#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2021-05-06

Suominen expands offering of sustainable nonwovens

Global environmental concerns – such as diminishing resources, climate change and marine plastic pollution – are creating new market expectations and demand for sustainable products, including nonwovens. To meet this market demand, Suominen is continuously developing innovative products that combine sustainability, quality and performance.

Awareness of environmental concerns among consumers has been rising for some time already. Today, many consumers consider sustainability important to them and it has changed consumption behavior. The change has become in favor of brands that value and practice sustainability.

Global challenges and changing consumer behavior also drive us at Suominen to constantly develop new and innovative sustainable solutions that have a smaller environmental impact. The current Sustainable Product Portfolio consists of products made of renewable, recycled, and/or plastic-free raw materials as well as compostable and totally dispersible nonwovens. This portfolio offers products of uncompromised quality for every category and end-use.

Suominen are taking into consideration the entire supply chain when aiming to decrease the environmental impacts of their products. This is done by using raw materials with lower environmental impacts and by optimizing the own processes and transportation distances.

“As part of this work, we calculate the carbon footprint of our nonwovens – including not only the emissions from own production processes but also the impacts caused by the production of the raw materials and their logistics,” says Noora Rantanen, Sustainability and Marketing Manager.

Unique capabilities and technology enable expansion of the sustainable offering

Suominen's target is to increase sales of sustainable products by 50% by 2025, compared to the base year 2019, and to launch at least ten sustainable products per year. They have two strong capabilities that – together with their advanced production technologies – support them in reaching the target.

Firstly, Suominen is a pioneer in sustainable nonwovens. They introduced the sustainable BIOLACE® product family back in 2007 and invented the groundbreaking wetlaid spunlace category for flushable dispersible nonwovens called HYDRASPUN® with first product versions dating back to 1997.

“Our customer insight together with our market & technology leadership provides the basis for creating sustainable products and product families,” says Lynda Kelly, SVP, Americas & Business Development.

Secondly, they have a strong and very professional research and development organization with excellent know-how in sustainable fibers and they are constantly researching new potential fibers in their New Fiber Center. The research and development work focuses specifically on sustainability and customization of the products. In addition, the pilot lines situated at their Nakkila and Windsor Locks production plants support their R&D efforts as well as accelerate speed to market.

These two capabilities are supported by the production technologies of the production units – all eight of the plants are capable of using sustainable raw materials.

“Our fiber based technology platform, strong research and development team and our continuous work in new and innovative fibers means we are able to offer tailor-made solutions for customers’ different sustainability needs,” says Lynda Kelly, SVP, Americas & Business Development.

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

Suominen reports decline in sales and earnings – Cost savings program and leadership change to drive recovery

Finnish nonwovens manufacturer Suominen Corporation has reported a noticeable drop in both revenue and profitability for the first half of 2025, reflecting a challenging global trade environment, particularly the impact of recent U.S. tariffs, as well as persistently high energy and raw material costs.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

ISKO’s denim language at Bluezone

ISKO returns to Bluezone to showcase its latest advancements in denim innovation, presenting a comprehensive overview of its SS27 collection alongside key creative and technological collaborations. At booth C02, ISKO offers visitors an immersive look into how performance, design, and circular thinking are shaping the future of denim.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Exchange data between textile companies openly, securely and cost-effectively without a central platform – ITA makes it possible

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has launched a new demonstrator for an open and secure data space in the textile industry at the Digital Innovation Centre Europe (DICE). For the first time, the demonstrator shows directly and clearly how companies can share their data securely with each other without the need for a central platform. Data exchange is based on shared, freely usable technical foundations.

Kelheim Fibres GmbH informs about the closure of operations

The management of Kelheim Fibres GmbH informs that business operations will be terminated as of 31 March 2026. A continuation of the company beyond this date is not possible. The investor and sales process conducted within the framework of the self-administration did not lead to a positive outcome. The potential strategic investor who most recently entered the process has withdrawn from a potential investment at short notice.