Chisso and Fiberweb launch feasibility study for non-wovens joint venture in China
15 December 2009
Fiberweb plc
(“the Company”)
Chisso and Fiberweb launch feasibility study for non-wovens joint venture in China
The Fibers and Fabrics Division of Chisso Corporation of Japan and the Consumer Fabrics Division of Fiberweb plc today announced a collaboration program to evaluate the establishment of a new jointly-owned spunbond non-wovens manufacturing operation in China. The proposed venture would focus on hygiene and personal care products and would use the latest generation of Spunbond/Spunmelt manufacturing technology, benefiting from the extensive experience of both partners in specialty spunmelt technology.
Both Chisso Corporation and Fiberweb plc consider the personal hygiene market in China and in other Asian markets to be of strategic importance in the future development of their non-woven production businesses. The feasibility study announced today will focus on evaluating the technologies and volumes that will be required to support these markets over the coming three to five years.
Commenting on the proposed collaboration with Chisso, Fiberweb CEO Daniel Dayan commented:
This agreement between Chisso and Fiberweb to explore investment opportunities in Asia jointly marks another exciting step in Fiberweb’s drive to establish a global platform for its leading spunbond business. Both Chisso and Fiberweb bring important commercial and technical insights to this assessment of the market, and we look forward to a close and fruitful cooperation.
Also Chisso COO & President Shunichi Okada commented:
So far, our spunbond business has been targeted mainly in Japanese market based on Chisso’s bicomponent fiber technology. We have been highly reputed by both within and outside of Japan. It is quite exciting to conduct feasibility study of new spunbond joint venture in China with Fiberweb that has leading roll in global market of spunbond business. I strongly believe that this study allows us to explore the launch of a new joint venture company to highly satisfy customers by utilizing both parties’ experience and technical expertise.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
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Fiberweb plc
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0208 439 8594
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Daniel Dayan, Chief Executive
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Daniel Abrams, Chief Financial Officer
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Weber Shandwick Financial
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0207 067 0700
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Terry Garrett / Nick Dibden / Katie Matthews
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Notes to Editors
Fiberweb plc (Fiberweb) is a leading international manufacturer of speciality nonwoven materials, with a total of sixteen plants operating in eight countries across Europe, North America and Asia. The Group comprises businesses supplying tailored solutions to Industrial and Hygiene nonwovens markets. The Industrial businesses focus on growing niche markets in filtration, speciality construction and agriculture, with technologically differentiated products and strong brands.
The Hygiene businesses focus on supplying leading producers of diapers, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products with value-added and reliable nonwoven components. The Hygiene division is made up of Consumer Fabrics which supplies a full range of hygiene products from its spunbond and carded production technologies and Airlaid, which provides products principally for feminine care applications.
Chisso Corporation, founded in 1906, is a pioneer in the chemical industry. Through use of leading-edge technology, Chisso aims to contribute to society’s progress through advancement of technology and products which contribute both to everyday human life & industry as well as breakthrough technologies which will change tomorrow. Chisso aims to do all this through use of sustainable technology and responsible environmental stewardship.
(http://www.chisso.co.jp/english/)
Chisso’s products, such as synthetic fibers, fabrics, and plastic products were developed through advances in polymer research and development, and are being used in a wide range of fields.
Chisso’s nonwoven materials, using functional and thermo-bondable bicomponent fibers, do not contain any adhesives. Products made with this technology do not irritate the skin and therefore these “nonwovens” lend themselves well to use in hygienic products which have high standards for safety and comfort, such as baby diapers and sanitary napkins. Chisso finds the majority of it’s customers in this market segment.
The Fibers and Fabrics division has once again demonstrated Chisso’s pioneering spirit by introducing a new range of non-woven products to the global market; bicomponent fibers (ES fibers), air-through carded nonwovens, spunbonded nonwovens and multifilament melt-blown non-wovens.