Awards

Beaulieu Fibres International awarded prestigious FM Global “Highly Protected Risk” (HPR) status for production site in Wielsbeke

HPR is the highest status a plant can achieve for fire risk prevention and protection

•             The site Beaulieu Fibres International is the fourth in the Beaulieu International Group to reach HPR status

•             Underlines Group’s commitment to risk prevention at B.I.G. sites & to reinforcing our strong business contingency plan

Beaulieu Fibres International, one of the leading polyolefin staple fibre producers, is pleased to announce the achievement of Highly Protected Risk (HPR) status for its production site in Wielsbeke, a designation that means a facility meets the highest industry standards for property protection.

HPR status was awarded by FM Global, Beaulieu International Group’s (B.I.G.) industrial property and business interruption insurer for the past three years. The company offers B.I.G a unique concept that supports the Group in reducing its exposure to loss and increasing its business resilience. A dedicated worldwide team of engineers focuses on providing assistance and protection of its assets, helping the Group to achieve a higher level of risk protection.

The Beaulieu Fibres International site produces high performance fibres for a large variety of applications and market segments. It scored exceptionally well in its FM Global assessment which focused on aspects including fire protection, protection against natural hazards, mechanical breakdown of machinery, cyber risks and consequent business interruption.

Its overall risk mark of 83 ranks it within the top 25% of its industry for fire risk prevention and protection.

Commenting on the Award, Maria Teresa Tomaselli, Global Sales Director Fibres, said: “This HPR fibre production site reinforces strongly our supply chain security and demonstrates our engagement towards our customers and partners. Our contingency planning and risk management are essential, well-considered elements within our long-term business strategy to demanding sectors such as Automotive, Geotextiles, Flooring industries.”

Beaulieu Fibres International Wielsbeke is the fourth facility in the Group to attain HPR status, and the third in Europe. Fire risk prevention is a part of the Group’s broader risk management activities. B.I.G. is investing in increasing the level of protection at all its plants to protect business continuity.

All business units of B.I.G. are also implementing a number of safety programmes to maintain strong safety records and further raise awareness of workplace safety.

Karena Cancilleri, Vice President Beaulieu Engineered Products, commented: “I am proud of Beaulieu Fibres International for achieving the highly-regarded FM Global HPR Award and setting an example for the whole Beaulieu International Group. This positive step reflects the strong commitment of the Engineered Products business unit and the rest of the Group to improve safety and protect our staff, workplaces and production facilities.”

Beaulieu Fibres International received the HPR Award at a ceremony on February 20, 2019 attended by all maintenance staff and representatives of B.I.G. Management, Beaulieu Fibres International Management and FM Global Management.

Beaulieu Fibres International

As largest European producer of polyolefin fibres, our company is part of the Engineered Products Business Unit of Beaulieu International Group, with headquarters in Belgium.

With three production sites in Europe – two in Belgium and one in Italy, we supply PP and PE/PP BICO fibres with linear densities of 1.0 to 500 dtex to customers in industries such as Automotive, Hygiene, Geotextiles, Flooring, Filtration and Upholstery. Our broad portfolio includes colored fibres, high elongation fibres, high tenacity fibres, ultrasoft fibres with different cross-sections, including trilobal, suitable for a wide range of processing technologies.

Member of Beaulieu International Group

Beaulieu International Group is a well-respected industrial group with headquarters in Belgium. It holds an important market position both in the production of raw materials and intermediate goods, and the supply of perfectly finished floorcoverings.

Beaulieu International Group is composed of three business units. ‘Flooring Solutions’, is a worldwide leader in wall-to-wall floorcoverings (carpet, needle felt, artificial grass, cushion vinyl, vinyl planks, laminate, parquet, wall panels and mats). A second business Unit, ‘Polymers’, produces polypropylene granules for numerous applications. The third business unit ‘Engineered Products’, houses the activities related to ‘Fibres’, ‘Yarns’, ‘Technical Textiles’ and ‘Technical Sheets’.

Another division of Beaulieu International Group is specialized in the development and production of quality upholstery fabrics for the sofa industry.

Beaulieu International Group has more than 5,000 employees in 27 plants, 16 representative offices and distribution centres spread across 16 countries. In 2017, the combined turnover was close to €2 billion.

The Beaulieu International Group’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ambitions make it the model of diversity and evolution within the sector. They allow it to create added value sustainably for customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and for the society in which it operates.

https://www.beaulieufibres.com

https://bintg.com/en

VF Corporation Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for Third Consecutive Year

Recognition honours companies for their critical role to influence and drive positive change in the business community and societies around the world

VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, has been recognized as one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This is VF’s third consecutive year to receive the distinction.

