Processes: Airlaid

Georgia-Pacific has exited the airlaid nonwovens market through the sale of its U.S. operation to Glatfelter in May 2021. The $175 million deal included G-P’s  Mount Holly, NC, airlaid manufacturing operation along with a nonwovens product development operation and associated employees in Memphis, TN, which collectively employ approximately 140 people. The Mount Holly facility produces high-quality airlaid products focused on wipes and table top materials. The new product development resources will enhance ongoing innovation efforts.

The U.S. nonwovens business generated annual net sales and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $100 million and $20 million, respectively.

“Georgia-Pacific nonwovens employees at Mt. Holly and Memphis have run safe, productive operations and worked hard to advance our nonwovens business to meet customer needs,” says Mike Adams, president – Georgia-Pacific Professional and Nonwovens. “We believe this potential sale to Glatfelter, an established manufacturer and supplier of nonwovens products, is in the best interests of both customers and our nonwovens employees.”

Prior to this divestment, Glatfelter had sold its European based airlaid business, located Steinfurt, Germany to Glatfelter in October 2018 for a reported $185 million. This site, which like the Mt. Holly site was once a part of Buckeye Technologies, makes high-quality airlaid products for tabletop, wipes, hygiene, food pads and other nonwoven materials. It made a reported 32,000 metric tons of nonwovens per year and generated sales of $99 million and EBITA of $18 million in 2017.

Once a leader in the airlaid nonwovens business, G-P once operated several sites in Wisconsin but has shifted its focus toward its paper and tissue businesses in recent years.

Plants: Green Bay, WI (two facilities); Gaston County, NC
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Sales declined significantly for Georgia-Pacific in 2019, which significantly reduced its global nonwovens footprint through the sales of its European business to Glatfelter in October 2018. G-P sold a manufacturing site in Steinfurt, Germany, to Glatfelter for a reported $185 million. It makes high-quality airlaid products for tabletop, wipes, hygiene, food pads and other nonwoven materials. It makes 32,000 metric tons of nonwovens per year and generated sales of $99 million and EBITA of $18 million in 2017.

G-P acquired the Steinfurt business through the acquisition of Buckeye Technologies in 2013. G-P continues to operate a former Buckeye facility in Gaston, NC, which houses a 50,000-ton-year line.

Meanwhile, G-P’s original airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Plants: Green Bay, WI (two facilities); Gaston County, NC; Steinfurt, Germany
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Sales will decline significantly more moving forward for airlaid maker Georgia-Pacific, which significantly reduced its global nonwovens footprint through the sales of its European business to Glatfelter in October 2018. G-P sold a manufacturing site in Steinfurt, Germany, to Glatfelter for a reported $185 million. It makes high-quality airlaid products for tabletop, wipes, hygiene, food pads and other nonwoven materials. It makes 32,000 metric tons of nonwovens per year and generated sales of $99 million and EBITA of $18 million in 2017.

G-P acquired the Steinfurt business through the acquisition of Buckeye Technologies in 2013. G-P continues to operate a former Buckeye facility in Gaston, NC which houses a 50,000-ton-year line.

Meanwhile, G-P’s original airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Plants: Green Bay, WI (two facilities); Gaston County, NC; Steinfurt, Germany
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Airlaid maker Georgia-Pacific will soon see a reduction in its global nonwoven sales due to the announced sale of its European business to Glatfelter. Glatfelter announced in July it would purchase the business, which includes a production facility in Steinfurt, Germany and sales offices in France and Italy, for $185 million.

The Steinfurt facility produces high-quality airlaid products for the tabletop, wipes, hygiene, food pad, and other nonwoven materials markets, competing in the marketplace with nonwoven technologies and substrates, as well as other materials focused primarily on consumer based end-use applications. The Steinfurt facility is a state-of-the-art, 32,000-metric-ton-capacity manufacturing facility that employs approximately 220 people.

In 2017, G-P’s European nonwovens business generated net sales of $99 million and EBITDA of $18 million.

G-P acquired the Steinfurt business through the acquisition of Buckeye Technologies in August 2013. Not only did the purchase add about $225 million in nonwovens sales as well as a significant pulp business to G-P, it also made it the world’s largest maker of airlaid with sites in North Carolina in the U.S. and Germany.

Meanwhile, G-P’s original airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Plants: Green Bay, WI (two facilities); Gaston County, NC; Steinfurt, Germany
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Sales improved significantly for Georgia-Pacific following the acquisition of fellow airlaid maker Buckeye Technologies in August 2013. Not only did the purchase add about $225 million in nonwovens sales as well as a significant pulp business to G-P, it also made it the world’s largest maker of airlaid with sites in North Carolina in the U.S. and Germany. As a result of the merger, Georgia-Pacific acquired all of the outstanding stock of Buckeye Technologies, including ownership of its manufacturing facilities—both nonwovens and pulp—global sales offices and headquarters. Employees of Buckeye Technologies (approximately 1200) are now employees of Georgia-Pacific as Buckeye becomes a wholly owned subsidiary.

