Full of fibre FiberVisions

FULL OF FIBRE

A global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing polyolefin stable fibres for non-woven applications, FiberVisions is a passionate promoter of more sustainable solutions. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to George Joncas, business director for the Americas, to learn how it is putting its visions into practice.

Worldwide manufacturing company FiberVisions is the leader in polyolefin stable fibres for non-woven applications, as well as being the world’s leading supplier of bi-component fibres thanks to its joint venture ES FiberVisions. Dedicated to using the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities, the company provides innovative products to industries including personal hygiene, textiles, automotive and construction.

First established as Hercules Incorporated in the US in the early 1960, today FiberVisions is a globally active company that is owned by Indorama Ventures PLC. George Joncas, FiberVisions’ business director for the Americas, told Industry Europe how this setup supports the business mission and its customers’ needs. Mr Joncas observed: “Following our acquisition by Indorama in 2012 we have been able to enjoy an even stronger capability to develop fibre innovations that enable customers to successfully meet the ever-changing and increasing market demands and helps ensure that FiberVisions will remain the world leader in supplying bi-component and performance polyolefin fibres.”

With a focus on delivering solutions, FiberVisions is known for innovation, high quality products and superior customer service. Its ongoing vision is to continue its more than 50 year success story as the undisputed world leader in its field through utilising proprietary technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to create and supply high performance products to its customers. “We have a four-point strategy to achieve this, with every element focused on customer satisfaction and building on the skills of our people,” Mr Joncas continued. “Firstly, we promise to develop and supply high quality products and a superior service to customers worldwide. Secondly, we will continue to invest in our R&D so we keep developing innovative solutions that meet today’s market challenges. Thirdly, we expect to expand our global capacity to meet the rising demand and, lastly, we shall continue to pursue strategic mergers and acquisitions that reinforce our innovation capabilities and expand our ability to serve customers.”

Extensive portfolio

FiberVisions proudly provides the broadest product portfolio of any polyolefin stable fibre company in the world, and operates technologically advanced manufacturing sites in such diverse locations as Georgia (USA), Varde (Denmark) and Suzhou (China). Furthermore, it has a number of bi-component fibre sites across Asia, in China, Thailand and Japan. Mr Joncas noted, “We are well-positioned to meet customer supply needs wherever they are in the world.”

The extensive product portfolio from FiberVisions is the perfect showcase for its services and core technologies. Its fibres are used in non-woven applications made by carding, wet lay, air lay and air laid web formation processes and consolidated by different technologies

such as thermal bonding, air through bonding, needle punching and spunlacing. Mr Joncas continued, “We have extensive capabilities throughout our entire product portfolio, all of which is focused on providing complete customer satisfaction with products and services that perfectly address their needs. Our capabilities include PP and PE monocomponent fibres, PP or PET core, hydrophilic, hydrophobic and other functional finishes and a range of fibre lengths. We also offer a range of fibre designs, with different shapes and cross sections available, as well as additives for enhanced performance. FiberVisions also manufactures a range of proprietary fibres for our customers.”

Ready for FILTECH

The upcoming FILTECH exhibition is a great opportunity for FiberVisions to showcase its capabilities and meet with new and potential customers. The company plans to present a number of its bi-component and PP monocomponent fiber types under the Intercept™ brand to show solutions to a variety of filtration needs, such as improved filtration efficiency, improved dust holding capacity, increased filter media stiffness and reduced pressure drop. Mr Joncas explained, “Our strategy at the FILTECH exhibition is to identify and meet new potential filter media clients. We will promote our filtration technology platforms for air and liquid filter media applications. We also hope to inform and educate European filtration customers of potential performance gains and add value to opportunities that may be achieved with our technology offerings.”

Mr Joncas noted that the current challenges faced by the filtration industry are very much at the heart of FiberVisions’ new product development. “The need for better health, cleaner air and cleaner water supplies has been an impetus for improved water purification for drinking water and air treatment in the HVAC and transportation industries,” he said. “We have aligned our filtration developments on these industry trends and on specific customer needs so that we continue to be the proven partner in our field.”

As the company looks forward to its next chapter, FiberVisions expects to continue its success with further global growth and an everincreased focused on innovation. Mr Joncas concluded: “We remain open to investment in the areas of capability, capacity and quality and we are excited to maintain our impressive reputation for meeting growing market demands on both a local and a global level.” n

For more information please visit: www.fibervisions.com or www.es-fibervisions.com