#Yarn & Fiber

2023-03-23

SABIC announces appointment of Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Member of the Board

The Board of Directors of SABIC, a global leader in the chemicals industry, confirmed the appointment of Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Member of the Board, effective March 21, 2023. Al-Fageeh has served as acting CEO of SABIC since September 28, 2022, succeeding H.E. Mr Yousef Al-Benyan who was appointed Minister of Education for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Royal Decree.

“Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh is a proven leader, demonstrated during his long tenure at SABIC. He is well-positioned to continue driving sustainable growth for our customers, employees, shareholders and communities,” said Khalid Hashim Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of SABIC’s Board of Directors. “The future remains bright for SABIC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the chemicals industry as we continue to innovate and expand in order to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. The Board of Directors is confident in SABIC’s ability to continue to realize its vision to be the preferred world leader in chemicals.”

Al-Fageeh joined SABIC more than 35 years ago and has held several key leadership posts within the company. In addition to his role as acting CEO, Al-Fageeh led SABIC’s largest business as Executive Vice President, Petrochemicals since its creation in October of 2016.

“I am grateful to the SABIC Board for their confidence in appointing me as CEO and a board member of SABIC,” said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh. “For over 40 years, SABIC has been driven by a burning ambition to define the future of the dynamic chemicals market. Today, as an industry leader, we have a unique responsibility and opportunity to improve the lives of those around the world by enabling a more sustainable and carbon neutral future. I look forward to continue leading our team as we seek to find sustainable solutions to some of the toughest challenges our world and customers face.”

Additional positions Al-Fageeh has held at SABIC include Executive Vice President for Polymers; Executive Vice President, Performance Chemicals; Vice President, Polyethylene Business and President of YANSAB. He has also chaired SABIC affiliates Petrokemya, Sadaf, Ibn Sina, Shrouq, Yanpet, Kemya, SAMAC, SABIC SK Nexlene Company, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures and SABIC Fujian. He has also chaired the respected World Plastics Council (WPC), an NGO, working efficiently to promote the ethic of sustainability and the responsible use of plastics and currently he is the Chairman of SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company and the Nusaned Investment Company. He is also the Chairman of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association and the chairman of Petrochemical Manufacturers Committee, Mr. Al-Fageeh is also on the Board of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade (GAFT).

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

Sorona® and WGSN announce top bio-based material trends of 2027

Sorona®, the partially bio-based polymer from Covation Biomaterials (CovationBio™), and global trend forecasting authority WGSN today release the material trends shaping the textile industry through 2027 and beyond following a comprehensive examination of bio-based functional fiber applications and global data.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

Fashion for Good launches DW(O)R-X to navigate the emerging landscape of PFAS-free finishes

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS‑based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.