in Saudi Arabia. Officially inaugurated in May 2025, the expansion affirms SGN’s commitment to delivering superior quality, service excellence and sustainable innovation across the global hygiene and industrial markets.

SGN’s investment in the Reicofil 5 (RF5) line marks a transformative step in its pursuit of operational excellence and next-generation material capabilities. The new line delivers biocomponent and high loft nonwovens with unmatched uniformity, softness and strength—qualities increasingly demanded in premium applications including baby diapers, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene, medical drapes and gowns, agriculture and industrial markets.

“At SGN, quality is not just a benchmark—it’s our foundation,” says Haitham Al Hudhaif, president of SGN. “We continuously invest in best-in-class technology and talent to ensure our partners receive materials that meet the highest global standards. Equally, we are deeply committed to exceptional service, responsiveness, and reliability in every market we serve.”

In tandem with the new line, SGN has launched Sofina, a luxury-grade nonwovens brand built on proprietary innovations and the superior consistency enabled by Reicofil 5 technology. Designed to meet diverse customer needs, Sofina is segmented into three tiers—Sofina Essence, Sofina, and Sofina Royale—each delivering distinct levels of performance, softness and sustainability. The brand is being rolled out in North America and Europe, supported by SGN’s regional logistics hubs and longstanding customer relationships.

SGN’s reputation for dependable supply, technical expertise and proactive customer support has earned it the trust of leading global hygiene brands. The company’s integrated service model—combining localized distribution with global manufacturing—ensures fast response times, reduced lead times and agile supply solutions tailored to evolving market needs.

The new RF5 line joins four existing Reicofil lines operating at SGN’s facilities in Dammam and Rabigh, reinforcing its manufacturing scale and ability to deliver complex, high-quality products at consistent volumes. This expansion not only boosts capacity but also strengthens SGN’s leadership as a partner of choice for customers seeking premium and sustainable nonwoven materials.

Beyond hygiene, SGN has also made significant strides in the medical nonwovens segment. Since upgrading its line no. 1 in 2017, SGN has developed and commercialized advanced AAMI Level 3 alcohol-repellent and antistatic materials, helping to address the critical need for PPE during the pandemic. The company’s commitment to excellence in quality and delivery has been formally recognized by customers such as Mölnlycke Healthcare.

Plants: Damman and Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi German Company for Nonwoven Products (SGN) continues to await the completion of its latest investment line, a new Reicofil 5 spunmelt production line focused on sustainable and premium products in Saudi Arabia. Announced in early 2023, the new line will help the company meet demand for sustainable and premium products globally, the company said when announcing the new line.

In October 2023, SGN confirmed the new line would be located at its Rabigh, Saudi Arabia, facility. At the time, the company said the line would be commissioned in late 2024 or early 2025.

The new R5 Spunmelt line in Rabigh is set to further strengthen SGN’s capacity to produce sustainable and premium products, catering to diverse markets including baby diapers, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene, medical, agriculture and industrial sectors. This expansion not only enhances SGN’s product range but also amplifies its global footprint, reinforcing its status as a leader in the nonwoven products sector.

Presently, SGN has a significant presence in the baby diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene markets and holds long-standing partnerships with multinational brands in North America, Europe and regionally. In addition, the organization operates multiple distribution centers in Europe and North America that localize the supply point of these new materials, delivering agility and local supply, according to Haitham Al Hudhaif, president of SGN.

SGN is a leader in the hygiene market locally and globally, with a significant presence in markets that demand products that meet sustainability goals while also delivering tangible benefits to the consumer. The new Reicofil 5 (RF5) line will add capacity and capability to the company’s current manufacturing capabilities, which include four Reicofil lines in two sites in Saudi Arabia. The investment will deliver biocomponent and corresponding high loft capabilities, complementing SGN’s current premium product range, already well received by customers seeking material for higher tier categories.

Saudi Arabia has a clear direction with “Vision 2030,” which includes more than 60 initiatives under the Saudi Green Initiatives. Investing in capabilities that allow sustainable development underlines SGN’s commitment to the Vision 2030 objectives and the company’s domestic and international markets.

