Kimberly-Clark announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softex Indonesia, a leader in the fast-growing Indonesian personal care market, in an all-cash transaction for approximately $1.2 billion from a group of shareholders including CVC Capital Partners Asia Pacific IV. "This acquisition represents a compelling strategic fit and demonstrates our commitment to accelerate growth in developing and emerging markets," says Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. "Moreover, adding Softex Indonesia and its brands to Kimberly-Clark will enhance our company's underlying growth prospects and help us create even more long-term shareholder value." Indonesia is a large, growing market with attractive future prospects, and the acquisition immediately improves Kimberly-Clark's currently limited position in the country to one with strong market share in key personal care categories across Southeast Asia's largest economy. The diaper market in Indonesia is currently estimated at $1.6 billion, the sixth largest in the world, with approximately five million annual births. Approximately 80% of Softex Indonesia sales come from diapers, and it currently holds the No. 2 market share position with the Sweety and Happy Nappy brands while continuing to grow its market presence. The remaining Softex Indonesia sales are mostly in the feminine care and adult care categories. In feminine care, the company holds the No. 3 market share position with the Softex brand. In adult care, it holds the No. 2 market share position with the Confidence brand. Since 1976, Softex Indonesia has built a successful personal care business with strong market positions and has consistently delivered double-digit growth. The company has excellent manufacturing capabilities and a strong go-to-market distribution network. Softex Indonesia generated net sales of approximately $420 million in 2019. The transaction is another demonstration of Kimberly-Clark's commitment to generate improved, sustainable top-line growth and create long-term shareholder value. Excluding one-time transaction and integration costs, the acquisition's impact on adjusted earnings per share in 2020 and 2021 is expected to be immaterial. The transaction will be financed primarily through incremental debt and secondarily cash on hand. The transaction is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2020 and is subject to customary closing conditions. "Softex Indonesia has a strong, growing and profitable business with a portfolio of brands loved by Indonesian consumers," says Aaron Powell, president of Kimberly-Clark's Asia-Pacific consumer business. "This acquisition provides an opportunity for Kimberly-Clark to accelerate our growth in Southeast Asia, and we look forward to combining our strengths in innovation and brand building to expand on Softex Indonesia's continued success."

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, reports its 14th annual World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference connected over 260 participants from 20 countries to advance their wipes business Aug. 25-27 all virtually, through conference presentations, live Q&A, tabletop display rooms, live chat, cocktail hours, afternoon tea, and coffee connections. In its first all virtual format, WOW provided critical program content addressing the latest wipe innovations and presentations from 30 industry leaders on issues, market trends, and statistical data to plan business strategies as well as a virtual three-day Wipes Academy training course. “Virtual WOW allowed me to expand my network and tap into the newest trends without having to leave the house,” says Jonathan Layer, business development manager Americas, Fibertex Nonwovens Inc. Among the event highlights was the announcement of Food Fresh Liners from Berk International LLC as the winner of this year’s World of Wipes Innovation Award. Food Fresh Liners are the first nonwoven that can absorb accumulated moisture in sealed produce packaging to keep produce from wilting and spoiling, thus staying fresher for longer. The annual award recognizes the product that best expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness, and technical sophistication within the entire nonwovens wipes value chain. “Virtual WOW was a good way to step outside the box and get insight from all aspects of the wipes market, and at the same time I made new contacts I would not have ordinarily met,” Roger Shields, sales – Nonwovens, Groz-Beckert USA, Inc. Virtual WOW attracted 24 virtual tabletop displays to connect and create meaningful relationships throughout the entire wipes supply chain. “We are reinventing our approach to conferences to meet the connection and content needs of our industry participants, as well as the social distancing and hygiene needs of the current Covid-19 situation we are in. At the World of Wipes, we were encouraged by our attendees’ ability to adapt to the new technology platform and variety of modes we put forward to creatively interact,” says Dave Rousse, INDA president. Program sessions included Shifting Trade and Market Data, Government Updates/Industry Statistics, Emerging Consumer Wants, Panel Discussions, Industrial Wipes, and Challenges of Plastics in Wipes. To purchase the World of Wipes® conference audio and visual presentation materials for limitless “on-demand” replay. Preceding the conference, INDA presented a virtual Wipes Academy led by instructor Chris Plotz, director of Technical Affairs, INDA. The Academy is the first and only comprehensive wipes training for the entire wipes supply chain. IN 2021, the World of Wipes International Conference will be held July 12-15, at the Atlanta Marquis, in Atlanta, GA.

