history

Norafin looks back at a long and successful history. At the beginning of the 1980s, the company developed the first line of spunlace products in Europe in conjunction with the research institute for the textile industry, today's STFI. This was a milestone not only for Norafin in its corporate development, but also pioneering for the entire industry. Because of the structural quality of the line as well as the company's own expertise, Norafin soon focused on the development of technical nonwovens and special applications.

Today, the company is known for its customer-oriented product solutions in the field of process air and liquid filtration as well as for its nonwoven product concepts for the protective clothing, medical and construction industries. Norafin applies its own spunlace and needlepunch technology to create its customized materials.

2007
The STA Group is fully separated from Jacob Holm. The name of the holding changes from Jacob Holm & Sons STA to Vernal. Vernal stays for 'springtime' representing a fresh, innovative and growing organization.

2006
Expansion of the Jacob Holm Group by the acquisition of Tytex, a leading producer of advanced textiles in the healthcare market and by the spin-off of Norafin. As sister companies, Tytex and Norafin belong to the newly established STA Group.

2000
Integration of Norafin into the Jacob Holm Group; further development of the technical and speciality applications business unit.

1995 & 1998
Erection of Norafin's new spunlace and needlepunch facility in Mildenau, Germany.

1985
Start of operation in Wiesenbad (near Chemnitz), Germany, to produce compresses as well as technical nonwovens for the synthetic leather and electrical industries.

1980
Development of the first spunlace line in Europe in cooperation with the Saxon research institute for textile industry