“We’re proud to once again be recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies,” said Steve Rendle, VF’s Chairman, President and CEO. “As a purpose-led company, we take deliberate actions to embed high ethical, social and environmental standards throughout all aspects of our business. This recognition is a testament to the commitment of VF associates across our global enterprise to work with integrity and lead by example.”

As one of two apparel companies to make the list, VF was among 128 honourees to be recognized spanning 21 countries and 50 industries. The Ethisphere Institute’s 2019 class of honourees profoundly illustrate how companies continue to be the driving force for improving communities, building capable and empowered workforces, and fostering corporate cultures focused on ethics and a strong sense of purpose.

“Companies like VF that take the long view with a purpose-based strategy are proven to not only outperform, but last,” said Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer Timothy Erblich. “I congratulate everyone at VF for earning this recognition.”

VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) outfits consumers around the world with its diverse portfolio of iconic lifestyle brands, including Vans®, The North Face®, Timberland®, Wrangler® and Lee®. Founded in 1899, VF is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies with socially and environmentally responsible operations spanning numerous geographies, product categories and distribution channels. VF is committed to delivering innovative products to consumers and creating long-term value for its customers and shareholders.

The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character and measure and improve culture. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition program and provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA).

www.vfc.com

https://ethisphere.com

DOMO Chemicals Earns Acclaim from Frost & Sullivan for Its Comprehensive Portfolio of Polyamides based upon Post-Industrial Feedstock

Based on its recent analysis of the European post-industrial feedstock (PIF)-based polyamides market, Frost & Sullivan recognises DOMO Chemicals with the 2018 European Product Line Strategy Leadership Award. The company is established as a prominent solution provider in the market, offering both conventional and sustainable polyamide resin grades for diverse applications. The company’s cost-effective polyamides are the optimum solutions in a market challenged by increasingly stringent policies and regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and the generation, handling, and disposal of waste.

Within its DOMO Engineering Plastics business unit, DOMO offers a wide range of virgin polyamide resin grades under the brand name DOMAMID®, primarily for the automotive, electrical and electronics, industrial and consumer goods, sporting goods, and food industries. Additionally, in line with the demand for greener alternatives, the company delivers a range of recycled polyamide resins (PA6 and PA66) based on PIF, under the brand name ECONAMID®.

2018 European Post-Industrial Feedstock (PIF) Based Polyamides Product Line Strategy Leadership Award

“DOMO’s ECONAMID range of recycled polyamides is based on sustainable feedstock derived either from film manufacturing or from fibre and yarn manufacturing. Thus, the company has successfully implemented a closed-loop system and has effectively developed a circular economy model,” said Gautam Rashingkar, senior research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Depending on the applications and the desired level of physical properties, the company can provide polyamides that are unfilled, mineral filled, glass-fiber filled, or carbon-fiber filled.”

Using a detailed life cycle analysis (LCA), DOMO has successfully demonstrated the environmental gains that can be accrued from using its ECONAMID range of resins. Moroever, the company was the first European producer to obtain a UL Environmental Validation for its products. In addition to its greener profile, the company’s uninterrupted supply of consistent-quality resins is proving to be highly attractive in technical applications. DOMO Group has strategically secured feedstock sources and established reliable, long-term supply agreements for quality post-industrial, pre-consumer feedstock from fibre and film production.

“Because of the growing demand for the ECONAMID and DOMAMID ranges in Europe, DOMO  plans to increase the capacity at its German facility by nearly 20,000 tonnes between now and 2021,” noted Rashingkar. “These infrastructure upgrades, along with a well-developed product mix, strong technical experience, and 360-degree customer service, have helped the company gain an edge in the recycled polyamides market.”

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a comprehensive product line that caters to the breadth of the market it serves. The award recognises the extent to which the product line meets the customer base’s demands and the overall impact it has in terms of customer value and increased market share.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About DOMO Chemicals

DOMO Chemicals is a leading producer of high-quality engineering materials and versatile plastics for industrial and consumer applications in a diverse range of markets, including the automotive, food, medical, pharmaceutical, chemicals and electronics industries. The company offers a complete portfolio of integrated nylon 6 products, including intermediates, resins, engineering plastics and packaging film.

Headquartered in Belgium, the family-owned company leverages advanced technology and consumer insights to deliver sustainable & innovative solutions. DOMO generated 2018 sales over EUR 900 million and employs approximately 900 employees worldwide.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, collaborates with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. For more than 50 years, Frost & Sullivan has been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community.

www.domochemicals.com