08.21.20 Subaru of America announced a new recycling initiative to recycle personal protective equipment (PPE) waste in response to the increase in waste due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The new initiative is an expansion of the automaker's existing recycling collection partnership with TerraCycle, the world's leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams. The new collection efforts divert improperly discarded PPE from landfills and incinerators. Subaru will employ TerraCycle's Zero Waste Boxes to collect disposable masks and gloves across more than 20 offices nationwide, including ports, regional training centers and the automaker's headquarters in Camden, NJ. "At Subaru, our commitment to maintaining a safe work environment is as strong as our dedication to protecting and preserving our environment by keeping it clean," says Alan Bethke, senior vice president, Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. "This expansion of our years-long work with TerraCycle allows us to responsibly wear PPE while furthering the Subaru Love Promise commitment to reduce landfill trash and engage in smart environmental practices, simply because it is the right thing to do." Zero Waste Boxes provide a convenient recycling solution for all types of single-use PPE, which are not recyclable through conventional recycling facilities. By placing Zero Waste Boxes in offices around the country, Subaru employees can responsibly dispose of their protective gear instead of tossing items on the ground. To properly collect and recycle PPE waste, each participating Subaru corporate location will utilize the following Zero Waste Boxes: Disposable Gloves Zero Waste Box – to recycle vinyl, nitrile, and latex gloves. Disposable Masks Zero Waste Box – to recycle surgical and industrial face masks. When full, the boxes will be returned to TerraCycle for processing and the collected waste will be cleaned, melted and remolded to make new products. Disposable masks are typically made from #5 polypropylene plastic and can be turned into a variety of items ranging from reusable shipping pallets to plastic lumber applications. Rubberized disposable gloves be used by rubber manufacturers in low-grade applications for products such as matting. "At TerraCycle, our mission has always been to eliminate waste, recycle the unrecyclable and use our innovative business solutions to minimize human impact on the planet," says Tom Szaky, TerraCycle Founder and CEO. "By spearheading this initiative to reduce the impact of PPE waste on the environment, Subaru continues to demonstrate their shared commitment to a greener future."

Branford Castle Partners, LP, a New York City-based private equity firm, announced that its affiliate has purchased Fibrix Filtration, a leading provider of specialized high loft and pleat media air filtration products. The company sells its products to many of the large, brand name filter manufacturers throughout the United States. Branford is teaming up with existing management including CEO Keith White, who is one of the current owners and who will be investing in the transaction as well. This investment represents the first transaction for Branford Castle Fund II, which had a first close in late 2019. "Branford's Fund II is off to a fast start, despite the challenging environment, and we are delighted that Fibrix Filtration is the first investment for our second fund. With air filtration an area of increasing concern throughout the world, we look forward to working with Fibrix management to grow the business and develop new products," says senior managing director Laurence Lederer. Based in Charlotte, NC, Fibrix Filtration has been manufacturing air filtration media products for over 50 years. With four facilities located in North Carolina and Texas, the company's products are pivotal in optimizing the performance of commercial and industrial HVAC systems, leading to enhanced system efficiency, lower energy costs and improved air quality. Fibrix's air filtration media products are designed to meet specific technical standards related to particle capture, pressure drop and dust collection. "We are excited about the Fibrix opportunity and believe the company is well-positioned to grow through a number of organic initiatives under the direction of its excellent management team," says Branford senior associate, Ceon Francis. "We are especially pleased to work on this investment with Byline Sponsor Finance, a division of Byline Bank, which is providing senior debt financing, and Brookside Mezzanine Partners, which is providing mezzanine debt financing." Keith White, CEO, further adds, "The team and I are very proud of all that we've accomplished over the last few years at Fibrix.  We look forward to working closely with our partners at Branford Castle in the next stage of growth of our business." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

UPA Corp Bhd’s subsidiary, UPA Healthcare Products Sdn Bhd, is venturing into the manufacturing of meltblown nonwoven fabric in apparent effort to supply the of three-ply and surgical face mask markets, according to a report in The Malaysian Reserve. Total investment for the project is estimated at RM10 million, or about $2.5 million, to be funded through internally generated funds.. Malaysia-based UPA has placed an order with a reputable meltblown technology developer to supply a state-of-the-art production line with the latest technology to produce nonwoven materials meeting required filtration efficiency. The new line will be installed at the group’s existing facility in Seri Kembangan, Selangor and is expected to commence production by the end of November 2020. Maximum annual production capacity for the fabric is at 600,000 kgs while maximum production capacity for the three-ply mask and surgical face mask is estimated at 86 million pieces per year for the first phase.

Technical Absorbents Limited (TAL) has developed a new grade of super absorbent fiber (SAF) specifically for use within a new range of SAF nonwoven fabrics that are more resistant to shrinkage. The new SAF was developed in response to the demand from the medical industry for a super absorbent fabric suitable for use in advanced wound pad dressings. The fiber had to be capable of withstanding the moisture used in the EtO sterilization process that is frequently employed in the production of the pads, in order to ensure product safety and compliance. EtO sterilization is a low-temperature process (typically between 37 and 63°C) that uses ethylene oxide gas to reduce the level of infectious agents. While generally applied in gas form, however, the EtO is usually mixed with other substances – and often steam. “Obviously superabsorbents and moisture generally aren’t a good combination at this stage in processing and can cause problems,” says TAL product development director Dr. Mark Paterson. “Other methods can be used, but when silicone materials are included, which is more frequently becoming the case, EtO is the preferred treatment method. Regular SAF grades tend to shrink a little and can become hard, which is often not desirable. This innovative SAF grade significantly reduces such potential problems.” The amount of shrinkage caused by EtO sterilization depends very much on the product design and construction, he adds, but in general, the new SAF has been tested and proven to reduce fabric shrinkage by around 70%. It is suitable for use in all SAF nonwoven formats, whether needle punched, thermally bonded or airlaid. While the proprietary process developed at TAL for the production of this new fiber and resulting fabrics was prompted by the specific requirements of wound pad dressings, TAL sees opportunities for its application in other areas as well. “It’s an extremely flexible fiber that can be easily switched with existing SAF grades when manufacturing fabrics and we have a number of current projects in which we’re exploring other end-uses,” Dr. Paterson concludes. “We believe this new range could also open up entirely new application areas on the market.”