Emsdetten, Germany
www.twe-group.com
2024 Nonwovens Sales: $495 million

Key Personnel
Jörg Ortmeier, CEO; Ralf Berens, CCO

Plants
Germany, France, Belgium, U.S., China, India

Processes
Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid

Major Markets
Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

Continued growth in the North American automotives market helped offset macroeconomic conditions like rising energy costs and trade barriers at TWE Group. In 2024, TWE’s nonwoven activities generated total nonwovens sales of $495 million. Other highlights included strong global performance in the hygiene market and robust organic development in its building and construction business.

Within the U.S., where TWE operates facilities in Texas, North Carolina and Indiana, the automotives market now represents a share on par with the company’s long-standing hygiene business. Recent investments include new needlepunch capacity and equipment to meet market demand and these assets are already well utilized. Looking ahead, new technologies for both automotives and acoustic building applications in North America are likely.

“The strong demand has resulted in high utilization rates, and we are actively exploring additional investments to further increase capacity and flexibility in the region,” says CCO Ralf Berens.

Additional focus in this market segment has centered on sustainability like integrating sustainable fibers that are biodegradable, compostable or made from recycled sources. In automotives specifically, TWE sees growing demand for natural fiber applications and materials with reduced environmental impact, which aligns with both regulatory trends and OEM preferences.

For TWE, the hygiene market also remains promising with solid growth potential thanks to its strong position and dedicated capacity in both chemical bonded and air-through bonded nonwovens. To support continued growth, TWE is currently building a new production site in Bhopal, India. This facility will initially house two hygiene lines targeting ADL and lightweight topsheet and backsheet applications for the baby, feminine care and adult incontinence markets. The site is designed for scalable expansion, with space for up to four to six lines in total.

TWE is already present in India through its joint venture partnership with Obeetee Textiles (OTL). As part of this collaboration, TWE owns a 50% shareholding in OTL, a key player in the Indian nonwovens market, particularly the automotives segment. When the JV was formed in 2023, the two companies said they would invest in new manufacturing capacity for nonwovens targeting the health and hygiene segments.

“Our joint venture in India has been highly successful and continues to play a key role in our global strategy. In addition to expanding hygiene capacity through the new Bhopal site, the JV has solidified our footprint in India’s fast-growing automotive and living markets. We are very satisfied with the development and believe India will remain a high-growth market for years to come,” Berens adds.

In addition to expansion, innovation continues to be a key growth driver for TWE’s hygiene business. Recent developments include a high-performance ADL inlet booster that significantly outperforms standard ADLs in rewet and acquisition time as well as a new odor-control ADL under the name AqFresh, which was developed in partnership with Aqdot. This material incorporates supramolecular odor absorbers and represents a new standard in malodor management.

Beyond hygiene and automotive, our filtration, healthcare and cleaning businesses remain stable and strategically relevant.

“We continue to support these sectors with tailored nonwoven solutions and see ongoing opportunities—especially in HVAC and industrial filtration, medical and professional cleaning,” Berens says. “These areas benefit from our technical know-how and flexible production capabilities, allowing us to respond quickly to market needs.”

However, the year was not without its challenges including trade barriers and rising energy costs. “We have actively responded by increasing our reliance on renewable energy sources and investing in energy efficiency,” says Berens. “This includes switching from gas to electric heating on some lines, upgrading equipment, and installing photovoltaic systems—especially at our sites in China and Meulebeke, Belgium. These initiatives have reduced our energy footprint and helped us absorb rising costs without passing them directly on to customers.”

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, U.S., China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

The automotive market, particularly in the U.S. continues to be a key driver of success for TWE Group. The Emsdetter, Germany-based company has U.S. sites in Shertz, TX, High Point, NC, and Fort Wayne, IN. This market has lately been characterized by evolving consumer preferences and stricter environmental regulations, meaning suppliers have been challenged with creating materials that are not only more sustainable and technologically advanced but also lighter in weight. In 2022 and 2023, TWE’s focus on lightweight and more eco-friendly solutions has aligned well with the evolving needs of the automotive industry, according to CEO Jörg Ortmeier. “This strategic approach enabled us to seize opportunities in the U.S. automotive sector and achieve high growth rates,” he adds.

In recent months, TWE has worked to modernize its manufacturing sites in Europe, the U.S. and Asia with an aim to enhance efficiency and increase production capacity to effectively meet the growing demand for its products while maintaining a competitive edge. In Europe, TWE has added a line to enhance the lamination processes and create more sophisticated and advanced multilayer products. This investment aligns with TWE’s dedication to innovation and maintaining its leadership in the industry.

In the U.S., TWE has added a new needlepunch line to produce high-quality products in the field of exterior automotive parts efficiently, and in China, the company has constructed a new line for its highly successful CaliWeb Material, a high-performance nonwoven that replaces foam and provides benefits such as enhanced climatization and low VOCs. This reflects the company’s commitment to providing environmentally friendly cutting-edge solutions to its customers and expanding its capabilities in the Chinese market.

