#Yarn & Fiber

2020-07-29

RadiciGroup closes the year 2019 with positive results: Sales EUR 1,092 million and EBITDA EUR 165 million

First quarter 2020 results hold up, but the rest of the year will feel the consequences of pandemic-induced uncertainty and difficulties. Nevertheless, the Group remains cautiously optimistic about long-term prospects, while boosting innovation, sustainability and care for the environment and communities.

RadiciGroup – an Italian multinational with 3,100 employees in 16 countries, engaged in the chemicals, engineering polymers, fibres and nonwovens businesses – closed financial year 2019 with consolidated sales revenue of EUR 1,092 million and EBITDA of EUR 165 million. The results obtained were in line with the budgeted figures and were attained through the strategy of focusing on those Group businesses that were strategic, synergistic and of interest in the medium term. The goal of the Group’s approach was to improve its competitive position and achieve an overall balance among the geographical areas where it operates in order to reduce dependency on single markets and increase cash flow to finance new initiatives in its strategic businesses.

Crucial to maintaining the Group’s competitiveness and development in 2019 was the decision to continue allocating sizeable investments – totalling over EUR 45 million – to the constant technological upgrading of plant and equipment, as well as to business sustainability. In particular, EUR 7.6 million was earmarked for implementing Best Available Techniques,enhancing energy efficiency, emission abatement and R&D activities aimed at adding to low environmental impact processes and products. The investments made in 2019 to further RadiciGroup growth brought the total amount allocated during the 2015-2019 five-year period to EUR 216 million.

On the acquisitions front, in the first few days of 2020, the purchase of Radici Plastics France SA shares was completed, thus giving RadiciGroup a majority interest in the French company engaged in the sale of engineering polymers. The Group also acquired Zeta Polimeri Srl, an Italian company specializing in the recovery of synthetic fibres and thermoplastics.

“We are pleased with how the Group closed the year 2019,” said Angelo Radici, president of RadiciGroup. “The figures confirm out market competitiveness. Our attention will now be focused on the evolution of the global scenario and the inevitable impact of the COVID-19 health crisis, which has plagued the whole world since the beginning the year. Despite the fact that our figures held up during the first quarter of 2020, for the second and following quarters we expect a general downturn, although, as of today, it is impossible to forecast with any certainty what the actual effects of the pandemic on the world economy will be. However, we are confident and believe that our Group has put into place all the strategies needed to handle the emergency situation, thanks to our solid equity and financial position, geographical diversification and efficient production organization, in addition to our great research and development efforts.”

During the present scenario of global uncertainty, RadiciGroup is thus seeking to stay competitive by leveraging its research and innovation work to expand its product portfolio, including products obtained from low environmental impact materials, and to create new market opportunities capable of further promoting the sustainability of Group companies.

Alessandro Manzoni, CFO of RadiciGroup, remarked: “In 2019, we allotted over EUR 45 million to investments aimed at maintaining high levels of technological excellence and innovation to raise our companies’ competitiveness, safeguard the environment and promote the development of local communities. These strategic choices were confirmed by the positive results recorded in 2019, which show an improvement infinancial position and related balance sheet ratios over the prior year. The same choices will also guide our future actions. Right in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, the Group took action to set up a made-in-Italy production chain for the manufacture of gowns and personal protection equipment approved for medical use, thus making a valuable contribution to the fight against the coronavirus. Today, the Group is continuing this initiativeas it has become a significant business activity, in which further investments will be made during the second half of the year.”

In keeping with the goal of starting a new by concentrating on innovation and sustainability,which are fundamental values in the RadiciGroup vision, the Group has recently founded Radici InNova, a non-profit consortium, which will handle and coordinate all the Group’s strategically important R&D activities, with the objective of developing innovative projects and generating value for the local communities.

RadiciGroup: 21st Sustainability Report published

RadiciGroup has published its 21st Sustainability Report, covering the year 2024, confirming more than two decades of transparency and measurement in the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. From its first Social Report in 2004 to the current reporting aligned with the GRI Universal Standards, the Group is now preparing for its next challenge: the adoption of the criteria that will be set out by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Twenty years of Sustainability Report for RadiciGroup

The RadiciGroup Sustainability Report reaches an important milestone this year: twenty years have in fact passed since the Group published its first Social Report in 2004, qualifying it as one of the pioneering companies in the realisation of voluntary non-financial reporting. The document measures the Group’s achievements and the actions it has taken to reduce its environmental impact, respect social values, and implement good business management practices.

Geogreen inaugurates a new photovoltaic plant: over 5,000 solar panels to produce 5.5 million kWh/year of clean energy

Geogreen and RadiciGroup are speeding up their photovoltaic development with the inauguration of a new solar plant in the Municipality of Isola Dovarese in the Province of Cremona. Participating at the official ribbon cutting were the Geogreen shareholders including President Angelo Radici, the mayor of the Municipality of Isola Dovarese and other local officials.

Rieter adjusts group structure in preparation for Barmag integration

The planned acquisition of the “Barmag” Division of OC Oerlikon will create the leading system provider worldwide for natural and man-made fibers. Rieter is confident it will receive all regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Rieter Group is therefore adjusting its Group structure as of January 1, 2026, to take this acquisition into account and to be able to provide an even more agile response to market challenges.

From premiums to parity: How Fashion for Good is rewriting the economics of new materials

Fashion for Good launches Price Parity Toolkit: developed with support from Laudes Foundation, Canopy and Finance Earth, the framework introduces an innovative financing approach (premium decoupling) to remove price premiums from the supply chain and unlock faster adoption of lower-impact materials across the industry.

Techtextil India 2025 commences: Ushering in a new era for functional textiles

Techtextil India 2025, a premier trade fair for technical textiles, non-wovens and composites, organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, has opened today at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, marking its 10th edition. Running from 19 – 21 November 2025, this landmark edition connects 215 exhibitors, including 100 first-time exhibitors to the textile value chain, featuring innovations across 12 application-based textile segments.

Solution for lower energy consumption proves itself in practice

Getzner Textil is one of KARL MAYER’s first customers to use PROSIZE with CASCADE. The innovative weaving specialist has tested the steam and condensation system by KARL MAYER and determined the energy savings it achieves. Karl-Heinz Vaaßen, Head of Textile Drying at KARL MAYER, assisted Getzner Textil’s production specialists both with the tests and with all questions relating to CASCADE. In a conversation with Werner Egger, Head of Weaving, and Thomas Rossi, Head of Warp Preparation at Getzner Textil, he learnt more about the system’s benefits for his customer.