High demand for technical textiles boosts Sioen’s sales
In 2006, Belgian provider of coatings for textile fabrics Sioen Industries posted net sales of €339.4 million (of which €3.7 million were from new acquisitions), up 7% from €316.2 million in 2005. Net profit was €12.1 million compared with €13.6 million in 2005.
Despite price pressure in its traditional markets (mattress protection and protective clothing) and higher raw materials prices, the transfer coating unit maintained its market position and new projects provided further sales increases.
The colour chemicals department saw what the company described as “spectacular growth” in 2006, both from traditional markets for pigment pastes and silicones, and from the acquisitions of a number of assets of Siegwerk Benelux.
In the Apparel Division, the company’s new focus on professional markets led to a slight drop in sales, but provided a 6% increase in operating cash flow. The company provided water- and windproof jackets for an airport handling company, protective clothing for 7,500 employees at a deep-frozen products transportation and logistics company and high-tech flame retardant and anti-static rainwear to a large gas producer in the
