Talking Heads is a brand new Knittingindustry.com column, which features exclusive interviews with the industry’s movers and shakers. In this Talking Heads we interview Marino Garosi, President and co-founder of Fulgar, an international leader in the synthetic fibre market.

KI: How was 2014 in terms of turnover, and what predictions can you make?

MG: Fulgar ended 2014 with an overall turnover of 235 million euro and increasingly favourable results. Circular knits showed the largest rise, at around 16%. Despite volatile prices, in 2015 the group's results showed further consolidation and stability.

KI: What are your best-selling products and your main market?

MG: There is no single best selling product in our offer. Our range covers a series of quality eco-sustainable products with a high innovative content sold in all textile sectors. Among these, the new Pulsar and Space 3.0 melange pattern yarns have enjoyed great success in sports clothing applications. Italy, with its Made in Italy values and skills, is still Fulgar's most important market.

KI: Can you describe your short-term objectives in terms of products and services?

MG: The company's objective is to create unique yarns that combine high performance and environmental sustainability, as well as offering distinctive properties and production methods. This is the thinking behind the Q-Nova project, which takes its name from a fibre produced through the exclusive use of recycled raw materials that can fulfil specific demands for traceability. Q-Nova is used in a number of areas, from lingerie and hosiery to outerwear and sportswear. Fulgar's future also involves hi-tech yet perfectly eco-sustainable fibres. 

KI: What are the current market trends, and what effect are they having on your business?

MG: Market trends are shaped by end consumers, and they are becoming increasingly product-aware. This key factor has led to a rise in the quality standards required from the entire supply chain. This is where Fulgar has decided to target its investment, offering products that reflect demand from end consumers, based on information shared with the entire supply chain. Nowadays a product's looks and functionality are both crucial factors for consumers.

KI: Do you have anything interesting you want to share with those involved in this sector?

MG: Yes, our corporate philosophy, which involves all our staff. This philosophy is orientated towards constant innovation, and this is expressed through the constant research that shapes our products - in terms of planning, product structure design, and constant research into total comfort and versatility in use. The same thinking applies to the partnerships we have created.

Leader in synthetic fibre

Fulgar is an international leader in the synthetic fibre market in the production and distribution of polyamide 6.6 and covered elastomers in the textile and technical sector. Founded in 1970 and located in Castel Goffredo, in the Hosiery district, the company has grown from a supplier of local companies in the early 80s to implementer of the most versatile products with its own brands at the end of the 90s, until the last phase started in 2000, with the internationalization and the opening of new facilities.

Today, Fulgar has 840 employees worldwide and EUR 235 million in consolidated revenues. The yarns produced by Fulgar are used for various textile applications, from circular knitting and hosiery, to sport. Over the past five years, the company’s investment in R&D has exceeded EUR 80 million.

Since 2009 Fulgar has also been the exclusive European and Turkish distributor for the Invista Group's Lycra and Elaspam fibres. In 2012 its agreement with the Rhodia Solvay Group saw Fulgar become exclusive producer and distributor of Emana fibre for Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Sustainability is one of the foundations of social responsibility policy of Fulgar, starting from the motto A better Way to the Future, a synthesis of environmental conscious behaviour, aimed at the preservation and improvement of the ecosystem world.

Fulgar is present in all textile sectors, from hosiery to circular knits, corsetry, swimming and sport, with high-quality products Made in Italy. The versatility of its products is the result of Fulgar's design, development and manufacturing structure.

Further reading

This interview also appears on our Innovation in Textiles website:

Interview with Marino Garosi, President and co-founder of Fulgar

Fulgar presents SPACE 3.0 for fashion and sportswear

Fulgar offers intelligent solutions for the textile industry

Giovanni Gastel develops campaign image for Fulgar

www.fulgar.com