Polyfelt acquisition gives Royal Cate global geosynthetics leadership
13 Oct '05
3 min read
High-performance textile and nonwoven fabrics products company Royal Ten Cate acquires European market leader in geosynthetics Polyfelt GmbH from OMV Refining & Marketing GmbH (Vienna). As a result of this takeover, Ten Cate will achieve a leading global position in the market for geotextile materials.
By merging the combined complementary product portfolios in particular the market positions in Europe and Asia are considerably strengthened. Polyfelt, with production facilities in Linz, Bezons/Paris and Kuala Lumpur, has annual sales of approximately €90 million and employs 364 people. Approximately 70 percent of Polyfelt's sales are generated in Europe. In addition, Polyfelt has a 50 percent interest in the Australian company, Geofabrics Australasia.
Geosynthetics is the collective name for products (wovens, grids and non-wovens) that are used mainly in the civil engineering, agri and construction sectors. The application of these materials is targeted in particular at (erosion) protection, land reclamation, drainage, separation of substrata and the reinforcement of dykes and dam walls.
Royal Ten Cate already operates in this market through Ten Cate Nicolon (Europe, Asia and the US). The Industrial Fabrics & Grass sector, of which the Nicolon activities form a part, recorded autonomous growth of 24 percent in the first half of 2005. Sales of geotextiles increased correspondingly, although this growth was mainly achieved in the US.
As a result of the takeover, Ten Cate Nicolon's position outside the US will be considerably strengthened. Polyfelt will strengthen the market position in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. Polyfelt will make a positive contribution to further growth in these activities.
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