#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2023-08-17

One of Bavaria's most distinguished entrepreneurs, Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler turns 70.

Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler © 2023 Sandler

On August 18, 2023, Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler celebrates his 70th birthday. Sandler AG’s Chairman of the Board is one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Bavaria, even outside his home region. He is the fourth generation to head the Sandler family business.

Nonwovens specialist Sandler AG, headquartered in Schwarzenbach (Saale), Bavaria, with production sites in Schwarzenbach and in Perry, Georgia, is today one of the 20 largest nonwovens producers in the world. Sandler AG manufactures nonwovens for a broad range of applications ranging from tender webs for personal hygiene items to self-supporting acoustical panels.

For 25 years, Dr. Sandler has been fighting for the interests of the industry as president of the Bavarian Textile and Clothing Industry Association (VTB). Also, for a quarter of a century, Dr. Sandler has served as vice president of the Bavarian Business Association (vbw). Dr. Sandler is a recipient of the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class, as well as the Bavarian Order of Merit.

The exorbitant rise in energy costs in particular is a current concern not only for the textile and apparel industry. As president of the industry association, Dr. Sandler is fighting vigorously to maintain the competitiveness of German enterprises. This commitment, in turn, puts another issue on hold for a while: The thought of retirement, sufficiently justified for a 70-year-old, is currently being overshadowed by the challenging times that face the industry as a whole. Yet the course for the future of Sandler AG has already been set. Dr. Sandler's nephew Philipp Ebbinghaus, 38, joined the Management Board on January 1 of this year, where he will steer the company's fortunes together with Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, 53.

Sandler AG & Phoenix Non Woven—new partnership, new opportunities

Sandler AG invests in wet-laid technology to strengthen its innovation pipeline and broaden market reach. Schwarzenbach an der Saale, Germany, July 24, 2025. Sandler AG, a global leader in nonwoven textiles, has acquired a 24.9% stake in Phoenix Non Woven GmbH & Co. KG, a pioneering company based in Lenningen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Phoenix emerged as an innovative spin-off from the former Scheufelen paper factory and specializes in the production of high-performance nonwovens using wet-laid technology.

Philipp Ebbinghaus appointed as the new CEO at Sandler AG

At its meeting yesterday, the Supervisory Board of Sandler AG made significant decisions regarding the company’s future leadership. Effective August 1, 2025, Philipp Ebbinghaus (40), currently CFO, will assume the role of CEO of Sandler AG. As the nephew of the current CEO, Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler, he represents the fifth generation of the founding family to lead the company.

Sandler Gruppe launches finexus® brand: Sustainable nonwovens for molded parts in vehicles

finexus® - the solution for sound insulation, thermal insulation, and sustainability in vehicles. These nonwovens prove themselves in a variety of molded part applications in the mobility sector. In interior or exterior applications of passenger and commercial vehicles, the single-polymer material finexus® offers what was previously implemented using multilayer structures. From underbody to headliner and from wheel arch liner to trunk liner; with conventional drives or in electromobility.

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.

Mimaki demonstrates versatile, simple TRAPIS textile printing at Heimtextil 2026

Mimaki’s textile pigment transfer printing system, TRAPIS, is able to print on a diverse range of fabrics - unlike traditional processes - including natural fibres and synthetic fabrics. The full solution will be shown on Mimaki’s booth (Hall 3.0 Stand A97), as the company returns to Heimtextil to showcase its advancements in sustainable, high quality and efficient textile printing.

The Technology Hub for global denim trends: ITM 2026

The ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, to be held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from June 9–13, 2026, brings together groundbreaking technologies in denim production. From smart production systems to eco-friendly raw materials, from digital washing solutions to laser effect technologies, innovations that will shape the future of denim will be showcased for the first time at ITM 2026.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.