#Nonwovens

2026-03-12

Sandler turns financial stability into a catalyst for shaping the future

Completed in 2025, this connecting bridge between two Sandler AG factory buildings in Schwarzenbach is part of the automation initiative. (Photo: © 2026 Sandler AG)

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.

More automation and leaner processes

“We were not satisfied with our operational performance in the 2025 fiscal year. The market environment remained difficult,” says CEO Philipp Ebbinghaus. “However, instead of complaining about the challenging conditions, we want to look ahead. That’s why we are consistently working on our strategic initiatives in Schwarzenbach and Perry”. Some of the key areas mentioned by the CEO include improvements in production efficiency and leaner administrative processes. “We were once again able to turn our financial stability into a catalyst for shaping the future through substantial investments,” adds Philipp Ebbinghaus.

Over EUR 30 million invested in Schwarzenbach in 2025

The high investment amount of over EUR 30 million in 2025, especially in Schwarzenbach, is evidence of our success in this regard. For example, the company automated the material flow between two factory buildings at the site and invested in a high-tech production line. “The new 150-meter-long connecting bridge is just one element of our comprehensive automation initiative,” says Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (CCO). “The investment in the new production line will provide additional capacity as soon as the market picks up again.” In addition, funds were invested in the further development of the IT system landscape and in customer management.

Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO) (right side) and Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (CCO) announcing significant investments. (Photo: © 2026 Sandler AG/Fotostudio Schwarzenbach)

“All these investments are now having an effect on our costs. However, they will significantly strengthen us in the medium term,” says Philipp Ebbinghaus. “Therefore, we will once again invest a double-digit million EUR amount in Schwarzenbach in 2026. The focus will be on logistics and production, as well as additional PV systems and the planned battery storage system. However, we won’t know until the end of 2026 whether it will be economically viable to contract a third party to install our own wind turbines.”

Philipp Ebbinghaus pointed out that the considerable scope for action is an advantage that has been diligently earned through the forward-looking approach of previous generations. The entire management team will remain committed to this guiding principle, as well as to its goal of driving innovations. In 2025, Sandler AG acquired a stake in Phoenix Non Woven GmbH & Co. KG, thus gaining access to sophisticated technologies that open up new markets and applications such as thermal insulation, new drive technologies, hydrogen, and battery cells.

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.

Sandler Gruppe launches finexus® brand: Sustainable nonwovens for molded parts in vehicles

finexus® - the solution for sound insulation, thermal insulation, and sustainability in vehicles. These nonwovens prove themselves in a variety of molded part applications in the mobility sector. In interior or exterior applications of passenger and commercial vehicles, the single-polymer material finexus® offers what was previously implemented using multilayer structures. From underbody to headliner and from wheel arch liner to trunk liner; with conventional drives or in electromobility.

INDEX™26: A strong edition in a challenging context, confirming Geneva’s role as a global hub for innovation in the nonwovens sector

EDANA’s INDEX™26, the world’s leading trade fair for nonwovens, co-organised with Palexpo, officially concluded last Friday 22 May with a successful edition. In a context marked by uncertainty and continued pressure, the 2026 edition of INDEX™ concluded successfully. With a diverse range of 625 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, an important number of visitors, and an expanded international reach, the event confirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and a representative showcase of the nonwovens’ ecosystem.

Trützschler and Wisdom-Greentech held a signing ceremony for the ultra-high-speed 4.2m Air-Through Bonding (ATB) line

On May 20, 2026, Trützschler and Wisdom-Greentech, a Chinese customer specializing in high-end maternal, infant & child care industry and related disposable nonwoven products, held a signing ceremony for the purchase of a ultra-high-speed 4.2m ATB line in Geneva, Switzerland. This cooperation not only represents a deepened partnership between the two parties in the ATB sector, but also marks a new milestone in production efficiency for the high-end maternal, infant and child care product industry chain. This jointly developed 4.2m ATB line is more than just an investment. It stands as a milestone achievement of Sino-German technological cooperation, empowering the high-end hygiene industry including feminine care, adult care and related disposable nonwoven products, and realizing a dual breakthrough in production capacity and product quality.

Fifteen years of Autoneum – From spin off to global technology leader

What started as a strategic carve‑out has since become the success story of a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for vehicles. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Autoneum supplies leading automobile manufacturers worldwide with innovative, lightweight and increasingly sustainable solutions.

Kruger, Canada, orders first nonwovens line for sustainable wipes from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from newly established Kruger Nonwovens to deliver a complete WetlaceTM hybrid line for the Wayagamack mill in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. With this investment, pulp and paper producer Kruger is preparing to enter the nonwovens market with a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials for sustainable wipes. The line is the first of its kind in Canada and is scheduled to start production in 2028.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.