#Textile chemistry

2013-03-11

Complete take-over of the EFTEC automotive supply business in the growth markets of Central and Eastern Europe

The EMS Group, globally active in the business areas High Performance Polymers and Specialty Chemicals and with its companies combined in EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG, will take complete control of the EFTEC automotive supply business in Central and Eastern Europe.

EFTEC, worldwide supplier to the automotive industry and member of the EMS Group, develops, produces and markets materials and application technology in the specialised fields of bonding, coating, sealing and damping. With these applications EFTEC holds leading market positions throughout the world.

So far, the markets of Central and Eastern Europe have been serviced through a regional joint venture. The EMS Group will now take over the other 50% share in this joint venture from Czech partner D PLAST to hold sole control of the EFTEC business in Central and Eastern Europe. With this take-over, EMS intends to further increase business in the growth markets of Central and Eastern Europe and to strengthen its leading market position as global automotive supplier.

The joint venture D PLAST-EFTEC, founded in 2000 with headquarters in Zlin (Czech Republic), operates four production locations in Hradek (Czech Republic), Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia), Elabuga (Russia) and Budeasa (Romania) as well as three sales offices in the Ukraine, Slovakia and Slovenia. In 2012 D PLAST-EFTEC generated net sales of 82 million CHF with a workforce of 211 employees.

The purchasing price amounts to CHF 60 million and can be smoothly financed from own resources. Closing will take place as soon as the anti-trust authorities have given approval.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.