Buckeye was established in the 1900s as the cottonseed cursing division of Procter & Gamble. It was bought out by management in 1993 and had an initial public offering in 1995.

In the early 2000s, Buckeye added a 50,000-ton-year  “super” airlaid machine in North Carolina and struggled with supply and demand issues for several years following this investment. These struggles ultimately led to the company closing manufacturing sites in Delta, British Columbia, Canada and Cork, Ireland, and executives have described the nonwovens business as healthy in recent years.

Meanwhile, G-P’s existing airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in January 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Meanwhile, G-P’s nonwovens business, which centers on airlaid technology, has continued to perform well by improving its production and reducing costs despite challenging raw material prices. The company benefitted from existing contracts put in place before raw material prices escalated, which kept their impact in check.

Additionally, G-P has been successful in unearthing new market segments for its airlaid technology that had been using other materials. These markets were typically using technology that was more expensive than airlaid but the company was able to show how pulp can perform just as well at a lower cost, according to executives. Successful efforts included reduction in emissions, improved wastewater treatment systems and improved energy efficiency.

Plants: Green Bay, WI, U.S. (two facilities); Gaston County, NC, U.S.; Steinfurt, Germany
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Sales improved significantly for Georgia-Pacific following the acquisition of fellow airlaid maker Buckeye Technologies in August 2013. Not only did the purchase add about $225 million in nonwovens sales as well as a significant pulp business to G-P, it also made it the world’s largest maker of airlaid with sites in North Carolina in the U.S. and Germany. As a result of the merger, Georgia-Pacific acquired all of the outstanding stock of Buckeye Technologies, including ownership of its manufacturing facilities—both nonwovens and pulp—global sales offices and headquarters. Employees of Buckeye Technologies (approximately 1200) are now employees of Georgia-Pacific as Buckeye becomes a wholly owned subsidiary.

Buckeye was established in the 1900s as the cottonseed cursing division of Procter & Gamble. It was bought out by management in 1993 and had an initial public offering in 1995.

In the early 2000s, Buckeye added a 50,000-ton-year  “super” airlaid machine in North Carolina and struggled with supply and demand issues for several years following this investment. These struggles ultimately led to the company closing manufacturing sites in Delta, British Columbia, Canada and Cork, Ireland, and executives have described the nonwovens business as healthy in recent years.

Meanwhile, G-P’s existing airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in January 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Meanwhile, GP’s nonwovens business, which centers on airlaid technology, has continued to perform well by improving its production and reducing costs despite challenging raw material prices. The company benefitted from existing contracts put in place before raw material prices escalated, which kept their impact in check.

Additionally, G-P has been successful in unearthing new market segments for its airlaid technology that had been using other materials. These markets were typically using technology that was more expensive than airlaid but the company was able to show how pulp can perform just as well at a lower cost, according to executives. Successful efforts included reduction in emissions, improved wastewater treatment systems and improved energy efficiency.

Plants : Green Bay, WI, U.S. (two facilities); Gaston County, NC, U.S.; Steinfurt, Germany
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Major Markets : Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Sales improved significantly for Georgia-Pacific following the acquisition of fellow airlaid maker Buckeye Technologies in August 2013. Not only did the purchase add about $225 million in nonwovens sales as well as a significant pulp business to G-P, it also made it the world’s largest maker of airlaid with sites in North Carolina in the U.S. and Germany. As a result of the merger, Georgia-Pacific acquired all of the outstanding stock of Buckeye Technologies, including ownership of its manufacturing facilities—both nonwovens and pulp—global sales offices and headquarters. Employees of Buckeye Technologies (approximately 1,200) are now employees of Georgia-Pacific as Buckeye becomes a wholly owned subsidiary.

Buckeye was established in the 1900s as the cottonseed cursing division of Procter & Gamble. It was bought out by management in 1993 and had an initial public offering in 1995.

In the early 2000s, Buckeye added a 50,000-ton-year “super” airlaid machine in North Carolina and struggled with supply and demand issues for several years following this investment. These struggles ultimately led to the company closing manufacturing sites in Delta, British Columbia, Canada and Cork, Ireland, and executives have described the nonwovens business as healthy in recent years.

Meanwhile, G-P’s existing airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in Janaury 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Meanwhile, GP’s nonwovens business, which centers on airlaid technology, has continued to perform well by improving its production and reducing costs despite challenging raw material prices. The company benefitted from existing contracts put in place before raw material prices escalated, which kept their impact in check.

Additionally, GP has been successful in unearthing new market segments for its airlaid technology that had been using other materials. These markets were typically using technology that was more expensive than airlaid but the company was able to show how pulp can perform just as well at a lower cost, according to executives. Successful efforts included reduction in emissions, improved wastewater treatment systems and improved energy efficiency.

