#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.

Yarns and technologies in symbiosis: Biella Yarn presents Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection “New Romance_”

Biella Yarn, the flat knitting brand of Suedwolle Group, launches new Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection, inspired by the symbiosis of yarns and technologies – elements that blend, adapt and evolve together, forming something new without losing their origin. The name “Neu Romance_” reflects the emotional and neurological dimension of the yarns: a connection that engages the senses, experienced through material, touch and interaction. The collection is further brought to life through design collaborations, featuring selected yarns used in different design approaches.

The textile industry in transition

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GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

Object Carpet tests production of rPET BCF yarn on Neumag BCF line

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MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.