Within the hygiene market, another strong market for TWE, demand for softer, more sustainable products has led to investment in research and development to create innovative materials that meet these criteria while also focusing on environmental consciousness. Last year, the company said it would add an air though bonding line at its site in Belgium, which was formerly owned by Libeltex. It also continues to invest in upgrading the capabilities of existing production lines. Most recently, the company upgraded an ATB line, constructed in 2019 to handle lower material weights at super high speeds.

Within this business area, TWE has also maintained its commitment to investigating raw materials that are not reliant on plastics, aligning with its sustainability objectives. One notable success is the rePEat product line, which has been developed using materials that can be used more than once, reducing the environmental impact of single-use products. The “rePEaT” brand also encompasses a variety of offerings, including biodegradable nonwovens, compostable products and materials crafted from recycled (social) fibers.

TWE was able to develop these products through a collaboration with Plastic Bank, a world leader, that empowers communities to use plastic waste as currency for access to secure income and life-improving benefits.

TWE is also expanding the global reach of its hygiene products through an Indian-based joint venture announced last year.

Noting that India has seen remarkable nonwovens growth in recent years, particularly in the absorbent hygiene market, TWE has partnered with OBT, an Indian textile company, to set up a new manufacturing facility exclusively dedicated to nonwovens for the health and hygiene sector. The venture aims to contribute to the continued expansion of this growing market.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, U.S., China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

Increased demand for hygiene products and expansion into new market areas helped sales reach $480 million for TWE Group. In 2022, the company entered the building market for acoustical applications and introduced successful new product innovations in the field of fine air filtration such as ParaHyd for the filter classes EPM1 and EPM2.5, which played a significant role in the field of filtration.

Automotives, particularly in the U.S. continues to be a key driver of success for TWE Group. The Emsdetter, Germany-based company has U.S. sites in Waco, TX, High Point, NC and Indianapolis, IN. This market has lately been characterized by evolving consumer preferences and stricter environmental regulations, meaning suppliers have been challenged with creating materials that are not only more sustainable and technologically advanced but also lighter in weight. In 2022 and 2023, TWE’s focus on lightweight and more eco-friendly solutions has aligned well with the evolving needs of the automotive industry, according to CEO Jörg Ortmeier. “This strategic approach enabled us to seize opportunities in the U.S. automotive sector and achieve high growth rates,” he adds.

In recent months, TWE has worked to modernize its manufacturing sites in Europe, the U.S. and Asia with an aim to enhance efficiency and increase production capacity to effectively meet the growing demand for its products while maintaining a competitive edge. In Europe, TWE has added a line to enhance the lamination processes and create more sophisticated and advanced multilayer products. This investment aligns with TWE’s dedication to innovation and maintaining its leadership in the industry.

In the U.S., where TWE has added a new needlepunch line to produce high quality products in the field of exterior automotive parts efficiently, and in China, the company has constructed a new line for its highly successful CaliWeb Material, a high-performance nonwoven that replaces foam and provides benefits such as enhanced climatization and low VOCs. This reflects the company’s commitment to providing environmentally-friendly cutting-edge solutions to our customers and expanding its capabilities in the Chinese market.

“All these investments serve the purpose of bolstering our capabilities across different regions. By modernizing our facilities and introducing new lines and capacities, we are well-prepared to address the increasing demand for our products,” Ortmeier says.

Within the hygiene market, another strong market for TWE, demand for softer, more sustainable products has led to investment in research and development to create innovative materials that meet these criteria while also focusing environmental consciousness. Last year, the company said it would add an air though bonding line at its site in Belgium, which was formerly owned by Libeltex. It also continues to invest in upgrading the capabilities of existing production lines. Most recently, the company upgraded an ATB line, constructed in 2019 to handle lower material weights at super high speeds.

Within this business area, TWE has also maintained its commitment to investigating raw materials that are not reliant on plastics, aligning with its sustainability objectives. One notable success is the rePEat product line, which has been developed using materials that can be used more than once, reducing the environmental impact of single-use products. The “rePEaT” brand also encompasses a variety of offerings, including biodegradable nonwovens, compostable products and materials crafted from recycled (social) fibers.

TWE was able to develop these products through a collaboration with Plastic Bank, a world leader, that empowers communities to use plastic waste as currency for access to secure income and life-improving benefits.

TWE is also expanding the global reach of its hygiene products through an Indian-based joint venture announced earlier this year.

Noting that India has seen remarkable nonwovens growth in recent years, particularly in the absorbent hygiene market, TWE has partnered with OBT, an Indian textile company, to set up a new  manufacturing facility exclusively dedicated to nonwovens for the health and hygiene sector. The venture aims to contribute to the continued expansion of this growing market.

