#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2024-01-25

Autoneum records significant increase in revenue and results in the 2023 financial year

Autoneum significantly boosted consolidated revenue in Swiss francs by 27.6% in the 2023 financial year, bolstered by the acquisition of the Borgers automotive business and a favorable market environment. In absolute terms, consolidated revenue in Swiss francs rose year on year by CHF 497.8 million to CHF 2 302.3 million. Excluding the translation effects due to a strong Swiss franc, revenue in local currencies climbed by 34.8% to CHF 2 431.7 million and thus was in line with the guidance.

Based on provisional figures and thanks to the turnaround achieved in North America, Autoneum expects an EBIT margin excluding special effects for the 2023 financial year at the upper end of the guidance of 3.5% to 4.5% and a free cash flow of well over CHF 100 million excluding acquisition-related net cash outflows, which exceeds the guidance.

The automobile industry picked up again in the 2023 financial year. According to market forecasts3, there was a significant rise in production volumes worldwide, with 90.1 million vehicles produced globally (2022: 82.4 million vehicles) and growth of 9.4%, driven by the Europe, North America and Asia regions. In this market environment, Autoneum achieved acquisition-related growth in local currencies of 27.6%. Organic growth was 7.2%, resulting in total revenue growth of 34.8% in local currencies. Excluding the negative foreign currency translation effects due to a strong Swiss franc of CHF 129.4 million, revenue was CHF 2 431.7 million and thus within the guidance. In absolute terms, Autoneum increased revenue at the Group level consolidated in Swiss francs by CHF 497.8 million to CHF 2 302.3 million (2022: CHF 1 804.5 million).

Revenue development in the regions

In Europe and North America, the significant rise in revenue compared to the previous year was mainly due to the acquisition of Borgers Automotive as well as to higher market volumes and price adjustments. Business Group Europe’s revenue consolidated in Swiss francs was up sharply, climbing by 74.2% over the previous year. As a result of the newly acquired Borgers units, acquisition-related growth was 69.3%. In local currencies, organic growth was 9.3%. Business Group North America significantly boosted revenue consolidated in Swiss francs by 12.7% compared to the previous year, with acquisition-related growth of 10.2% and organic growth of 7.2%. Business Group Asia’s revenue consolidated in Swiss francs decreased by 11.1%, mainly because of negative foreign currency effects. Excluding these translation effects, revenue was at about the same level as the previous year. Acquisition-related growth was 3.3%, while organic revenue in local currencies declined by 4.2%. Business Group SAMEA recorded revenue growth in local currencies of 22.1%, which was primarily due to inflation-related price increases. Persistent sharp declines in the value of various local currencies in this region led to a decrease in revenue consolidated in Swiss francs of 9.6%.

Based on provisional figures and thanks to the turnaround achieved in North America, Autoneum expects an EBIT margin excluding special effects for the 2023 financial year at the upper end of the guidance of 3.5% to 4.5%. The EBIT margin including special effects will be slightly higher than the EBIT margin excluding special effects, as further restructuring measures were decided in Europe in the second half of the year to increase competitiveness. Autoneum expects a free cash flow of well over CHF 100 million excluding acquisition-related net cash outflows and thus exceeds the guidance.

1 S&P market forecast of January 16, 2024

Publication of 2023 revenue and year-end financial statements

The 2023 revenue presentation can be found at www.autoneum.com/investor-relations/financialreports. The full year-end financial statements and the Annual Report 2023 will be presented at the Media Conference on March 13, 2024.

Autoneum and Polestar set new benchmarks for passenger experience and sustainability

As the global market leader in sustainable acoustic and thermal management, Autoneum is a key supplier of interior and exterior components for the highly anticipated Polestar 5 model. The successful collaboration between Autoneum and Polestar marks a significant milestone in sustainable automotive engineering: the electric grand tourer sports car features several innovations in lightweight, fully recyclable polyester-based components that ensure a superior driving experience. Polestar 5 was revealed at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich and is available in 24 markets.

N-Join1: an innovative, adhesive-free carpet that supports the circular economy

Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly looking for recycling solutions for end-of-life vehicles to meet sustainability targets and comply with new regulations that are accelerating the automotive industry’s transition toward a circular economy. In response, Autoneum has developed the N-Join1 carpet. This innovative, monomaterial carpet system, made from recycled materials, eliminates the need for latex and adhesives, thereby offering an eco-friendly solution for vehicle interiors.

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.

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Focus topic shifts to the beginning of the value chain

Following the last Focus Topic in October 2025, which placed Textile-to-Textile Recycling at its core, PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to drive the conversation around circularity – this time with an expanded and more upstream perspective. The upcoming Focus Topic, “Textile to Textile: The Role of Collectors and Sorters,” presented during the spring edition on March 18–19, will spotlight one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of a functioning circular textile system: the efficient collection and sorting of post-consumer textiles.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

European business associations celebrate the signature of the EU-Mercosur FTA

The 17th January marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster.