Following the successful commissioning by the Andritz team, Quimicolor has inaugurated its spunlace factory in Guarne, Colombia.

The first of its kind in the region, this state-of-the-art facility represents a major advancement in Quimicolor’s capabilities and commitment to innovation and sustainability.

With the equipment from Andritz, Quimicolor has now integrated nonwoven roll production into its existing converting facilities. Covering 2,600 square meters, the new nonwoven factory is the culmination of a project that was initiated during the pandemic to address supply chain challenges, with the financing support of the French public investment bank Bpifrance, the company said in a press release.

Capable of processing both synthetic and natural fibres, the spunlace line delivered by Andritz is the first ever installed in South America outside Brazil. The line features a high-speed TT card, which makes it the most productive installation on the continent with a capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year.

This Andritz-supported project showcases Quimicolor’s successful vertical integration as a renowned converter. Additionally, it marks a significant step towards a robust sustainable development initiative by cutting down on imports of nonwoven rolls from Asia.

“This investment allows us to actively participate in the local reindustrialisation efforts and to promote job creation locally. Producing our own rolls also drastically reduces our carbon footprint by avoiding all the inconveniences related to international transport,” Antonio Mendivil, CEO of Quimicolor, said.

Based in the Medellín area, Quimicolor has been producing hygiene, skincare and household products for the Latin American market for almost two decades.