“This partnership with OBT harnesses our synergistic strengths and extensive industry expertise,” Ortmeier adds. “We are confident that it will open up new avenues, foster innovation, and generate enduring value for our customers and stakeholders.”

Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

TWE reported a strong year in 2021, with sales clocking in at $450 million thanks to growth in several business units as well as new investments in the U.S. and Belgium. The company’s main markets are hygiene and automotive but its activity in construction, filtration and healthcare is improving.

“Both hygiene and building performed very well,” says CCO Ralf Berens. “Hygiene grew in air though bonded materials and in particular in baby and incontinence applications. The construction industry also did well in Europe in 2021, and we could gain presence especially in the area of temporary protection as well in as in acoustical and thermal insulation materials. For automotive, the picture was rather mixed. Whereas the U.S. market performed very well—due to our investment in additional capacity—the European market suffered from the supply chain and semiconductor crises.”

Even as other markets fuel growth, hygiene continues to be TWE’s number one market, representing about half of the company’s sales. Here the company has primarily made air through bonded nonwovens for acquisition and distribution layers in hygiene markets but topsheet and backsheet materials are driving most of the growth in the unit.

“Softness is key for the ATB top and backsheet products and this has been enhanced with natural plant-based materials,” Berens says. “A new area of growth is the development of core concepts as the market is more and more moving away from the classical fluff-based solutions.”

To meet increased demand for these materials, TWE is currently building a new air though bonding line at its site in Belgium, which was formerly owned by Libeltex, it also continues to invest in upgrading the capabilities of existing production lines. Most recently, the company upgraded an ATB line, constructed in 2019, to handle lower material weights at super high speeds.

“We realized in the last months that there is a high demand for ultra-soft materials which we can offer to our customers,” Berens says. “As well as we see the need for sustainable solutions and bio material. This is also a focus in our products – especially in view of our new product line rePEaT.”

RePEat is TWE’s circular product range, made either completely or partially from recycled materials. The three main products in this range include rePEaT circular, which are made from an increased amount of recycled fibers or 100% polyester-based waste from its customers; rePEaT social which are made from plastic that has been collected by people in developing countries who can earn a living in this way and rePEaT bio, which comprises products made from natural fibers and biodegradable fibers, e.g. jute, hemp, bamboo, PLA or PBS.

TWE is working with partners on the development of fully biodegradable fibers and on solutions which are not plastic based. New types of biochemistries are used here as well as molecules coming from nature.“The hygiene customers are also looking to overcome the plastic EU directive and they are looking for innovative solutions coming from nature,” Berens says. “We develop bio based materials and bio compostable materials for the need to reduce the plastic waste.”

In automotives, TWE’s second largest business, developments of next generation products with features like EMI Shielding, acoustic improvements and new eco-friendly FR Solutions based on natural fibers are increasing the volume of nonwovens per car. Other developments include new acoustical nonwoven solutions for electric cars and products using natural fibers.

Market demand for lightweight and sustainable products is in part being met through TWE’s new ATB line in Belgium, which, in addition to hygiene applications, can make acoustical and high performance automotive and filtration products. TWE has also invested in new lab equipment for acoustics and installed two filtration labs in Dierdorf, Germany, and Meulebeke, Belgium.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

New investment as well as new product launches helped to keep TWE Group’s 2020 sales steady at $475 million. Strong hygiene sales, increases in the construction market, automotives strength in the U.S. and Europe were able to offset softer mattress sales globally.

Representing about one-third of the company’s sales, TWE’s largest market continues to be hygiene, where the company has been able to successfully launch a number of new products.

These products have in part been made possible with the addition of a new air through bonding line that came onstream in Meulebeke, Belgium, in late 2019 and is described as the most efficient and flexible air through bonding line on the market.

“It offers us the opportunity to produce the whole range of mono and multilayer products, pancakes and spools, at the same time in a better and faster way than any other machinery,” CEO Ralf Berens says. “We can simply serve growing markets in a most efficient way to offer innovative products paired with strong cost competitiveness.”

In recent years, TWE has developed new products for the hygiene market that represent advances in core concepts featuring less material and higher performance. One of these products, Amphibia, is a three-layer material combining an ADL with an absorbing all-in-one core, allowing the diaper to be extremely thin while offering super performance in absorbency, rewetting and distribution of the liquid. It does not require additional adhesive, cutting or another layer.

Other new products include the Dry²Skin range of enhanced products, offering tailor-made ADLs for various core concepts, and Velo, a whole product range of superior materials for soft cover applications (topsheet, backsheet and waistbands) which have been successfully introduced to the market.

TWE’s second largest business, automotives, has benefitted from a new needlepunch line at one of its three U.S. sites, which were acquired in 2015. The line not only adds capacity but also offers opportunities for new product developments featuring lighter weights which has been a key market demand in automotives, particularly in exterior applications thanks to its ability to make competitive, high quality products. However, Berens expects that the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the automotives market to be long lasting.

