Austria-based Lenzing AG has sold its plastics filaments business to a consortium of private
investors headed by Global Equity Partners (GEP), Austria, for an undisclosed price. The business,
which produces primarily plastic bristles and monofilaments for industrial and consumer products,
includes Pedex GmbH and Hahl Filaments GmbH, both based in Germany; Hahl Filaments s.r.o, Czech
Republic; and Hahl Inc., Lexington, S.C.
“We want to focus our resources more on our core business cellulose fibers in the future,”
said Peter Untersperger, CEO, Lenzing, explaining that the plastics business no longer fits into
the company’s strategy and would have better development potential under a different owner.
“The business is well positioned, their market position is very good and they ideally fit our
investment focus on expanding medium-sized industrial companies,” said Michael Tojner, CEO, GEP.
Lenzing also reported that its 2010 financial results set an all-time high, with preliminary
consolidated sales of 1.77 billion euros — up 45 percent over 2009 sales — and preliminary
consolidated income from operations of 231.9 million euros — 103 percent higher than the 2009 total
of $114.2 million euros. The company has invested considerable monies to expand its fiber
manufacturing capacity worldwide and anticipates positive results in the coming year and beyond
because of its strong position in the cellulosic fiber sector
(See ”
Lenzing
Announces Further Tencel®, Viscose Expansions,” www.
TextileWorld.com, December 14, 2010).
February 22, 2011
