On the basis of its first-rate expertise in polyurethane foam, in terms of both material and production processes, and its vast experience in comfort marketing and technology, Recticel today is a cohesive Group with four business lines (Flexible Foams, Bedding, Insulation and Automotive).

The Recticel Group has for many years played a prominent role in each of its business lines. Recticel has managed to secure this position through a well-thought-out combination of internal growth, acquisitions and technological innovations. Within the outlines of its mission, Group values and vision, Recticel has traced out an overall Group strategy for the company to achieve coherently and consistently.

The Group strategy is based on the balanced integration of the following pillars:

  • striving for and managing volumes of production and sales
  • safeguarding and expanding market positions, retaining sufficient profitability by applying an vigorous brand policy
  • striving to maintain and broaden technical and technological expertise via research, development and innovation

Heedful of this Group strategy, Recticel considers it can excel on the basis of the following strengths:

  • its significant presence in Central and Eastern Europe, which has been built up since 1990, both for the production of goods at low wage cost and to respond to strongly growing local consumer needs
  • its adapted industrial network throughout ‘old’ Europe, allowing advantage to be taken flexibly of all new market trends and opportunities
  • its extensive and competent research centre, which focuses on new PUR applications and the technology necessary for them

The Flexible Foams business line and Proseat (Automotive – seat cushions) will further optimise their activities in Central and Eastern Europe and keep a close lookout for new opportunities for expansion. In addition, within the Flexible Foams business line, the development of new foam types and applications is gaining ground through the ongoing efforts for creativeness and innovation.

The Bedding business line already opted resolutely in favour of a targeted brand strategy a couple of years ago in order to safeguard future growth in sales and to avoid price erosion. The required resources to support today’s unique, diversified brand portfolio will vouch for this.

Environmental and energy issues are receiving a great deal of attention, with ever stricter insulation and energy standards and growing social awareness. This offers distinct growth potential for the Insulation business line and the necessary investment resources will be made available here too.

In recent years, the Group has devoted a significant proportion of its available resources within the Automotive business line to the further development of its unique, patented Colofast Spray® technology for the interior trim of cars; this is in order to be able to meet the demand of a large number of major car manufacturers. This has led to the Group’s industrial network today consisting of 12 plants, 8 of which are in Europe, 2 in the United States and 2 in Asia. This expanded production network, combined with Recticel’s technological, industrial and market expertise, ensures that the Group has sufficient means of production available to take advantage of the future market opportunities within this business line and to continue the further development and application of this technology. This does not alter the fact that Recticel is open to cooperation in all forms with third parties.

Accordingly, the Group forecasts that in the future it will need to invest significantly less in its Interiors Solutions division. This allows priority to be given to the further development of the other business lines in the years to come.

This unique combination of related activities in a whole range of different markets, with a variety of products, applications and technologies, all based on polyurethane, makes Recticel a unique, balanced and valuable whole.