Richard Barker-Poole
Group Sales & Marketing Director International Fibres Group
Further expansion into area of bio polymer & recycled polymer fibre solutions
International Fibres Group provides the best quality fibres to a diverse range of industries. In a chat with Shilpi Panjabi,RichardBarker-Poole, Group Sales & Marketing Director, International Fibres Group, speaks about the big turnaround the company is witnessing in the area of bio polymers, the emerging trends of the fibre market and the company’s expansion plans for the future.
How was International Fibres Group incorporated? How many employees do you have till date?
International Fibres Group was incorporated in 2011 and we have 375 employees.
Where do you have your global footprints?
International Fibres Group services a worldwide market. The company provides the best quality fibres to a diverse range of industries across Europe, the Americas, Oceania and parts of Asia.
What are your core strengths as a fibre manufacturer?
With a focus on researching new products and technologies, the company’s core strengths are embedded in service, product sustainability, continuously improving product performance characteristics with an eye on future technologies.
Which were the turnaround years of the company? What are the innovations that changed your fortunes?
We are currently going though a big turnaround in the area of bio polymers. IFG has dedicated years of research and innovation into making its product offerings more sustainable and is continuing to develop a number of bio-based (and recycled) fibre solutions for a variety of increasing applications including apparel.
Can you name the key global markets and potential emerging markets in which the company performed well during 2020?
2020 was a particularly challenging year for everyone. However, IFG managed to do well in its key markets in Europe and the US. In addition to this, South America and parts of Asia are emerging as key future markets to our business.
Which of your products among biopolymers, recycled fibres, PP staple fibres etc has the largest market share?
Currently, our biggest market share is still PP staple fibres. However, with the introduction of bio-based fibres, and fibres made from recycled PP and PA polymers, we are starting to see the trend of moving towards these more sustainable solutions.
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
