Bast Fibre Technologies (BFT), a manufacturer of specialty natural fibers for the global nonwoven industry, announces the acquisition of Faser Veredlung Tönisvorst (FVT), an ISO 9001 certified textile processing facility located in Tönisvorst, Germany. This purchase enables BFT to immediately increase capacity to meet customer demand for its sustainable bast fibers and provides a firm platform for expansion and continued growth.

With over 20 years of fiber processing experience, FVT is located within close proximity to major European centers for bast crop cultivation and nonwoven fabric construction. This transaction follows BFT’s strategy of establishing low carbon, regional supply chains by sourcing, producing, and selling within specific regions. The facility is currently being expanded with the installation of specialty refining equipment specifically designed to optimize natural bast fibers for use in a variety of nonwoven applications.

“We are excited to have FVT as a part of our company,” says BFT president Jim Posa. “FVT has a long history of working with natural fibers and this acquisition has accelerated our transition towards becoming a fully integrated manufacturing company. FVT has consistently produced the highest quality bast fibres for BFT, so it was a logical step to bring this capability in house. Europe is leading the way on single-use plastic reduction strategies and the ability to produce these fibers in Europe will become increasingly important for the production of truly sustainable nonwovens in wipes, hygiene products and more.”

The Tönisvorst operation is positioned in the heart of the EU nonwoven belt in an historic textile complex established over 140 years ago. With a rich history of textile processing, this campus has been renewed and modernized in recent years and now hosts a mix of manufacturing and service-based industries. In the coming months the facility will be upgraded to optimize the production of cost effective, high performance natural bast fibers for customers looking to accelerate their sustainability goals with BFT’s tree-free, plastic-free alternatives. The facility is also ideally equipped for rapid prototyping and product development of novel fiber modifications to develop natural fiber solutions that meet customers’ specific requirements.

“We are very pleased to be joining the BFT team of companies,” announces managing director and former owner Thomas Krah. “At the core of both our businesses are the shared values of environmental protection and quality. We are strong advocates for natural hemp and linen fibers and we value the opportunity to strengthen these offerings. BFT is an industry leader in the production of these fibers for the high-end nonwoven marketplace and we look forward to playing an important role in the industry’s growing transition away from plastic fiber.”