#Nonwovens

2026-01-29

Suominen reports weaker 2025 results amid market pressure and US supply incidents; no dividend proposed

Suominen Corporation has published its unaudited Financial Statements Release for January 1–December 31, 2025, describing the year as an “unsatisfactory performance in a challenging environment”. Net sales and profitability declined year-on-year, reflecting lower volumes, adverse currency effects and intensified competition, while the company points to two significant incidents at its US facilities that constrained supply and weighed on both sales and profitability in the third and fourth quarters.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Suominen’s net sales fell to EUR 95.3 million (118.5), with comparable EBITDA of EUR 1.9 million (4.2). Cash flow from operations in the quarter increased slightly to EUR 7.0 million (6.5). By business area, net sales in the Americas were EUR 58.8 million (72.7), while EMEA delivered EUR 36.5 million (45.8). For the quarter, the company reported an operating loss of EUR -3.2 million (0.9) and a loss for the period of EUR -3.9 million (0.8).

For the full year 2025, net sales decreased to EUR 412.4 million (462.3). Comparable EBITDA declined to EUR 12.6 million (17.0), while EBITDA was EUR 11.3 million (17.2). Suominen posted an operating loss of EUR -5.9 million (-1.3) and a loss for the period of EUR -12.1 million (-5.3). Despite the weaker result, cash flow from operations improved to EUR 12.2 million (3.9). Net sales in the Americas business area were EUR 252.6 million (287.9) and in EMEA EUR 159.9 million (174.4).

CEO Charles Héaulmé said that the nonwovens market continued to grow in 2025, with the wipes segment supported by the rapid expansion of moist toilet tissue in the United States, but market dynamics were shaped by excess capacity and changing trade flows linked to evolving trade policies. According to the company, imports from low-cost producers intensified, adding price and supply disruption. Suominen also notes that currencies impacted net sales negatively by EUR 4.8 million in Q4 and by EUR 12.0 million for the full year. The company adds that reduced sales volumes were the primary driver behind the comparable EBITDA decline, partly offset by cost-saving initiatives.

Operationally, Suominen highlights progress in its strategic initiatives, including the investment in a new production line in Alicante, Spain, announced in 2024, designed to strengthen sustainable product capabilities. The company states that the project is progressing towards commercial production commencing at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026. Suominen reports that new products accounted for 24% of net sales in the fourth quarter and 27% for the full year. To improve profitability, a cost-saving program launched at the end of the second quarter targets approximately EUR 10 million in benefits over 24 months, with implementation advancing in the second half of 2025 in line with the original plan. Even so, management says financial results and delivery reliability did not meet expectations and that a broad program is intended to be launched in early 2026 to restore performance and “unlock the company’s full potential”.

Looking ahead, Suominen expects its comparable EBITDA in 2026 to improve from 2025, when comparable EBITDA was EUR 12.6 million. The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that no dividend shall be distributed for the financial year 2025 (Dividend per share, EUR: 0.00).

On the balance sheet and financing side, net interest-bearing liabilities (nominal) at December 31, 2025 amounted to EUR 77.6 million (60.8), with gearing of 80.7% (51.7) and an equity ratio of 35.3% (37.9). Suominen notes that it entered into a single-currency syndicated credit facility agreement at the end of June 2025, comprising a EUR 50 million term loan and a EUR 50 million revolving credit facility with a three-year maturity and a one-year extension option, with Danske Bank A/S and Nordea Bank Abp as lenders. Gross capital expenditure in 2025 totaled EUR 26.3 million (16.0), with the largest items related to growth investments in Alicante, Spain and Bethune, USA.

In sustainability reporting, Suominen says it is developing its Climate Change Roadmap and Transition Plan and reiterates a target aligned with a 1.5°C climate scenario, namely a 42% reduction in absolute GHG emissions across Scopes 1–3 over 2025–2030, with 2024 as the base year. The company also reports 2 (2024: 4) lost time accidents (LTA) in 2025. Suominen states that it received an EcoVadis Gold Medal for the second consecutive year, placing it in the top 2% of rated companies.

Suominen plans to publish its Annual Report during the week commencing March 16, 2026, and the Annual General Meeting is planned to be held on April 15, 2026. The next financial report, the Interim Report for January–March 2026, is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Suominen AGM 2026: no dividend, Board composition confirmed, share buyback authorized

Suominen Corporation has held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 15, 2026 as a remote meeting without a physical venue. The AGM adopted the Financial Statements for 2025 and discharged the members of the Board of Directors as well as the President and CEO from liability for the financial year. The AGM also approved the Remuneration Report for 2025 in line with the existing Remuneration Policy, with the resolution being advisory.

Suominen launches three-year profitability improvement program and introduces new operating model and leadership team

Suominen is launching a three-year program to improve the company’s profitability. The Full Potential Program targets 10% EBITDA by 2028. Suominen is also introducing a new functional operating model, with a dedicated focus on customers and factories, designed to strengthen expertise and effectiveness.

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

Keeping products moving with Swedish automation at FILTECH 2026

At FILTECH 2026, taking place in Cologne from June 30th to July 2nd, members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – will highlight how the country’s engineering expertise is enabling filtration manufacturers to increase productivity, improve traceability and reduce dependence on labour-intensive manual processes.

Cinte Techtextil China maps textile future with specialised zones and forward-looking fringe events

As global demand for high-performance materials evolves, Cinte Techtextil China is set to steer the industry’s next growth phase by driving the convergence of global expertise, specialised zones, and forward-looking tech and insights. Building on its diverse scope, the upcoming edition will especially spotlight critical sub-sectors such as Medtech & Protech, Indutech and Buildtech. The offering will be augmented by the well-received Mobiltech and Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zones, alongside the high-calibre German and European Zones. Beyond the booths, the fringe programme structured around four core pillars will chart a definitive roadmap for technical textiles and nonwovens.

2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award® finalists revealed

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announced the three finalists for the 2026 World of WipesInnovation Award®. The finalists are The Clorox Company for their Clorox™ Refreshables™, Lenzing Fibers, Inc. for their Lenzing™ DualWipe, and Rockline Industries for their First Defense™ Fentanyl Detection Wipe.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.