Within SGN’s hygiene business, its UltraSoft Plus materials are being used by a major international brand in a new launch within its premium diaper range. Both the Soft Touch and Soft Touch Plus brands were developed using SGN’s proprietary technology for customers in the premium segments of baby, adult and feminine care to add extra value to the end products.

Beyond hygiene, SGN entered the medical market in 2017 through a multi-million investment in its oldest production line. Recent developments in this market included the development and commercialization of AAMI level 3 antistatic and alcohol repellent materials to support increased demand for PPE during the pandemic, the localization of converting efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and accolades from Mölnlycke Healthcare for supply and quality of medical products.

Plants: Damman and Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Processes: Spunmelt
Market: Hygiene, medical

Earlier this year, Saudi German Company for Nonwoven Products (SGN) announced it would invest in a new Reicofil 5 spunmelt production line focused on sustainable and premium products at its facility in Saudi Arabia.

“Through investment in the new R5 Spunmelt line, SGN will deliver additional capacity to meet market demand for sustainable and premium products globally. Presently, SGN has a significant presence in the baby diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene markets and holds long-standing partnerships with multinational brands in North America, Europe and regionally. In addition, our organization operates multiple distribution centers in Europe and North America that localize the supply point of these new materials, delivering agility and local supply,” says Haitham Al Hudhaif, president of SGN.

SGN is a leader in the hygiene market locally and globally, with a significant presence in markets that demand products that meet sustainability goals while also delivering tangible benefits to the consumer. The new Reicofil 5 (RF5) line will add capacity and capability to the company’s current manufacturing capabilities, which include four Reicofil lines in two sites in Saudi Arabia. The investment will deliver biocomponent and corresponding high loft capabilities, complementing SGN’s current premium product range, already well received by customers seeking material for higher tier categories.

Saudi Arabia has a clear direction with “Vision 2030,” which includes more than 60 Initiatives under the Saudi Green Initiatives. Investing in capabilities that allow sustainable development underlines SGN’s commitment to the Vision 2030 objectives and the company’s domestic and international markets.

Within SGN’s hygiene business, its UltraSoft Plus materials are being used by a major international brand in a new launch within its premium diaper range. Both the Soft Touch and Soft Touch Plus brands were developed using SGN’s proprietary technology for customers in the premium segment of baby, adult and feminine care to add extra value to the end products.

Beyond hygiene, SGN entered the medical market in 2017 through a multi-million investment in its oldest production line. Recent developments in this market included the development and commercialization of AAMI level 3 antistatic and alcohol repellent materials to support increased demand for PPE during the pandemic, the localization of converting efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and accolades from Mölnlycke Healthcare for supply and quality of medical products.

Plants: Damman and Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Processes: Spunmelt
Market: Hygiene, medical

SGN continues to hold true to its company ethos of “Delivering World Class Quality Nonwovens, with Agility, Customer Engagement and Supply Chain Excellence.” While the pandemic tested many producers, SGN continued to manufacture and supply nonwovens without any loss of production or supply to key accounts in Europe and the U.S. In particular, SGN’s medical range of nonwovens was heavily sought after globally.

SGN currently operates two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The Rabigh site was added in 2011 to give SGN better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes to China and Europe. The company also has distribution centers in Belgium and the U.S.

Within SGN’s hygiene business, its UltraSoft Plus materials were used this year by a major international brand in a new launch within its premium diaper range. Both the Soft Touch and Soft Touch Plus brands were developed using SGN’s proprietary technology for customers in the premium segment of baby, adult and feminine care to add extra value to the end products.

Beyond hygiene, SGN entered the medical market in 2017 through a multi-million investment in its oldest production line. Recent developments in this market included the development and commercialization of AAMI level 3 antistatic and alcohol repellent materials to support increased demand for PPE during the pandemic, the localization of converting efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and accolades from Mölnlycke Healthcare for supply and quality of medical products.

Plants: Damman and Rabigh, Saudi Arbia
Processes: Spunmelt
Market: Hygiene, medical

During 2020, SGN held true to its company ethos of “Delivering World Class Quality Nonwovens, with Agility, Customer Engagement and Supply Chain Excellence.” While the pandemic tested many producers, SGN continued to manufacture and supply nonwovens without any loss of production or supply to key accounts in Europe and the U.S. In particular, SGN’s medical range of nonwovens was heavily sought after globally.

SGN currently operates two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The Rabigh site was added in 2011 to give SGN better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes to China and Europe. The company also has distribution centers in Belgium and the U.S.

Within SGN’s hygiene business, its UltraSoft Plus materials were used this year by a major international brand in a new launch within its premium diaper range. Both the Soft Touch and Soft Touch Plus brands were developed using SGN’s proprietary technology for customers in the premium segment of baby, adult and feminine care to add extra value to the end products.

Beyond hygiene, SGN entered the medical market in 2017 through a multi-million investment in its oldest production line. Recent developments in this market included the development and commercialization of AAMI level 3 antistatic and alcohol repellent materials to support increased demand for PPE during the pandemic, the localization of converting efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and accolades from Molnlyke Healthcare for supply and quality of medical products.

“Supply security is very high upon our agenda and as such our distribution centers have worked seamlessly during the pandemic to maintain our superior supply reliability while navigating the international shipping crisis,” says Nigel Gautry, marketing and sales manager.

Plants: Dammam, Rabigh, KSA; Antwerp, Belgium (distribution center)
ISO Certification: ISO9001:2008
Processes: Spunmelt; SSS, SMMS, SSMMS. Medical treatment line
Major Markets: Hygiene—baby care, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene; Medical—gowns, scrubs, sterilization wraps; Agriculture—crop covers and mulching fabrics; Industrial—furniture, bedding and filtration

The big news from Saudi German Nonwovens is expansion into the U.S. While full scale nonwovens production is not on the horizon, for now, the company set up a U.S. distribution center to better serve its customers in the region in 2017. It has allowed SGN to bring to North American customers the same added value as its European customers, says sales director Nigel Gautry.

Benefits to the customers include a secure, flexible and agile supply chain that can deliver on-time delivery performance in the 95th percentile, order to delivery within 24 hours, depending on customer locations.

SGN’s nonwovens operation includes two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The newer of the two sites, Rabigh, was added in 2011 to provide SGN with better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes from China to Europe. The investment fueled success in Europe by servicing the EU distribution center in Antwerp, Belgium.

With many of the world’s largest consumer companies among its customers, SGN mainly sells its materials outside of Saudi Arabia and attributes its international success to relationship management.

The new site in Rabigh sits on 70,000 square meters of land which gives it enough space for four or five manufacturing lines. While the company is now solely focused on the spunmelt market, Gautry says that future investments will respond to the market demands for all nonwoven materials.

In terms of technology, recent developments have led to the introduction of UltraSoft and UltraSoft-plus for the hygiene industry, and the company introduced a range of apparel, draping and wrapping solutions for the medical fabrics market in 2017 that was made possible through a multimillion dollar investment to its oldest production line. Developments like this are expected to contribute to rapid growth for SGN in these markets, according to executives.

This new capacity is being readily accepted in drape and gown, SMS products in anti-static and the higher demanding alcohol repellent materials, executives say.

Meanwhile, SGN UltraSoft has had excellent penetration in baby diaper topsheets, in many cases replacing air through bonded nonwovens and also adult incontinence backsheets, with further development in side leg cuffs showing real promise.

Plants: Dammam, Rabigh, KSA; Antwerp, Belgium (distribution center)
ISO Certification: ISO9001:2008
Processes: Spunmelt; SSS, SMMS, SSMMS. Medical treatment line.
Major Markets: Hygiene—baby care, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene; Medical—gowns, scrubs, sterilization wraps; Agriculture—crop covers and mulching fabrics; Industrial—furniture, bedding and filtration

The big news from Saudi German Nonwovens is expansion into the U.S. While full scale nonwovens production is not on the horizon, for now, the company set up a U.S. distribution center to better serve its customers in the region in 2017. It has allowed SGN to bring to North American customers the same added value as its European customers, says sales director Nigel Gautry.

Benefits to the customers include a secure, flexible and agile supply chain that can deliver on-time delivery performance in the 95th percentile, order to delivery within 24 hours, depending on customer locations.

