Germany’s TWE Group has purchased a 90% stake in Isowood, a highly specialized nonwovens manufacturer using natural fibers such as hemp, flax, kenaf or jute in conjunction with plastics. Its main output is semi-finished, highly malleable carrier materials  for the automotives industry.

Executives said Isowood’s experience with natural fibers makes Isowood a perfect member of the TWE Group allowing the company, which already has strong ties to automotives, to expand into new markets.

Mag. Nikolaus Ernest, managing director of Isowood, will retain a 10% stake in the company.

Founded in 1997 in Rudolstadt, Germany, Isowood is a leading Tier-2 manufacturer in the automotives segment. Although it is comparably small, it is well known for its outstanding innovation power and exceptional project development competence.

The TWE Group has made several acquisitions in recent years, the most recent being Vita Nonwovens in the U.S., which includes manufacturing sites in North Carolina, Indiana and Texas. At the time of the purchase executives said that the automotives market is Vita Nonwovens’ core business.