Plants: Green Bay, WI, U.S. (two facilities); Gaston County, NC, U.S.; Steinfurt, Germany
Processes:Airlaid, carded
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

Sales improved significantly for Georgia-Pacific following the acquisition of fellow airlaid maker Buckeye Technologies in August 2013. Not only did the purchase add about $225 million in nonwovens sales as well as a significant pulp business to G-P, it also made it the world’s largest maker of airlaid with sites in North Carolina in the U.S. and Germany.

As a result of the merger, Georgia-Pacific acquired all of the outstanding stock of Buckeye Technologies, including ownership of its manufacturing facilities—both nonwovens and pulp—global sales offices and headquarters. Employees of Buckeye Technologies (approximately 1,200) are now employees of Georgia-Pacific as Buckeye becomes a wholly owned subsidiary.

“We are excited to finalize the acquisition,” says John Crowe, chairman and CEO, Buckeye Technologies. “This combination will be very good for a lot of people. Many Buckeye employees will have more opportunities; customers will have more options; community members will continue to have a company with a record of contributing in communities where they operate and, of course, shareholders get a very nice return.” Buckeye was established in the 1900s as the cottonseed cursing division of Procter & Gamble. It was bought out by management in 1993 and had an initial public offering in 1995. In the early 2000s, Buckeye added a 50,000-ton-year “super” airlaid machine in North Carolina and struggled with supply and demand issues for several years following this investment. These struggles ultimately led to the company closing manufacturing sites in Delta, British Columbia, Canada and Cork, Ireland, and executives have described the nonwovens business as healthy in recent years.

Jim Hannan, CEO and president of Georgia-Pacific, added, “We are very pleased to welcome the talented Buckeye employees to our company. They, along with Buckeye Technologies’ assets, innovation capabilities, advanced technologies, and specialty fibers and nonwovens businesses, provide a significant platform for continued growth and success for our cellulose and consumer products businesses.”

Meanwhile, G-P’s existing airlaid assets are located exclusively in Green Bay following the divestment of its Italian airlaid business in Janaury 2012. The company has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005 and continues to operate a sizable business in North America. While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Meanwhile, GP’s nonwovens business, which centers on airlaid technology, has continued to perform well by improving its production and reducing costs despite challenging raw material prices. The company benefitted from existing contracts put in place before raw material prices escalated, which kept their impact in check.

Additionally, GP has been successful in unearthing new market segments for its airlaid technology that had been using other materials. These markets were typically using technology that was more expensive than airlaid but the company was able to show how pulp can perform just as well at a lower cost, according to executives. Successful efforts included reduction in emissions, improved wastewater treatment systems and improved energy efficiency.

Plants: Green Bay, WI (two facilities)
Processes: Airlaid, carded
Brands: Airtex, Dritex
Major Markets: Baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent cores, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue, meat packaging

After spending 2012 in divestment mode, Georgia-Pacific (GP) is poised to make a pretty significant investment later this year. In April, the company said it would acquire fellow player in the airlaid and pulp segments Buckeye Technologies. In August, the acquisition was approved as a merger by Buckeye shareholders, who will receive $37.50 per share under the terms of the agreement.

“Buckeye Technologies’ competitive assets and capabilities strongly complement Georgia-Pacific’s existing cellulose business and products. The talented employees, innovation capabilities, advanced technologies, and specialty fibers and nonwovens businesses of Buckeye Technologies will provide a significant platform for continued growth and success,” says Jim Hannan, CEO and president, Georgia-Pacific.

On the nonwovens front, Buckeye will add manufacturing capabilities in North Carolina and Germany to G-P’s existing business. Buckeye’s total nonwovens sales were $228 million in 2012.

A maker of airlaid nonwovens for external and internal usage, GP sold its Italian tissue and airlaid buisnesses in January 2012 to the Lucart Group and finalized the sale of its European tissue business to SCA in 2012. Still, GP, which has been owned by Koch Industries since late 2005, continues to operate a sizable business in North America.

While it is certainly best known for its paper and tissue businesses in both the retail and away-from-home sectors, the Atlanta, GA-based company also is one of the world’s most successful users of airlaid technology. Its output targets both its own end product business as well as external businesses in the baby wipes, industrial and food service wipes, feminine hygiene, absorbent core, tabletop, medical, moist toilet tissue and meat packaging segments.

Meanwhile, GP’s nonwovens business, which centers on airlaid technology, has continued to perform well by improving its production and reducing costs despite challenging raw material prices. The company benefi ted from existing contracts, put in place before raw material prices escalated, which kept their impact in check.

Additionally, GP has been successful in unearthing new market segments for its airlaid technology that had been using other materials. These markets were typically using technology that was more expensive than airlaid but the company was able to show how pulp can perform just as well at a lower cost, according to executives. Successful efforts included reduction in emissions, improved wastewater treatment systems and improved energy efficiency.