Trevira, a leading polyester manufacturer, has reported its achievements in 2016, concluding that due to the difficult business, particularly in specialties, it will not be possible to achieve the above-average performance recorded in 2015.

Business in flame retardant fibres and yarns was stable. Strong demand continues for fibres and yarns with a low-melt component, for use in products for interior solar shading or for textiles with sound absorption effect. There are also signs of greater potential for growth in the development of new FR bico-fibres catering for the acoustic panel sector. Likewise, spun-dyed colours are still arousing great interest and this in a wide variety of applications. In fibres, spun-dyed products for the industrial sector registered growth, and the Business Unit Filament extends its range of colours in flame retardants, mainly aimed at the decorative fabrics market.

In the office sector, coarse air- textured yarns with wool characteristics are enjoying strong demand. Together with yarn partners, the available portfolio of melange and fancy yarns has been extended, this in response to the current trend for fabrics with natural looks. In terms of volume, there is a slight positive development in Trevira CS Bioactive business.

Despite exposure to considerable price pressure, especially in the hotel sector, the high- end Trevira CS market again witnessed new collections in 2016, mainly incorporated into this sector. Positive signs are evident, especially in the German hotel market. Here an increasing need for refurbishment is being driven by such factors as generation change and a long-standing backlog in investment, linked to the trend towards holidaying in a relatively secure environment.

Globalising Trevira CS brand

Pushing ahead with globalising the Trevira CS brand, Trevira is taking further steps to open up the brand policy for Asiatic manufacturers. These will in future be able to supply Trevira CS fabrics in all regions outside Europe. It will also be possible to do business in European markets with gold and silver customers based in Europe.

In the automotive business, there are positive initiatives towards new projects that are being energetically pursued. Trevira’s concept of supplying European partners to cater for local industries in non-European countries is again reflected in new business in the automotive sector. An example is in yarns supplied to Mexico, where they are used to make components for headliners, parcel shelves and pillars.

Events, projects and networking

In presenting the Trevira CS brand and new products at sector events, Trevira last year pursued the policy of appearing together with customers and partners, both at the large international home textiles fairs and at segment events in important target markets. As well as Heimtextil in Frankfurt once again, the agenda included Münchner Stoff Frühling, MoOD Brussels and Intertextile Shanghai.

Highlight of the year was the first ever appearance at Orgatec in Cologne, where the fibre manufacturer, together with six Trevira CS partners, presented textile solutions for the modern worlds of work. The stand concept aroused great attention with its spectacular staging of the separate themes in Trevira City.

Initiative Textile Räume

Trevira helped to launch the Initiative Textile Räume (ITR), demonstrating Trevira’s commitment to networking with customers and partners in the textile chain. It is already two years since this sector initiative was established in December 2014 and the subsequent start of the consumer campaign #GibDirSttoff.

The fibre manufacturer continues its active contribution to the activities of the association which intend to enliven the market for home textiles and enhance their appeal to end users. At the end of November 2016 Trevira marketing director Anke Vollenbröker was elected chairwoman of the advisory board.

“We believe we can set things in motion, if as many industry partners at every level as possible join in, from the furnisher and supplier, to manufacturers, to dealers and editors. The more they join us, the more we can achieve,” she said.

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