Building a strong future. B.I.G. Yarns reveals significant investment in its next-generation Polyamide (PA) technology to help global carpet tile manufacturers meet the demands of the contract market. In addition to this key investment, the company also announces its decision to become a new producer of polyester (PET) yarns for the automotive industry.
The two announcements, made today, reinforce the business’ leadership in yarn innovation and commitment to being at the forefront of supporting changing end-market needs.
B.I.G Yarns is stepping up its focus on developing and producing one-step 3Ply PA yarns using next-generation technology to answer needs for flexibility and broader design options in the carpet tile segment. Total production capacity for one-step 3Ply yarns will increase by > 20% through new lines installed at the plant in France, creating higher output and greater supply security by serving customers from all three of its global plants.
The new lines use B.I.G. Yarns’ cutting-edge PA yarn technology which expands design, contrast and colour freedoms for carpet tile manufacturers, and increases flexibility in lot sizes. These advances enable customers to respond quickly to developments in the contract market. In addition, the new technology features a higher level of automation which improves ergonomics for B.I.G. Yarns’ employees. Importantly, it also optimizes energy use which contributes in energy savings at the French site specifically. The new production lines will be deployed from mid-2022.
To enhance support for a future of more sustainable automotive interiors, B.I.G. Yarns will enter into PET yarn production for the first time and offer a portfolio of PET yarns by the third quarter of 2022. These will be available for automotive applications alongside its EqoCycle® recycled-based PA6 yarns.
Emmanuel Colchen, General Manager, B.I.G. Yarns, comments: “With the additional capacity in the best-in-class 1 step 3ply PA yarns technology and expanding our portfolio into a new direction with PET, B.I.G. Yarns is taking strategic steps to better serve the evolving needs of its customers. We are opening up exciting new opportunities with a continuous focus on innovation and sustainability. We will generate an important step that will support our goal of reducing our carbon footprint. We want to build a strong future path for our business and our customers, and these investments advance that commitment in full alignment with our vision. We also like to acknowledge and thank the support of the Hauts-de-France region and French “Relance Program” which supported our initiative strongly and selected our French production plant for the industrial investment acceleration fund. We are grateful for this encouragement and belief in the B.I.G. Yarns’ endeavors.”
B.I.G. Yarns is proactive in developing new products that better serve customers’ needs in a sustainable way. Its sustainable solutions are at the forefront of industry product design, and it is fully committed to integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals in its operations. Its 2 European plants have this year been granted a first Sustainable Business Charter 2021 and from July both sites ran on 100 % on green electricity, reducing its CO2 emissions for its electricity use by 35 % in 2021, and with 75 % in 2022.
B.I.G. YARNS is an independent entity within the Belgian family-owned business Beaulieu International Group and part of its Engineered Products Business Unit. It is a leading manufacturer of polyamide (PA) and polypropylene (PP) yarns for contract, automotive, residential and technical applications. Its products are supplied in the form of bulk continuous filament (BCF) and ennobled yarn (twist, heatset and frisé). B.I.G. YARNS distinguishes itself with an entrepreneurial yet simultaneously warm-hearted partnership approach, inspired by an open, SME culture, to create a wide range of high-quality yarns and related services that are often developed in close collaboration with customers and always with due respect to man and nature.
Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) is a global specialist in raw chemical materials (polymers), semi-finished engineered solutions (yarns, fibres, technical textiles) and is a leader in a broad range of floor coverings for the residential and commercial markets (vinyl rolls, vinyl planks, laminate, parquet, carpet, needle felt, artificial grass and mats) as well as upholstery fabrics.
B.I.G. is headquartered in Belgium and employs 4700 people worldwide. We have production sites in 17 countries across Eurasia, America and Oceania and serve customers in 140 countries. B.I.G. reported a turnover of EUR 1.7 billion in 2020.
At Beaulieu International Group, we work with purpose and passion to build the future. Our spirit of enterprise and ambition are the drivers of permanent added value for customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and the society we work in.
Next date for Texcare International in November 2024
From November 9 to 13, 2024, manufacturers of laundry and dry-cleaning technology will once again meet in person with textile-care companies at the Frankfurt Exhibition Centre for Texcare International. Messe Frankfurt and its partners have agreed on this date.
Every four years, textile-service companies, laundries and dry cleaners from all over the world come to Frankfurt for Texcare International. The focus is on innovations in the industry and on networking and exchanges with business partners. Due to the Corona pandemic, the trade fair had to be suspended once in 2020/2021. Messe Frankfurt and its partners, VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies and the German Textile Cleaning Association, have now jointly agreed a new date for the next Texcare International: From 9 to 13 November 2024, the international industry highlight will celebrate its physical comeback in Frankfurt.
Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, Director Texcare International, explains: “There were two decisive reasons for choosing the new date. On the one hand, it fits very well into the international trade fair calendar. On the other hand, it was favoured by exhibitors and visitors because it is during the low season for the tourism industry, when most investments are made. We are already looking forward to the next Texcare International, to real business encounters and live presentations in 2024 and are working with full energy towards the success of the event.”
Technology suppliers use Texcare International to launch their innovations, which they often develop just in time for the fair. The frequency of the fair therefore also goes hand in hand with the innovation cycle of the manufacturers. The appeal of Texcare International for visitors and exhibitors alike lies in the bundling of innovations in one place, ‘real’ machines and intensive exchange with business partners. The product range extends from laundry and dry-cleaning technology, detergents and cleaning agents, linen and workwear to IT and logistics.
Until the next Texcare International, Messe Frankfurt is offering the industry further events for textile care in important economic regions of the world. Following the successful start in Nantes, the second Texcare Forum France will be held in Marseille on 13 December. In the United States, preparations are already in full swing for the Clean Show from 30 July to 2 August 2022. The next Texcare Asia & China Laundry Expo from 11 to 13 August 2022 will be the industry meeting place for the dynamic Asian markets. Texcare Forum Russia is also scheduled for autumn 2022. For further information on Messe Frankfurt’s textile-care fairs and forums, please visit www.textile-care.messefrankfurt.com/