Beyond hygiene and automotives, TWE is present in markets like filtration, cleaning, medical and construction and has seen particularly nice growth in the building market where its acoustics products are performing well. In many of these markets, TWE is responding to a need for more sustainable products. In 2019, the company introduced a full range of sustainable products featuring alternative raw materials like hemp, kenaf and cotton.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

New investment as well as new product launches helped to keep TWE Group’s 2019 sales steady at $475 million. Strong hygiene sales, increases in the construction market, automotives strength in the U.S. and Europe were able to offset softer mattress sales globally.

Representing about one-third of the company’s sales, TWE’s largest market continues to be hygiene, where the company has been able to successfully launch a number of new products.

These products have in part been made possible with the addition of a new air through bonding line that came onstream in Meulebeke, Belgium, in late 2019 and is described as the most efficient and flexible air through bonding line on the market.

“It offers us the opportunity to produce the whole range of mono and multiayer products, pancakes and spools, at the same time in a better and faster way than any other machinery,” CEO Ralf Berens says. “We can simply serve growing markets in a most efficient way to offer innovative products paired with strong cost competitiveness.”

In recent years, TWE has developed new products for the hygiene market that represent advances in core concepts featuring less material and higher performance.  One of these products, Amphibia, is a three-layer material combining an ADL with an absorbing all-in-one core, allowing the diaper to be extremely thin while offering super performance in absorbency, rewetting and distribution of the liquid. It does not require additional adhesive, cutting or another layer.

“With Amphibia, we are providing a solution to clients to achieve goals for all concepts available from traditional fluff to laminates,” Berens says. “With a sophisticated dosing system, an even and most efficient distribution of SAP in an ADL can be achieved. There are many promising projects currently taking place.”

Other new products include the Dry²Skin range of enhanced products, offering tailor-made ADLs for various core concepts, and Velo, a whole product range of superior materials for soft cover applications (topsheet, backsheet and waistbands) which have been successfully introduced to the market.

“Consumer requirements and expectations to performance are constantly growing,” Berens says. “The performance of our products have been continuously improved accordingly. At the same time ‘feel and touch’ are more in focus which we can provide with our extra lofty and soft materials.”

TWE’s second largest business, automotives, has benefitted from a new needlepunch line at one of its three U.S. sites, which were acquired in 2015. The line not only adds capacity but also offers opportunities for new product developments featuring lighter weights which has been a key market demand in automotives, particularly in exterior applications thanks to its ability to make competitive, high quality products. However, Berens expects that the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the automotives market to be long lasting.

“The month of April, in which all OEMs had to close their production plants, was far below expectations. It is questionable whether the purchase incentives created by the governments are sufficient to create a short-term trend reversal to the originally planned production volumes. The TWE Group assumes that the third and fourth quarter will stabilize compared to the second quarter,” he says. “However, according to some analysts, a return to ‘normalcy’ will only be realistic in two to three years.”

Beyond hygiene and automotives, TWE is present in markets like filtration, cleaning, medical and construction and has seen particularly nice growth in the building market where its acoustics products are performing well. In many of these markets, TWE is responding to a need for more sustainable products. In 2019, the company introduced a full range of sustainable products featuring alternative raw materials like hemp, kenaf and cotton.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

Despite a tough year marked with increased competition, higher raw material prices and weaker demand due to uncertainties and international trade conflicts, TWE Group was able to keep sales flat at $450 million in 2018.  According to CCO Ralf Berens, the company continues to see strong growth in the U.S. automotives market as well as in the hygiene and construction industries globally.

Representing about one-third of the company’s overall sales, hygiene continues to benefit from TWE’s advanced air-through bonding technology which was acquired through the purchase of Libeltex in 2012 and included sites in France, Sweden and Belgium.

“With a global presence and production in multiple countries and a continuing innovative approach, I think that TWE is still rightfully considered as the market leader in the field of acquisition and distribution layer,” Berens says.

In the third quarter of 2019, TWE’s latest air through bonded line came onstream at its site in Meulebeke, Belgium, as planned, not only adding capacity but also improving products. “The new line is also state of the art and is therefore helping us to stay competitive and with high quality products,” Berens says.

In recent years, TWE has benefitted from developments in absorbent core technology. Its Amphibia product is a three-layer material made ideally with no pulp but high performing superabsorbent polymers creating a core fused to an ADL. Amphibia combines an ADL with the absorbing all-in-one core, allowing the diaper to be extremely thin while offering super performance in absorbency, rewetting and distribution of the liquid. It does not require additional adhesive, cutting or another layer.

In response to increasing demand for supersoft products in the hygiene market, TWE has introduced the Velo range. Described as an ultra premium product for coversheet applications in the hygiene market, Velo offers low friction and ultra softness and was made using carded technology. These soft materials are able to be manufactured extremely efficiently on TWE’s aforementioned new line in Meulebeke.