SGN’s nonwovens operation includes two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The newer of the two sites, Rabigh, was added in 2011 to provide SGN with better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes from China to Europe. The investment fueled success in Europe by servicing the EU distribution center in Antwerp, Belgium.

With many of the world’s largest consumer companies among its customers, SGN mainly sells its materials outside of Saudi Arabia and attributes its international success to relationship management.

The new site in Rabigh sits on 70,000 square meters of land which gives it enough space for four or five manufacturing lines. While the company is now solely focused on the spunmelt market, Gautry says that future investments will respond to the market demands for all nonwoven materials.

In terms of technology, recent developments have led to the introduction of UltraSoft and UltraSoft-plus for the hygiene industry, and the company introduced a range of apparel, draping and wrapping solutions for the medical fabrics market in 2017 that was made possible through a multimillion dollar investment to its oldest production line. Developments like this are expected to contribute to rapid growth for SGN in these markets, according to executives.

This new capacity is being readily accepted in drape and gown, SMS products in anti-static and the higher demanding alcohol repellent materials, executives say.

Meanwhile, SGN UltraSoft has had excellent penetration in baby diaper topsheets, in many cases replacing air through bonded nonwovens and also adult incontinence backsheets, with further development in side leg cuffs showing real promise.

Plants: Dammam, Rabigh, KSA; Antwerp, Belgium (distribution center)
ISO Certification: ISO9001:2008
Processes: Spunmelt; SSS, SMMS, SSMMS. Medical treatment line.
Major Markets: Hygiene—baby care, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene; Medical—gowns, scrubs, sterilization wraps; Agriculture—crop covers and mulching fabrics; Industrial—furniture, bedding and filtration
The big news from Saudi German Nonwovens is expansion into the U.S. While full scale nonwovens production is not

on the horizon, for now, the company set up a U.S. distribution center to better serve its customers in the region in 2017. It has allowed SGN to bring to North American customers the same added value as its European customers, says sales director Nigel Gautry.

Benefits to the customers include a secure, flexible and agile supply chain that can deliver on-time delivery performance in the 95th percentile, order to delivery within 24 hours, depending on customer locations..

SGN’s nonwovens operation includes two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The newer of the two sites, Rabigh, was added in 2011 to provide SGN with better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes from China to Europe. The investment fueled success in Europe by servicing the EU distribution center in Antwerp, Belgium.

With many of the world’s largest consumer companies among its customers, SGN mainly sells its materials outside of Saudi Arabia and attributes its international success to relationship management.

The new site in Rabigh sits on 70,000 square meters of land which gives it enough space for four or five manufacturing lines. While the company is now solely focused on the spunmelt market, Gautry says that future investments will respond to the market demands for all nonwoven materials.

In terms of technology, recent developments have led to the introduction of UltraSoft and UltraSoft-plus for the hygiene industry, and the company introduced a range of apparel, draping and wrapping solutions for the medical fabrics market in 2017 that was made possible through a multimillion dollar investment to its oldest production line. Developments like this are expected to contribute to rapid growth for SGN in these markets, according to executives.

“Our new medical capacity is being readily accepted in drape and gown, SMS products in anti-static and the higher demanding alcohol repellent materials,” Gautry says.

Meanwhile, SGN UltraSoft has had excellent penetration in baby diaper top sheets, in many cases replacing air through bonded nonwovens and also adult incontinence backsheets, with further development in side leg cuffs showing real promise.

Plants: Dammam, Rabigh, KSA; Antwerp, Belgium (distribution center)
ISO Certification: ISO9001:2008
Processes: Spunmelt; SSS, SMMS, SSMMS. Medical treatment line.
Major Markets: Hygiene—baby care, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene; Medical—gowns, scrubs, sterilization wraps; Agriculture—crop covers and mulching fabrics; Industrial—furniture, bedding and filtration

The big news from Saudi German Nonwoven is expansion into the U.S. While full scale nonwovens production is not on the horizon, for now, the company has decided to set up a U.S. distribution center to better serve its customers in the region.

“SGN has been successful in delivering the highest quality nonwovens at the most competitive costs to our European customers via our European Distribution Centre,” says marketing and sales director Nigel Gautry. “We have been assessing opportunities to bring the same high level of quality nonwovens at the most competitive costs to the U.S.”

