RadiciGroup, an Italian multinational engaged in chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers, has acquired the German company dorix GmbH, formerly Selbitzer Chemiefaser GmbH (founded in 1896 under the name of Heinrich Reinhold GmbH & CO KG). Located in Selbitz – Hochfranken, Bavaria, dorix GmbH is a European leader in the production of PA6 (dorix) and PP (reilen) staple products and has annual sales of about EUR 10 million.

The move will enable RadiciGroup - which is already engaged in the production of raw and solution-dyed PA6 staple products sold under the Radilon staple fiber brand name - to expand its product range and strengthen its market position, according to the company. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“With this acquisition we wanted to broaden our product offering in the textile floor covering market and others,” said Oscar Novali, managing director of the Fashion&Interiors Business Unit (encompassing Radici Yarn SpA). “Our Italian site in Villa d’Ogna and the German facility complement one another. Most importantly we will have a greater variety of counts. In addition to the fine counts we already manufacture at Radici Yarn, now we will be able to provide high counts up to 300 dtex.

“We will also have greater flexibility, which is a key asset for the production of both the raw and solution-dyed versions of our products,” he continued. “Moreover, dorix GmbH’s extensive experience in custom colour formulation will allow us to meet any special requirements of our customers. Another important asset that this company brings to our Group is the brand name dorix, which stands for quality and tradition. The historical aura and popularity of this brand - which we intend to preserve and make even more well-known - is truly a strong point.”

“The dorix GmbH acquisition was an important transaction in our continued effort to strengthen our Group’s polyamide vertical integration, as well as to boost our presence in the floor covering sector,” noted Maurizio Radici, RadiciGroup Board vice chairman and coo. “With this objective in mind, last year we decided to invest about EUR 10 million in order to expand the production capabilities of our Radici Fil SpA plant in Italy, specializing in the manufacture of Radifloor PA 6 and PA66 BCF yarn. The latter items complement the staple products made by Radici Yarn and dorix GmbH, in that they are ideal solutions not only for the contract sector but also for the residential and automotive markets.

“Furthermore,” he added, “as a Group we also supply the floor covering market with Radigreen polyolefin and polyamide yarn for synthetic turf. The Landscape Classic, Landscape Excellence and My Radigreen versions of this product are ideal for both residential and commercial applications. Above and beyond this wide range of specialized products, the Group can also count on another major asset: our fully vertically integrated polyamide 66 production chain.”