After hygiene, automotives is TWE’s second largest market and it is particularly strong in the U.S. thanks to the acquisition of Vita Nonwovens in 2015. This purchase included manufacturing sites in High Point, NC, Waco, TX and Fort Wayne, IN. While this market has been suffering since the last quarter of 2018, increased efforts on innovation have allowed TWE to offer its customers new products lines, which have compensated for losses in traditional markets.

This focus on innovation will be aided by the completion of a new needlepunch line that has just started supplying customers this summer. The state-of-the-art line will focus primarily on exterior automotive applications thanks to its ability to make competitive, high quality products for the automotives market. The investment also includes a new building for additional product machinery as well as for storage.

Beyond hygiene and automotives, TWE is present in markets like filtration, cleaning, medical and construction and has seen particularly nice growth in the building market where its acoustics products are performing well. In many of these markets, TWE is responding to a need for more sustainable products. In April, the company introduced a full range of sustainable products featuring alternative raw materials like hemp, kenaf and cotton.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunched, hydroentangled, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotives, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

Sales increased slightly at TWE Group, Emsdetten, Germany, thanks to strong sales in the automotives, hygiene and construction markets. The company operates plants in Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, the U.S., and China and has grown significantly in recent years due to acquisitions.

Most recently, the company purchased Vita Nonwovens, a company once owned by British Vita and a former sister company of Libeltex, a company acquired by TWE in 2012. The acquisition of Vita provided manufacturing operations in North Carolina, Texas and Indiana and gave TWE immediate access to the North American automotives market.

“Automotives is very strong globally and we are seeing really strong growth in the U.S., “ says CEO Ralf Berens. “The three sites are still focusing on automotives but we are also focusing on bedding. We are looking at the possibility of servicing our customers globally out of the three U.S., Europe and Asia. “

TWE has already added capacity in North America. Recent investments include a laminator, a new airlay line and a needlepunch line for the automotives market. Additionally, a new building for production and storage space is currently being added in Indiana. Berens says this site was chosen because of its proximity to customers in the automotives market.

In recent years, TWE has not only benefitted from growth in automotives, it has also seen a rise in the number of applications for its nonwoven material in the car. “We have been focusing on new areas on the exterior of the car, like the underbody as well as at interior applications. That is promoting growth.”

TWE’s largest business, hygiene, is largely served from its European production sites once owned by Libeltex. The company is currently adding a new air through bonding line featuring the latest technology, in Belgium, which should begin operation at the beginning of 2019.

“This new line can basically provide standard acquisition and distribution layer material as well as super low weight cover materials,” Berens says.

In recent years, TWE has benefitted from developments in absorbent core technology. Its Amphibia product is a three-layer material ideally with no pulp but high performing superabsorbent polymers creating a core fused to an ADL. Amphibia combines an ADL with the absorbing all-in-one core, allowing the diaper to be extremely thin while offering super performance in absorbency, rewetting and distribution of the liquid. It does not require additional adhesive, cutting or another layer.

Outside of the core, TWE also provides supersoft materials for the topsheet and backsheet of the diaper. Its Softcover product reportedly is setting new standards in the field of softness thanks to specialized fiber formulations.

Also helping to grow TWE’s sales is its Chinese operation which not only serves the Chinese market but also Malaysia and other southeast Asian countries. While automotives continues to be important in China, other markets like contrustion and iltration are too. Meanwhile, hygiene is not growing as quickly as technical markets but has a larger base.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, U.S., China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunch, hydroentanglemened, airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, automotive, building, living, filtration, healthcare, cleaning

TWE Group continues to drive sales upward thanks to innovation in the hygiene market, expansion in automotives and developments in the roofing and construction market. In 2016, the company’s sales reached a record $440 million, up from $435 million in 2015.

TWE’s role in the North American automotives market has seen considerable growth since June 2015 when TWE established a local manufacturing base through the acquisition of Vita Nonwovens, a company once owned by British Vita and a former sister company Libeltex, a European-based company acquired in 2012. The purchase included manufacturing sites in Texas, North Carolina and Indiana and has allowed TWE to capitalize on shared competencies within the two companies. TWE has already added at least one line in North America and is constantly upgrading its operations there.

According to CCO Ralf Berens, the U.S. operation is split fairly evenly between bedding and automotive applications. For automotives, technology and innovation are the two key elements for growth in the segment. “Especially in seating applications, new requirements are emerging,” he says. “The average person spends 100 minutes per day in the car so the experience should be optimized. The seat needs to be more comfortable, the climate needs to be more controlled. There is a lot of development work to be done and nonwovens are meeting the need.”

At TWE, the automotives business is second only to hygiene, representing about 20% of turnover. Berens expects this growth to continue throughout 2017 thanks to proprietary nonwovens technology, which allows TWE to replace existing materials in places like seating and structural parts.

