2009 - Jaarverslag

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD > Advanced Textiles & CompositesThe European market for both safety and work clothing andprofessional wear came under pressure across the board during thereporting year. This had a negative impact on growth in production ofprotective fabrics in Thailand. There was a consequent decrease inrevenues as a result of the poor economic performance. TenCate firstfocused on cost control and streamlining of production. Attention wasalso devoted to logistics and the reduction of quality costs and thereject rate. After this improvement process, both the efficiency andquality of the product portfolio will rise. The strategy is focusedparticularly on growth in market share based on the high-qualityconcepts which have been developed. The new products and systemswere well received at the industrial European industrial trade fairs heldat the end of 2009. The commercial approach will be further developedin 2010. The Xennia technology can generate new impetus in the longterm.In view of the success of flame-retardant fabrics in neighbouringmarkets, TenCate Outdoor Fabrics adapted them for products for theoutdoor market. At the end of 2009, TenCate Outdoor Fabricsintroduced tent cloth fabric with inherent flame-retardantcharacteristics. As a result, it is resistant to scorching, annealing andsparking. There is interest in this product particularly in the marketfor group tents. In addition to scouting, international aid organisationsand tour operators are interested in TenCate Campshield cloth.TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTSXennia Technology (see description on page 51), in which TenCateacquired a majority interest in 2008, developed a machine for digitaltextile finishing in 2009. This provides an innovative means of efficientand high-quality finishing or printing of textiles. The project has beenrunning for a number of years, enabling technical bottlenecks to beovercome. The first trial products will be produced in the course of2010. On the one hand, this will enable new products to be producedwith new functionalities. On the other hand, substantial savings can bemade in water, energy and chemicals. This digital inkjet technologyprovides an important basis for future – sustainable – production.The European Commission considers this technology to be a veryvaluable development, having regard to its considerable environmentaladvantages. A subsidy was granted for this development in theframework of the European promotion of innovation.OUTLOOKHealthy growth is expected in the US defence market once again in2010. No rapid recovery is being assumed in the market for industrialapplications, in view of the economic developments. There isnevertheless some optimism in view of the good reception for newlydeveloped products.Good growth in protective fabrics is expected In Asia and SouthAmerica. These attractive markets are expected to develop further.TENCATE ARMOUR COMPOSITES ANDTENCATE SPACE & AEROSPACE COMPOSITESMARKET POSITION AND STRATEGYTenCate is one of the leading companies in the field of armourmaterials (armour composites) and space and aerospace composites.These can replace traditional materials such as steel and aluminiumand make a major contribution to weight saving and better functionalcharacteristics. The strategy is focused mainly on securing a leadingtechnological position, developing material science, knowledge ofproduction processes in the industrial chain and direct access to endmarketsand OEMs. Qualifications are of crucial importance in order tobe able to operate in future programmes in this market.36Royal Ten Cate