DuPont and Jacob Holm have signed a definitive agreement for Jacob Holm to acquire DuPont Protection Technologies’ Sontara business. The sale is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2014.

Sontara is a global nonwovens business that produces products used in a variety of medical and wipes applications. Jacob Holm is a leading company for spunlaced nonwoven fabrics. 

“We are grateful to the current and past employees of Sontara for their contribution to DuPont over the last 40 years and we are pleased to see the business well-positioned for success in the future as part of Jacob Holm, a world-class organization dedicated to the nonwovens industry,” says Marc Doyle, president, DuPont Protection Technologies.

“The combination of Jacob Holm and Sontara complements two strong players and creates a new industry innovation leader for spunlaced nonwoven fabrics. The broader range of technology know-how results in higher innovation capabilities in product development and offers promising business opportunities to the benefit of our customers and our employees. We very much look forward to working with our new colleagues and partners who will undoubtedly contribute to the successful development of our group,” says Martin Mikkelsen, CEO of the Jacob Holm Group.

At closing, Jacob Holm will acquire Sontara assets at DuPont sites in Asturias, Spain; Old Hickory, TN, U.S.; and approximately 240 employees worldwide, primarily in Spain and the U.S.