Andritz, an international technology group, has been awarded a contract by Quimicolor, a Colombian wipes converting company, to supply a complete neXline spunlace line for nonwovens production at its Medellin plant. The startup is scheduled to begin operations in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023. This will be the first spunlace line in South America, outside Brazil, and it will include the 130th TT card sold by Andritz.

The line will process viscose and polyester fibres to produce more than 10,000 tons of nonwoven roll-goods annually, Andritz said in a press release.

With the addition of its own roll-goods production line, Quimicolor will be able to control the quality of products over the entire supply chain and make production more efficient and flexible. On-site production of roll-goods will have the added benefit of avoiding the intercontinental shipments needed before and thus substantially reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Andritz has also helped Quimicolor secure financing for the project through a buyer's credit under the French export promotion scheme.

“This investment will allow us to take our business to the next level. It will enable us to better serve the growing Latin American market and open new business opportunities. Andritz has supported us in every single step of this challenging project that will make us pioneers in spunlace production in our region while continuing to offer hygiene and household products with an excellent quality-price ratio for all market segments,” said Antonio Mandìvil, CEO of Quimicolor.