#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2022-11-03

Ahlstrom to redesign and renew Business Platform to support new strategy and operating model

Ahlstrom will start a strategic transformation program “Stella” to redesign and renew its business platform. This will greatly benefit Ahlstrom’s way of doing business by utilizing data and the opportunities for further digitalization.

The new business platform is a key enabler in our growth strategy implementation. When renewing our business processes and modernizing the business technology we generate efficiency and agility, transparency and improved stakeholder value.

For the past 1.5 years, Stella work has been conducted via projects that have been changing our ways of working towards the right direction already. As of the beginning of 2023, Ahlstrom will start its journey to redesign and renew its core Business Platform. More specifically, this means that Ahlstrom will harmonize its business processes and master data, as well as renew its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) systems across plants.

“Our strategic ambition for 2025 is to become the preferred sustainable specialty materials company. All we do will serve our growth and purpose to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. With this strategic transformation program, “Stella”, we support this journey. When renewing our Business Platform, we enable the opportunity to build our processes, data and systems to fully support the new Ahlstrom operating model. Herewith we will be able to accelerate the efficient use of data and improve the overall efficiency of our business operations” - says President and CEO Hans Sohlström.

In June 2022, Ahlstrom announced its intention to accelerate the pace of its strategy execution and set a goal to become the preferred sustainable specialty materials provider through a clearly defined purpose, sharper strategic focus, and ambitious sustainability targets. A new operating model and reporting structure took effect as of July 2022, and on October 3rd, 2022, the company started to operate under the business name “Ahlstrom” due to the completion of ownership reorganization of its Decor Business. All these actions are key enablers in our profitable growth and transformation journey.

To know more about our transformation journey, please visit:

https://www.ahlstrom.com/Media/releases/

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

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.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.