Thailand-based polyester producer Indorama Ventures PCL (IVL) has acquired Duluth, Ga.-based
FiberVisions Holdings LLC — a producer of specialty polyolefin staple fibers for nonwoven
applications, and through its joint venture (JV) ES FiberVisions, a producer of bicomponent fibers.
With manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Denmark, Argentina and China,
FiberVisions has a global production capacity totaling more than 200,000 tons per year. The company
devotes 75 percent of that capacity to the production of fibers for disposable branded feminine
hygiene products and 25 percent to fiber production for automotive and industrial applications.
FiberVisions also has a JV with Japan-based bicomponent fiber producer JNC.
“The acquisition of FiberVisions significantly enhances IVL’s position in the world’s most
specialized fibers business for hygiene products and other growing fiber applications,” said Aloke
Lohia, Group CEO, IVL. “As the largest producer of polypropylene staple fiber, FiberVisions
complements our strength as the world’s largest polyester producer and together we will increase
our ability to satisfy customer needs in all parts of the world.”
“The combination of IVL and FiberVisions will give us an even stronger capability to develop
fiber innovations to help our customers successfully meet the ever changing and increasing market
demands,” said Dr. Stephen Wood, CEO, FiberVisions. Wood said FiberVisions’ customer and
supplier relationships will not change as a result of the acquisition, adding, “We will continue
our focus on serving our customers with high-quality products, innovation, and superior service.”
IVL’s acquisition of FiberVisions follows several other notable acquisitions over the last
year including Wichita, Kan.-based Invista’s U.S. and Mexican polyester assets; Germany-based
polyester fiber and filament producer Trevira GmbH, acquired through a JV with Italy-based
Sinterama S.p.A.; Ireland-based Wellman International Ltd.’s recycling and fiber businesses in
Europe; and South Korea-based SK Chemicals Co. Ltd.’s polyester assets in Indonesia and Poland.
January 18, 2012