Quimicolor, a Colombian company based in Guarne, Antioquia, has taken a significant step forward in the textile industry by opening the first and only high-speed plant in South America for the production of spunlace fabrics.
With an investment of 9 million euros, the company has positioned itself at the forefront of technological innovation, democratizing access to high-quality products at affordable prices for millions of people.
Since its founding in 2004, Quimicolor has been a key player in the production of personal care and household products for department stores and distributors in the region.
With more than 20 years of experience, the company has decided to take a bold step by acquiring the French-made Andritz machine, renowned for its cutting-edge technology in the manufacture of spunlace fabrics.
During the pandemic, the wet wipes sector faced enormous challenges due to its dependence on imported raw materials from Asia, which accounted for 90% of the nonwoven fabric supply.
The shortage and delay in the arrival of these inputs led Quimicolor to make a strategic decision: to invest in its own machinery to produce Spunlace fabrics, radically transforming its business model and gaining independence in the supply chain.
The Andritz is the best machine in its segment, used to manufacture Spunlace fabrics using cutting-edge technology. This places Quimicolor at the top of the innovation and development ladder in the manufacture of fabrics that are also used to make surgical gauze in clinics and hospitals—a highly specialized niche market that will boost competitiveness by improving the prices of these products in the healthcare sector.
A unique plant in the region
The new plant, which occupies 2,600 square meters, has the capacity to produce more than 10,000 tons of nonwoven fabric in rolls annually. Quimicolor becomes the only company in South America with the capacity to produce this type of fabric on the continent, thus opening up an important market that will impact the region's economy.
Until now, all of these fabrics had to be imported from Asia, which represents a significant cost savings for wet wipe manufacturers in the region and a competitive advantage for Quimicolor, as regional consumption amounts to 40,000 tons per year, thus providing an even more promising horizon for expanding its operations.
This not only covers the needs of Quimicolor and its associated factories, but also opens the door to the export of fabrics to South, Central, and North America.
On the other hand, IFMNOTICIAS had an exclusive interview with Antonio Mendivil, manager of Quimicolor, who highlighted the work they are also doing for the environment and the way they are carrying out a 100% friendly production. Fashion accessories
"All the equipment is European technology. It's a French team. So they care a lot about the environment in Europe. And what they did was develop a machine that is environmentally sustainable."
Another advantage the manager mentioned about the machine is the speed with which the process is completed, making them more competitive in the market.
"From the moment the fiber is removed to the end of the roll, we're talking about 15 minutes per roll. That's 350 kilos for every 15 minutes. We're talking about 1,550 tons in 22 hours that the machine can process," Mendivil emphasized.
This strategic move positions Quimicolor as the only company in Latin America capable of producing this type of fabric, which represents a significant competitive advantage in the regional market.
During the interview with IFMNOTICIAS, Mendivil also said that they want to position themselves in a specialized but accessible market for entrepreneurs. Fashion accessories
"The benefits of this new capacity are that it allows us to manufacture our own fabric in Colombia. It has allowed us to reduce costs by 35-40%, resulting in more affordable end products, such as wet wipes, which are now 30-35% more affordable on the market. (…) The fabric is transformed into wipes, whether for pets, babies, or makeup removers. And we have the North American and Central American markets to export to."
In addition to the economic benefits, the Quimicolor plant contributes significantly to sustainability by eliminating the need for intercontinental shipments of raw materials, thereby reducing the company's carbon footprint.
"Right now, we're using 25 and 30% of the machine's installed capacity. With the machine, we can manufacture the fabric to produce gauze. That's a specialized business. Right now, no factory in Colombia produces that material. And we have the machine to produce it. That's where we want to grow."
Mendivil
With projected sales growth of 25% for the second half of 2024 and a 30% increase in direct jobs, Quimicolor is preparing to continue expanding its operations. The plant is currently operating at 35% of its capacity, leaving ample room for growth, especially in the international market.
Mendivil also announced that the company is in the process of negotiating the acquisition of a second machine, twice as powerful, to increase its production capacity and continue to lead the Spunlace fabric market in the region.
Quimicolor's commitment to its employees and the country
Beyond its business success, Quimicolor is distinguished by its commitment to the well-being of its employees. Antonio Mendivil expressed his desire to see his employees in the best conditions, assuring them that the company offers benefits that go beyond what the state requires. "My dream is for my employees to feel this company is their own," he stated.
"All jobs are directly provided by the company. We don't hire temporary workers."
Which also means stability for those who have committed to the company.
This commitment also extends to supporting Colombian talent in sports, since the Mendivils believe that seeing a company grow is also the growth and development of the country, which is why they support the dreams of Colombian athletes such as Sebastián Montoya and Maximiliano Restrepo, who are part of Juan Pablo Montoya's team, Team Montoya, who compete in F3 and F4 and who Quimicolor supports as an official sponsor.
Sebastián Montoya, in an interview with IFMNOTICIAS, stated: "Having Quimicolor as a sponsor has been incredible; the support they've given us has been fundamental and has helped us a lot. They came to the race in Barcelona and were able to accompany me and experience the excitement." Additionally, Juan Pablo Montoya's son added that the company "has a love for sports, and that's what's needed here. Many Colombians love racing, so for them to act on that love for sports and support the athletes is incredible. We've built a very cool relationship."
On the other hand, Juan Pablo Montoya, considered one of the best athletes in the country, told IFMNOTICIAS that having Quimicolor's support has been fundamental for Team Montoya, noting that: "We need more people like them who believe in Colombia and in the athletes." Montoya also commented that the company's plant "is impressive" and indicated that "Quimicolor has a lot to do with motorsports: it's very much about innovation, speed; the number of products they make. It's really a lot of fun," he added.
This company has established itself as a pioneer in the Latin American textile industry, not only for its production capacity but also for its focus on sustainability and the well-being of its community.
With the opening of its new plant, the company not only seeks to strengthen its market position but also contribute to Colombia's economic and social development.
The vision of Antonio Mendivil and his team is clear: to continue innovating, expanding their business, and creating a positive impact in the country and beyond.
