#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2021-12-16

Great progress in sustainability for Suominen

Suominen has made great progress towards its ambitious sustainability targets. Sustainability means that Suominen does things efficiently and responsibly in terms of the environment, people, and the economy. All three dimensions are critical throughout the value chain, from raw material supply to end product. Here is a recap of the progress this year - so far.

Fossil-free electricity in Europe

As part of active work to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Suominen is shifting entirely to fossil-free electricity in all its European plants. “This shift is one of the measures we are taking to reduce our GHG emissions in the future,” says Juan Carlos Esteve, Director, HSEQ.

Better cleanability, flushability and softness with a lower carbon footprint

During 2021 Suominen has already launched 13 sustainable products with a complex variety of features. Let us go through some of the products launched in 2021 so far:

Suominen’s HYDRASPUN® family was enhanced by two products. Suominen’s HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo was designed to raise the standard of moist toilet tissue and it certainly did so bypassing the strictest flushability standard in the industry, that published by the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG.) In addition, Aquaflo also passed the GD4 flushability standard of INDA/EDANA in independent testing.

Suominen’s second flushable product launched this year was HYDRASPUN® Regal, which received the WRc Fine to Flush Manufacturer Generic Certification for nonwovens producers. With these launches, Suominen can justify its claim as a leading manufacturer of dispersible nonwovens.

Suominen’s BIOLACE® family was completed with a variety of sustainable products. Two of them were BIOLACE® Ultrasoft and BIOLACE® Cashmere. Both, exceptional softness and absorption capacity are much higher when compared to typical sustainable or renewable nonwovens, which makes them an excellent choice for personal care and consumers looking for products for caring for sensitive skin or if they are just looking for premium softness and touch.

BIOLACE® Silva succeeds in delivering natural power with exceptional cleaning performance and a cloth-like feeling. It’s designed to meet environmentally conscious consumers’ and professionals' choices, who value time and premium feel.

Read more about our other BIOLACE® products launched in 2021:

BIOLACE® Bamboo

BIOLACE® Cotton

Innovations to be a frontrunner in sustainability

Suominen has collaborated in many innovation projects with different stakeholders. One of them was collaborative R&D efforts by Suominen and Infinited Fiber Company, whose shared values include sustainability and circularity. During the collaboration was developed a nonwoven sheet made from 100% textile waste. Read more

In addition to progress in all our sustainability agenda themes, Suominen was awarded, yet again, the prestigious RRITE supplier award presented by Rockline Industries at their 21st annual virtual SoRa event. Rockline nominations for this annual award are given to the supplier who exemplifies their values of renew, respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.

Local activity

Suominen wants to be a good, caring employer and socially responsible corporate citizen and thus promotes the wellbeing of both our employees and the communities near our operations. Doing good locally is one of the ways we support our neighboring communities. Being able to help their own communities also makes our people feel happy and proud, and it supports their overall well-being.

ISO 45001 certified plants

The ISO 45001 standard provides a framework for increasing safety, reducing workplace risks, and enhancing health and wellbeing at work. In 2021 Suominen has passed ISO 45001 certifications on all its plants.

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.

Happy Holidays!

Dear reader, the year 2025 is drawing to a close. We are entering what we hope will be a peaceful holiday season, spending time with our families and taking a moment to pause and reflect. We hope we have been able to support you once again this year with relevant news and articles, and we look forward to surprising you with many innovations in the coming year. Enjoy the festive season, stay healthy, and we wish you a happy and joyful holiday season.

Texpertise Focus AI: Messe Frankfurt puts Artificial Intelligence centre stage at its international textile and apparel trade fairs

Under the banner 'Texpertise Focus AI, Messe Frankfurt will place a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its international textile and apparel trade fairs from 2026 onwards, setting a future-shaping signal for the industry. The initiative highlights the responsible use of AI along the entire textile value chain, from fibre production to the point of sale. The programme will launch at Heimtextil in Frankfurt in January 2026.

Autoneum and Polestar set new benchmarks for passenger experience and sustainability

As the global market leader in sustainable acoustic and thermal management, Autoneum is a key supplier of interior and exterior components for the highly anticipated Polestar 5 model. The successful collaboration between Autoneum and Polestar marks a significant milestone in sustainable automotive engineering: the electric grand tourer sports car features several innovations in lightweight, fully recyclable polyester-based components that ensure a superior driving experience. Polestar 5 was revealed at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich and is available in 24 markets.