Another benefit is TWE’s ability to offer natural fiber-based nonwoven products for the automotives market thanks to the 2014 acquisition of Isowood a German nonwovens company. Products made in this part of the company can replace plastic-based products offering not only environmental benefits but also increased stability and lower weights.

Within its largest business, hygiene, TWE has been benefiting from developments in absorbent core technology. The latest of these, Amphibia is a three-layer material ideally with no pulp but high performing superabsorbent polymer creating a core fused to an acquisition distribution layer. Amphibia combines an ADL with the absorbing all-in-one core, allowing for an ultrathin diaper that offers better performance in terms of absorbing time, rewet and distribution of the liquid thanks to optimum SAP usage. The material does not require additional adhesive, additional cutting or the addition of a further layer, since Amphibia is already made up of all the necessary components.

“This is on the right trend here, which shows things are getting thinner, offering higher performance and giving customers advantages,” Berens says.

According to Berens, the use of Amphibia has been strong in the European hygiene market and is currently rolling out to the rest of the world.

TWE’s hygiene business is largely based on a proprietary air-through bonded technology, which TWE acquired along with Libeltex, a Belgium-based nonwovnes producer with plants in France, Belgium and Sweden, According to Berens, the Belgium operation will be expanded with a new air-through bonded line next year.

Outside of the core, the use of air through bonded nonwovens is finding home in other parts of the diapers as manufacturers continue to respond for a need of ultrasoft products. TWE’s new Softcover product line is meeting this demand. In cooperation with selected fiber producers, Softcover reportedly sets completely new standards in the field of softness thanks to specialized fiber formulations.

“We are seeing good opportunities for through air and supersoft products—it is a trends coming from Japan so we see good opportunities for us for our hygiene business because we offer supersoft materials, which means little friction, softness and performance,” Berens says.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, U.S., China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunch, hydroentengled and airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, medical, automotive, filtration, building and construction, cleaning wipes, bedding and furniture, apparel

In June 2015, TWE expanded into the U.S. through the acquisition of Vita Nonwovens, a company once owned by British Vita that has more recently been managed by a group of employees. The purchase included manufacturing sites in Texas, North Carolina and Indiana and has allowed TWE to capitalize on shares competencies within the two companies. This is expected to lead to mutual research and the development of new products.  Already, the company has announced it will add two lines, both featuring proprietary technology, to the U.S. operation.

“We want to strengthen our position in the U.S.,” says Ralf Berens, CCO who declined to say exactly where the new lines are located.  “Our strategy is playing out—that is we are serving our global accounts with local manufacturing sites.”

The main focus of the Vita Nonwovens operations is the automotives market and products made at the sites are used in a number of different areas of the vehicle. These products are made through a proprietary thermal compacting and bonding process, which has been greatly improved upon during the past three years.

Currently more than 25% of TWE’s sales are conducted within the automotives segment. In addition to Vita, the acquisition of another company, Isowood, a German nonwovens producer specialized in the use of natural fibers for the automotives market, has helped increase TWE’s role in the segment.

“Before Isowood, we did not have a natural product-based material for the automotives market, just for construction,” Berens says. “This material offers an excellent sound absorption benefit at a low weight. This has been favored in many automotive applications.”

TWE now has 14 plants scattered throughout the U.S., Sweden, France, Belgium, Germany and China. Acquisition has been a growth engine that has worked well for TWE and this pattern will likely continue as it looks to expand into other world regions. “There is a choice to establish a greenfield operation or purchase an existing business, but TWE has been quite successful with acquisitions,” Berens says.

He wouldn’t elaborate on what region is next on TWE’s radar but growing in new geographies has been the company’s strategy for a while. Eventually the company would like to have about half of its sales within Europe with the other half split between the U.S. and greater Asia region.

“In general we want to strengthen our international presence,” Berens says. “We are growing more quickly outside of Europe than within it.”

TWE’s hygiene business, its largest market, was boosted in 2012 through the purchase of Libeltex, once a sister company of Vita Nonwovens, from British Vita. A specialist in air-through bonded nonwovens for core applications, Libeltex also provided TWE with manufacturing sites in France, Belgium and Sweden. Before the acquisition, TWE had mainly been present in Germany.

Libeltex’s air through bonded nonwovens, particularly its SlimCore material, have helped diaper manufacturers achieve a new level of thinness in disposable hygiene items and has helped make TWE one of the leading suppliers to the global hygiene market.

While hygiene continues to be the largest market, representing more than one-third of sales, TWE is not resting on its laurels. Its latest product, Amphibia, is described as a product at the cutting edge of technology. This multilayer product combines the ADL and the core for an entirely pulp-free product. This concepts allows for a thinner product and more anatomic fit, allowing the wear to stay dry and comfortable and the manufacturer to reduce costs and improve performance.

