#INDEX 23

2023-03-02

Thinking sustainability further: Sandler to focus on holistic material concepts at INDEX™

At this year‘s Index™, Sandler will showcase high-performance quality nonwovens, that pave the way for environmentally friendly product solutions – optimized from raw material selection to recycling.

Nonwovens manufacturer Sandler will present innovations and initiatives to implement performance and sustainability throughout the product life cycle and beyond.

For the hygiene industry, nonwovens for fluid transport (ADL) as well as backsheets set standards, made from 100% raw materials from renewable sources. In wipes applications, nonwovens made up to 100% from natural fibers offer new alternatives for single-use products in cleaning and personal care. In this segment, Sandler also utilizes its expertise of different production technologies: Latest developments for wipes show the way towards climate neutrality through the use of more energy efficient manufacturing processes. With the established Sandler standard of quality, these substrates combine a soft touch and optimized cleaning owing to an enlarged surface. Owing to the special production process an increased choice of alternative raw materials can be used – including 100% based on renewable sources. In addition, the use of this specific process allows for an up to 70% reduction of CO2 compared to established production processes for wipes substrates.

Together with customers and partners along the supply chain Sandler continues to expand its initiatives for sustainable product solutions, Sandler is also testing ways of recycling and reusing trims or faulty material in the production of its technical nonwovens. Thus keeping resources in a closed cycle, Sandler is implementing the concept of circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint of its products.

Sandler also offers a sustainable solution for the automotive industry: Fast Forward Fabric – the symbiosis of maximum performance and resource conservation.

These textile materials are the base material for a variety of self-supporting moulded parts in interior and exterior applications. Made from 100% polyester with up to 80% post-consumer recycled fibers these nonwovens reduce the use of virgin resources while being fully recyclable themselves at the end of their service life.

In this way, Fast Forward Fabric creates closed material cycles and fulfills the most demanding sustainability requirements. The nonwovens support the implementation of specific design concepts in in all types of vehicles. Processing results in highly stable moulded parts, realizing even complex component geometries. At the same time, the materials feature a significantly lower weight compared to standard materials, high temperature stability and resistance to all common engine compartment fluids Their open-pore structure combines noise dampening and thermal management. Specific material configurations enable optimized vehicle acoustics – inside the passenger compartment as well as towards the surroundings. Through targeted processing, specific surface structures can be generated, making the nonwovens a design component in the vehicle as well.

Visit Sandler at INDEX™ 2023 and and share our ideas for our common future. Out team from Sales and Product Development is looking forward to welcoming you at booth 1530.

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

Sandler turns financial stability into a catalyst for shaping the future

The Sandler Group has presented its financial figures for the past fiscal year (01/01/2025-12/31/2025). Like previous years, the year 2025 was also marked by industry-wide structural challenges and geopolitical uncertainties. Turnover was virtually stable at EUR 321 million (2024: EUR 326 million). High energy costs continue to weigh heavily on profitability. The number of employees was 975 (2024: 980). The family-owned company, which was founded in 1879 and has been run by the fifth generation since August 2025, continues to invest millions in its Schwarzenbach site despite the high production costs in Germany. As part of the long-term corporate strategy, the management team is focusing on strict cost management, further development of the product portfolio, and greater efficiency in production and administrative processes. The company does not expect a market recovery in 2026 and 2027.

Sandler AG & Phoenix Non Woven—new partnership, new opportunities

Sandler AG invests in wet-laid technology to strengthen its innovation pipeline and broaden market reach. Schwarzenbach an der Saale, Germany, July 24, 2025. Sandler AG, a global leader in nonwoven textiles, has acquired a 24.9% stake in Phoenix Non Woven GmbH & Co. KG, a pioneering company based in Lenningen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Phoenix emerged as an innovative spin-off from the former Scheufelen paper factory and specializes in the production of high-performance nonwovens using wet-laid technology.

Philipp Ebbinghaus appointed as the new CEO at Sandler AG

At its meeting yesterday, the Supervisory Board of Sandler AG made significant decisions regarding the company’s future leadership. Effective August 1, 2025, Philipp Ebbinghaus (40), currently CFO, will assume the role of CEO of Sandler AG. As the nephew of the current CEO, Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler, he represents the fifth generation of the founding family to lead the company.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

DePoly Inaugurates its Showcase Plant in Monthey Switzerland

What if used plastic bottles, PET packaging material and polyester textiles could become raw materials just as high performing as virgin resources? That is the ambition of DePoly, a circular materials company based in Sion, Switzerland which inaugurated its Showcase Plant in Monthey on July 6th & 7th. The first depolymerization facility of its kind and scale in Switzerland, this industrial Showcase Plant represents a major milestone in the company's growth and its journey toward commercialization.

Commission clarifies rules on plastic bottles recycling

The European Commission today adopted new rules on recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily of polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled content. This is part of the Commission’s December 2025 plastics package.