Freudenberg nonwovens raises prices globally

Advances in Textiles Technology, August, 2008

The world's leading nonwovens manufacturer, Freudenberg Nonwovens, has raised its prices for nonwoven products with effect from 7 July. The company, which is based in Weinheim, Germany, says steep increases in the costs of raw materials and energy have forced it to act: its average raw material and input costs have risen by more than 25% since the beginning of 2008.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Freudenberg Nonwovens Bruce Olson says the company has done what it can to put off raising its prices: "Over the past months, we have made substantial productivity improvements and implemented major investments. This has allowed us to absorb some of the increased input costs earlier in the year, but given the accelerating escalation of raw material prices, especially for petrochemical, transportation and energy, we now have no choice but to raise our sales prices aggressively as well."

The cost of polyester raw materials as one of the key components of nonwoven products has continued its unabated rise to unprecedented levels. Industry experts are unfortunately anticipating further raw material price increases as the year progresses. Sales prices of interlinings, spunlaid and industrial nonwoven products, and filters (especially micronAir[R] cabin air filters) will increase by up to a double-digit percentage depending on the composition of the product.

For further information, contact: Christof Schroder, Director Corporate Communications Freudenberg Nonwovens. Tel: 6201-80-5009. Fax 6201-88-5009. E-mail: press@freudenberg-nw.com; http://www.freudenberg-nw.de