Also growing in importance to TWE—in part thanks to the U.S. acquisition—is automotives, which now represent more than 25% of sales. TWE participates in nearly all parts of the vehicle from exteriors to interiors to underbodys to the wheel area.

“Automotives is a real growth engine for us,” Berens says. “It’s becoming more important.”

In addition to global expansion, new product development and innovation are key tenets of TWE’s growth strategy. The development of Home-ISO, a new product for the building and construction market is the result of this focus. The multilayer, thermal bonded polyester insulation product can replace traditional insulation products like fiberglass or mineral wool. The environmentally friendly product costs significantly less than other alternative materials used in areas like pitched roofs, attics and suspended ceilings. “It’s really helping us grow our roofing and construction business,” Berens says.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, U.S., China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunch, hydroentengled and airlaid
Major Markets: Hygiene, medical, automotive, filtration, building and construction, cleaning wipes, bedding and furniture, apparel

The big news from TWE Group is its expansion into North America. In June 2015, the German nonwovens producer added three U.S. plants to its operations through the acquisition of Vita Nonwovens’ U.S. business. The deal includes sites in North Carolina, Texas and Indiana. This business was purchased from a group of former employees by a private equity outfit late last year. The employee team had owned the company since 2012 when former owner British Vita exited the nonwovens business. It was then that the TWE Group first began its cooperation with Vita, acquiring the Libeltex business from the British-based company. This deal included sites in Belgium, France and Sweden and expanded TWE’s presence in several markets.

According to executives, the main focus of Vita Nonwovens’ U.S. operations is the automotives market and products made in the three locations are used in a number of different areas of the vehicle. These products are made through a proprietary thermal compacting and bonding process, which has been greatly improved upon during the last three years, according to TWE. This has led to double-digit growth in sales during the same period.

Vita Nonwovens was founded in High Point, NC in 1996 and grew strongly at the beginning of the new millennium, when two additional locations, in Texas and Indiana, were added. The company produces nonwovens for a diverse range of applications at the three locations, and TWE found the company attractive because of the two companies’ shared similar competencies. This could allow new potential for mutual research and the development of new products, thus providing the customers with even better solutions and higher quality worldwide.

Most of Vita’s U.S. operation is focused on nonwovens for automotives.  “The products for the automotive industry are predominantly installed for sound and thermal insulation in a number of different areas in the vehicle,” CEO Ralf Berens says. “Particularly the automotive field at Vita Nonwovens has grown significantly during the past three years; the average turnover of the company increased in a double-digit range. As a result, we are anticipating strong growth stimuli, especially when considering the continued international expansion of our automotives business. Besides our hygiene business, our Mobiltech division is expected to become the driving force of our future growth.”

Also boosting the group’s automotives business is the July acquisition of Isowood, a German nonwovens producer specialized in the use of natural fibers for the automotives industry. TWE purchased a 90% stake in the company in a move to increase its exposure to natural fibers and other strategic markets. Isowood, which was founded in 1997 in Rudolstadt, Germany is a small but well-known and respected tier-two supplier to the automotives markets. It is well known for its outstanding innovation power and exceptional project development competence.

Before these two acquisitions, much of TWE’s business had centered on the hygiene market, which represented about half of sales without Vita and Isowood. TWE gained its leadership position in this market via Libeltex, which provided the formerly German-centric TWE with manufacturing assets in France, Sweden and Belgium as well as an important technology serving acquisition/distribution applications in diapers and other disposable items.

“The Libeltex acquisition was especially important because before this point TWE was only really present in Germany, but after this it had a broader European presence. And recently with the acquisition of Vita Nonwovens, TWE has gone all the way from being a small, typically German group to an international player,” Berens says.

Libeltex’s air-through bonded nonwovens have helped diaper manufacturers achieve a new level of thinness in disposable hygiene items and made TWE one of the leading suppliers to the global hygiene market. Of particular interest is Slimcore, a through-air bonded ADL material, which was developed by Libeltex in 2012 and is now becoming more standard in core materials for diapers. It features a multilayer that can be used in any fluff versus superabsorbent polymer ratio.  To futher boost its business in this segment, TWE is now rolling out a new ADL technology under the brand name Amphibia. Describing the product as at the edge of technology, Berens says it is a combination of ADL and core concept technology that will bring performance and value to the consumer

“Being the innovator of the acquisition and distribution layer technology and we will develop in close cooperation with our customers high performance products adapted to local customer needs,” explains Berens.

Beyond automotive and hygiene, which now together represent about 50% of TWE’s overall sales, the company continues to seek growth in all of its seven business units, including medical, filtration, building and construction, bedding and furniture and wipes.

