Nonwovens producer Sandler AG has once again increased its annual result, registering a record turnover of € 286 million for the year of its 135th anniversary.The company manufactured approximately 101,750 tonnes of nonwovens, achieving very good results in all market segments: from nonwovens for hygiene products, to technical applications, through to nonwovens for home textiles and office acoustics.

Nonwovens industry

The nonwovens industry is becoming increasingly fast-paced and for Sandler, the past year was also characterized by international competition in a highly competitive market. In this sector, Sandler is one of only few companies that are still family-operated.

In 2014, Sandler put particular emphasis on innovation for sound insulation in offices and industrial buildings. Sound-absorbing nonwovens in partition walls or suspended ceilings help minimise machine noise in production facilities or the noise level in open-plan offices, creating a quiet working atmosphere.

Sandler develops such products in cooperation with renowned manufacturers of office furnishings and acoustics experts, further expanding these fields of application.

Construction industry

In the construction industry, energy-efficient insulation of building is a major aspect. For these applications, Sandler banks on the textile building. In walls and the roof, 100% polyester insulation nonwovens of the fibercomfort product line are used.

Permeable, resistant to moisture and UV-light, they provide optimum insulation in the long term. Even after years of use they can easily be recycled and put to new use as raw materials. In January 2015, Sandler received the German building inspectorate approval for major product groups for these applications.

Interior wall insulation

Sandler nonwovens for interior wall insulation insulate heat and dampen sound. Cold walls are being decoupled from the room and the noise level is reduced, creating a comfortable quiet home.

In roof construction Sandler supplies nonwovens for insulation between the rafters. In 2014, Sandler introduced an innovative product for this field of application: sandler fibercomfort – tread- and waterproof roof insulation. Applied directly on top of the rafters, the nonwovens prevent construction-related thermal bridges, thus reducing heat loss through the roof.

This textile innovation was awarded the prestigious INDEX Award on occasion of the 2014 INDEX exhibition.

Technical products

With regard to technical products, efficient synthetic filter media that contribute to indoor air quality were in high demand, as were acoustically efficient nonwovens for the automotive industry that provide for a quiet and comfortable ride.

In these markets, product characteristics are increasingly being tailored to specific application requirements in joint developmental work with customers and partners and new areas of application are constantly opened-up, the company reports.

Future plans

“It is difficult to say what 2015 will hold for Sandler”, commented CEO Dr Christian Heinrich Sandler. “Just as research institutes find it increasingly harder to make reliable medium- and long-term forecasts, this is not an easy task for companies either.”

“On one hand, the economic trends are generally positive, yet on the other hand, rising energy costs, fluctuations in raw material prices as well as the current crises in Europe and other parts of the world could affect our economy and the development of individual companies adversely.”

Despite the uncertain market situation, the company is planning to develop new technologies at its Schwarzenbach location and expanding its international business activities. “Already in 2014, we began preparations for the construction of a new office building in Schwarzenbach,” said Dr Sandler. “We will be investing approximately EUR 5 million.”

www.sandler.de