London-based Fiberweb — a manufacturer of high-performance, specialty nonwovens — has announced it
is on track to begin production at a new spunbond plant in Trezzano Rosa, Italy, during the first
half of 2009. In conjunction with the new plant’s opening, the company will reduce its 12 spunbond
lines in Europe by approximately one-third to eliminate less competitive lines, while maintaining
roughly the same spunbond capacity through increased productivity.
Line 1 at the Norrköping, Sweden, facility will shut down by the end of May. In addition,
spunbond production volumes will be halved at facilities in Biesheim, France, and Peine, Germany,
by the end of the first half of 2009.
In other Fiberweb news, the company will close an unprofitable airlaid plant in Peregallo di
Lesmo, Italy. Higher-than-anticipated operating costs and technical problems prompted the closure.
The airlaid business Fiberweb operates in China is unaffected by this closure.
As a result of these moves, approximately 150 Fiberweb employees will lose their jobs. In
2009, the company expects to incur cash restructuring costs of 12 million pounds. Non-cash
restructuring charges associated with the closures, estimated to be 24 million pounds were
taken during the second half of 2008. From 2010 on, Fiberweb expects to realize savings of at least
7.5 million pounds.
February 3, 2009
