Colbond launches local focus for Chinese market

2008-04-02

Arnhem, the Netherlands (March 2008) – At the recent Domotex Chinafloor held from March 11-13 in Shanghai, Colbond signaled its determination to meet the specific needs of the fast-growing Chinese market. The Company has established local presence through a Chinese sister company and announced variants of its extensive product range developed specifically for the Chinese market.

At Domotex Colbond exhibited together with Low & Bonar sister company Yihua Bonar Yarns & Fabrics Co., Ltd. Innovative products for the artificial turf industry were the key theme of both Companies, who used the show to launch a local version of Colturf® primary turf backing.

With the addition of Colback® to its range of primary and secondary backings Yihua Bonar is now equipped with a comprehensive product offering for the carpet industry: woven backings for basic tuft constructions and nonwovens for carpet tiles and patterned broadloom carpet. Colbond sees the new representation by their local sister company as a major strategic advantage facilitating market penetration through a well developed distribution network. Harry Verbakel, Sales and Marketing Director, Colbond said: “Domotex Chinafloor is an excellent indicator for the overall market situation. Compared to last year, we saw a significant increase of interest in backings for the top segment of tufted carpet.”

He continued: “The rapid growth of the Chinese economy is raising the bar for products for the construction and refurbishment of commercial or industrial buildings. State-of-the art design is gaining in importance, and the unique composition of Colback®, which ensures easy processing and outstanding dimensional stability, allows the production of complex and demanding carpet constructions.”

In a further move to ensure that its range of products meets the required performance at rates adjusted to market conditions in China, Colbond is offering special types of Colback® for this market.

The ability to tailor products to the demands of specific business environments also shows in Colturf®. Only three months after the launch of this three-component high-performance primary backing for the European market in January, Yihua Bonar and Colbond presented the result of close co-operation for the Chinese market: a product combining Colback® with Yihua Bonar wovens (superior stitch holding) and locally sourced needle-punched nonwovens (high tuft lock). Mr. Verbakel said: “Discussions with visitors to our Domotex stand proved that the trend towards high-quality tufted products is also influencing the artificial turf industry. We noticed that carpet manufacturers value the combination of European know-how with Chinese manufacturing expertise, cultural background and quick delivery from local stock. We see a promising future ahead for Colback® and Colturf® in the China region”.

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Colbond is a leading producer and supplier of high-quality synthetic nonwovens for flooring, automotive and construction applications and of three-dimensional polymeric mats and composites for civil engineering, building and industrial applications.

The company’s production facilities are based in Emmen and Arnhem (NL), Obernburg (D), and Asheville (NC, USA). Regional sales offices are located all over the world. For product and application development, the company maintains a Development and Application Centre at the Arnhem head office and a Development Laboratory in Asheville.

Colbond is part of the Technical Textiles Division of Low & Bonar. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Low & Bonar employs more than 2,700 people worldwide.

Colturf and Colback are registered trademarks of Colbond bv.

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