Meanwhile, in geographical expansion, TWE is examining additional acquisitions to provide it with access to other U.S. markets and Asia. “As a leading global player, TWE is aware of the need to continue expanding its footprint in order to offer a better service to its clients,” Berens says.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunch, hydroentengled
Major markets: Hygiene, medical, automotive, filtration, building and construction, cleaning wipes, bedding and furniture, apparel

Marking the first full year that TWE was integrated with Libeltex, 2013 was described as a great one for the company, according to CEO Wim Warnier. “It was an excellent move that brings use to the top of the industry,” he says. “We have a high comfort level with customers because we are truly international.”

Libeltex, a maker of air-through bonded nonwovens with plants in France, Sweden and Belgium, was formerly owned by Vita Group. TWE purchased the company in September 2012 during a move by Vita to exit the nonwovens markets in Europe and the U.S., where the operations were bought out by management.

The acquisition not only provided TWE with new technologies and capacity, it truly broadened TWE’s global reach and product portfolio. Together, the companies have nine locations, 1,000 employees and about $402 million in sales.

Included in the Libeltex acquisition was an air through bonded-based acquisition/distribution layer technology plus a core platform that has solidified the company’s footing in the hygiene market, which represents about 50% of total sales.

“We are the innovators of the acquisition and distribution layer technology and we have the technology to give customers the tools to make a next generation of thinner diapers,” says Wim, who joined TWE with the Libeltex acquisition. “The technology we have is very value added and not commoditized at all.”

Slimcore, a through-air bonded ADL material, was developed by Libeltex and introduced in 2012 and is now becoming more standard in core materials for baby diapers. It features a multilayer that can be used in any fluff versus superabsorbent polymer ratio.

“The baby diapers are becoming thinner, thinner and thinner but it’s also about comfort because that is linked to performance,” says Wim.

Beyond hygiene TWE’s second largest market is automotives, representing 15% of overall sales. Here, the company’s needlepunched products are used in acoustical products, filtration media and many other areas. Main geographical regions for TWE include Europe, the Middle East, Russia and, to a lesser extent, China.

Less significant but still growing in importance is cleaning wipes, which Wim describes as a very steady, global business. “It can be somewhat commoditized but if you approach it was very specific technology, you can be successful,” he explains.

Prior to the Libeltex acquisition, TWE’s manufacturing assets were located in Germany, where it is headquartered, and Hangzhou, China, where it expanded five years ago and is reporting 7-8% annual growth.

While the Libeltex integration added spots throughout Europe, in France, Belgium and Sweden, Wim says the company will spend the next couple of years in investment mode. In fact, plans are already underway to invest €30 million in new plants in Asia and Europe, but to date, details of this investment strategy have not been released. However, Wim would say that a new location in Asia is likely and western expansion has not been ruled out.

Plants: Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, China
Processes: Air through bonded, chemical bonded, needlepunch, hydro entangled (spunlace)
Major markets: Hygiene, medical, automotive, filtration, building and construction, cleaning wipes, bedding and furniture, apparel

The big news from the TWE Group this year is the company’s acquisition of the Libeltex business formerly owned by the Vita Group. In September 2012, the German company purchased the group, including its plants in France, Belgium and Sweden, to help expand its footprint in the European nonwovens market.

“The integration of Libeltex has been seamless,” says CEO Wim Warnier. “It’s been a good cultural fi t. Both companies were active in mostly the same types of markets but we complemented each other geographically. We actually created the business unit structure, which helped us to integrate management teams.”

These seven teams, including hygiene, medical, automotives, filtration, building and construction, cleaning wipes and comfort (bedding, furniture and apparel), decide on market product focuses independently of where they are produced.

The Libeltex acquisition also expanded TWE’s scope. Before Libeltex, TWE, with four sites in Germany and one in China, was heavily focused on Germany and Asia, whereas Libeltex expanded the focus into France, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

“We saw the Libeltex purchase as a way to become a truly international player in the nonwovens industry,” Warnier says.

Meanwhile, the group’s operation in Hangzhou, China continues to perform well, largely reporting 7-8% market growth. Currently active in hygiene, medical and automotive markets in China, the company has been investing in new machines and technologies since establishing the operation in 2007 and the company plans to decide on investment elsewhere in Asia.

About half of the group’s sales are now conducted within the hygiene market where the company is a leading manufacturer of acquisition and distribution layer materials for baby diapers, feminine hygiene items and adult incontinence products.

“The advantage we have is that we have some innovations that lead clear trends in the market,” Warnier says. “The market is looking for thinner diapers and better performing feminine care and adult incontinence products as well as softer top and backsheets.”

The company’s Slimcore product, developed by Libeltex and introduced in 2012, is becoming more standard in core materials that go into baby diaper. The through-air bonded ADL material features a multi layer that can be used in any fluff versus superabsorbent polymer ratio.

Also strong on TWE’s radar is automotives, which represents about 15% of turnover. Here, the group sees a lot of potential as nonwovens continue to replace materials in more parts of the car. TWE is able to offer OEMs many products on a global scale.