#Techtextil 2022

2022-05-12

More than nonwovens: Sandler at Techtextil 2022

More than Sandler is THE motto at Techtextil 2022. The focus is on innovations and initiatives geared towards cooperating closely with partners to implement performance and sustainability throughout the product life cycle and beyond.

At the international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, Sandler invites you to experience more – more innovation and more commitment to sustainability.

From raw material selection to recycling optimised for every application: high-performance quality nonwovens made by Sandler pave the way for environmentally friendly product solutions:

bluefiber: more than acoustics. Designing living and working space, enabling concentrated work, promoting individual room concepts, conserving resources! bluefiber portfolio: more than 100% single-polymer, made to a large extent from post-consumer fibres, fully recyclable at the end-of-lifetime, the right solution for every project.

Fast Forward Fabric: more than noise reduction. The symbiosis of maximum performance and resource conservation. Textile materials for highly stable complex component geometries, specific material configurations for optimized vehicle acoustics inside the passenger compartment as well as towards the surroundings. The open-pore structure combines noise dampening and thermal management. Made from 100% polyester with up to 80% recycled fibres Fast Forward Fabric creates closed material cycles.

More than recycling: Sandler further expands its sustainability campaign #sandlerpuzzle. The initiative „Going beyond circular limitations“ is the next step towards creating closed cycles. Sandler and National Sweden AB integrate modern concepts to recycle processing remnants – resulting in raw materials for the manufacture of new products. Partnership and commitment create a completely closed material cycle: reducing waste and decreasing the use of virgin resources.

Discover more than ideas created by Sandler, discover more of the world of innovative nonwovens. Meet the Sandler team live in Frankfurt/Main at booth D50, hall 12.1, or online at the first virtual Techtextil show and let yourself be inspired by many more ideas.

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.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.

"Dynamic markets do not only create uncertainty – they also create opportunities."

Volatile markets, increasingly complex materials and growing demands for flexibility are changing the weaving industry. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in technical textiles, filtration, composites and many other specialised applications. Since taking over as Head of DORNIER's Weaving Machines Product Line at the beginning of 2026, Yvonne Schuberth has been helping to shape this development. In this interview with TexData, she explains why process stability and customer proximity remain the foundation of innovation, how digitalisation is transforming weaving mills, and why she believes the future belongs to technologically demanding applications.