The center, which will be up and running by the end of 2017, will allow SGN to bring to North American customers the same added value to which our European customers are enjoying.

“The major benefit to the customers will be a secure, flexible and agile supply chain that can deliver on-time delivery performance in the 95th percentile, order to delivery within 24 hours, depending on customer location,” he adds.

SGN’s nonwovens operation includes two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The newer of the two sites, Rabigh, was added in 2011 to provide SGN with better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes from China to Europe. The investment fueled success in Europe by servicing the EU distribution center in Antwerp, Belgium.

With many of the world’s largest consumer companies among its customers, SGN mainly sells its materials outside of Saudi Arabia and attributes its international success to relationship management.

The new site in Rabigh sits on 70,000 square meters of land which gives it enough space for four or five manufacturing lines. While the company is now solely focused on the spunmelt market, Gautry says that future investments will respond to the market demands for all nonwoven materials.

In terms of technology, recent developments have led to the introduction of UltraSoft and UltraSoft-plus for the hygiene industry, and the company plans to introduce a range of apparel, draping and wrapping solutions for the medical fabrics market before the end of 2017. Developments like this are expected to contribute to rapid growth for SGN in these markets, according to executives.

In other investment news, SGN made a multimillion dollar investment to its oldest production line to make materials suitable for the medical market. SGN will market these materials under the Ultramed brand name, which feature softness, a range of bonding patterns and high barrier protection.

“It was time for us to diversify,” says Gautry. “There is a growing aging population which means more requirements for materials in medical and healthcare.”

Plants: Dammam, Rabigh, KSA. Antwerp, Belgium (distribution center)
ISO Certification: ISO9001:2008
Processes: Spunmelt; SSS, SMMS, SSMMS. Medical treatment line.
Major Markets: Hygiene—baby care, adult incontinence, feminine hygiene; Medical gowns, scrubs, sterilization wraps; Agriculture—crop covers and mulching fabrics: Industrial—furniture, bedding and filtration

New to the report this year is Saudi German Nonwovens Co., a Saudi Arabian maker of spunmelt and spunbond nonwovens mainly for hygiene and other applications. Coming in at No. 36 this year with estimated sales of $125 million, SGN is celebrating 20 years of operations in 2016. The company started out in 1996 as a joint venture with BBA Coravin and became a stand-alone company led by the industrial partners of Al Raji and Zamil, in 2008 when BBA sold its stake in the company.

“Saudi Arabia is an excellent location for nonwovens manufacturing,” director of marketing and sales Nigel Gautry says. “Saudi is the second largest oil producing country in the world, 10 million barrels per day, thus Saudi has ample polypropylene supplies, low cost of electricity, a monetary system that attracts highly skilled individuals from across the globe.”

SGN currently operates two plants in Saudi Arabia—one in Damman and the other in Rabigh. The newer of the two sites, Rabigh, was added in 2011, to provide SGN with better access to the Suez Canal and position it among the main trade routes from China to Europe.

“This investment has fueled our success in Europe by servicing the EU distribution center in Antwerp, Belgium—basically we have added one machine to Europe without leaving the shores of Saudi Arabia,” Gautry says.

The distribution center in Antwerp allows SGN to ensure that its European customers are serviced as per a local manufacturer, providing faster and more efficient service. With many of the world’s largest consumer companies among its customers, SGN mainly sells its materials outside of Saudi Arabia and attributes its international success to relationship management.

“SGN has grown via carefully created and managed partnerships with strategic customers,” Gautry says. “Our customers grow based on value and we intend to grow with them by providing the bespoke value they require.”

The new site in Ribigh sits on 70,000 square meters of land which gives it enough space for four or five manufacturing lines. While the company is now solely focused on the spunmelt market, Gautry says that future investments will respond to the market demands for all nonwoven materials.

In terms of technology, recent developments have led to the introduction of UltraSoft and UltraSoft-plus for the hygiene industry, and the company plans to introduce a range of apparel, draping and wrapping solutions for the medical fabrics market before the end of 2016. Developments like this are expected to contribute to rapid growth for SGN in these markets, according to executives.