Biography and beginning of professional activity in the textile industry.
I was born in January 1364 in Tehran. The activities of our family holding began with the production of machine-made carpets, and then spinning. The need to reinvest in the collection was the main reason for me to enter into the field of fiber manufacturing and thus in 2013, “SHIVA DELIJAN INDUSTRIAL GROUP” was launched. Starting this year, this enterprise began to specifically produce hollow fibers and about 70-80% of this type of fiber is exported. Before the strengthening of international sanctions, we had a lot of exports to Europe; In addition, before the introduction of Turkey’s anti-dumping policy against Iran’s synthetic fibers, we had significant exports to that country, but currently halo fibers are exported to Russia, the Caspian Sea countries, the Persian Gulf countries and a small amount to Turkey. (We may be one of the few companies that still ships polyester fibers to this country, despite Turkey’s anti-dumping measures.)
As is known, halo fibers (intermediate) are sweeping the market for thermoalloys and new fillers and have very high reversibility, which has led to these fibers finding many applications in filling furniture, mattresses and pillows. fiber manufacturers There was very little ether in the country and the country faced a shortage of this product. The technology for producing halogen fiber was complex and special, but we were able to achieve technical knowledge through research and study.
Mention new projects of Shiva fibers, process of transfer of technical knowledge, procurement of equipment and its use.
We have already launched the production of bicomponent fibers for a year now. With heat-fused layers and fibers used for bonding and bonding, as well as bicomponent fibers, bicomponent fibers have a wide range of applications. Fortunately, we inform you that the quantitative and qualitative process of manufacturing this product with Shiva fibers has reached a level where we are seeing a reduction in the country’s import requirement. The next step that we took about 6-7 months ago for the first time in Iran and (almost) the world regarding bicomponent fibers is the production of bicomponent halo fibers (Biko). From zero to one hundred, the design of this product was carried out by the plant’s specialists, and about 6 months passed from idea to production of the product. Intermediate bicomponent fibers find particular use in thermal fuses, which have layers that replace sponge. Sponge will crumble and break over time, but layers that are produced vertically and have a high fiber density and are used instead of sponge have a longer lifespan and are more durable. there is durability. Fortunately, domestic and foreign markets have praised Byko fibers because the quality of the product is at the international level, and it has also been able to obtain a knowledge-based innovation certificate.
In terms of production lines, I think that in the field of synthetic fiber production, the era has passed when European machines were considered much better than Chinese ones. At present, dozens of Chinese machines have been installed and put into operation in the country’s synthetic fiber factories in all polyester fields, and the product quality of these machines is much better than that of European fibers, and they meet the needs of domestic and export production. markets in the best possible way. All the machines of the production lines of our collection have been purchased from reputable and top-notch Chinese companies after carefully studying the available technologies, because in my opinion, China is the father of bicomponent fibers in terms of technology, equipment and product quality in the world, not in European or European countries. even America.
Another very important project of ours, which by God’s hope will be completed by August 1403, and we are currently installing machines, transferring technical knowledge, equipping barns, etc.; Bi-component fibers are hygienic. This project is carried out in two completely separate and at the same time complementary parts: sanitary fibers and sanitary layers for diapers for children and adults and sanitary pads for women. With increasing sanctions, the country was facing many challenges in the provision of raw materials for diapers and sanitary napkins, and this was the impetus for Shiva Fibers’ research and development (R&D) unit to work in this area. After studying and researching, I came to the conclusion that the main raw materials for the production of the above products are polypropylene and polyethylene, which are abundant in our country, but the final product is produced by other countries, and we import it. Diapers and sanitary pads have a very important layer called ADL (Acuisition Distribution Layer) which is designed to improve the distribution of liquid in the sanitary products. The ADL layer has excellent hydrophilic properties and can increase the rate of absorption and distribution of liquid in diapers and sanitary napkins.
Since this layer has a very important and complex processing and the fibers used in it are special two-component, for this reason its manufacturers are limited in the world. By creating this layer, we will prevent significant amounts of currency from leaving the country, as all diapers and sanitary pads urgently need this special layer. There are problems in providing financial resources for the implementation of the mentioned project, which by the grace of God is being solved, and we are committed to its successful implementation with all our might, so that in addition to meeting the needs of the domestic market, we can also export.
A new generation of diaper layers and sanitary tapes is ATB (Air Through Bonding), which is bonded with hot air and requires two-component fibers that form a top layer of melting fibers and bonds as soon as they come into contact with hot air. There are no ATB machines in Iran to produce sanitary nonwoven fabrics, and the currently used layers for diapers and sanitary pads are mainly spunbond layers, the difference from ATB layers is that there are thermal bonding blocking points, so air and liquids do not penetrate into these points, so diapers and sanitary napkins made by this method have higher breathability and moisture absorption.
We have already imported the sanitary fiber machines and are installing them, the sanitary linen machines are also in the final stages of shipment which will be completed in the next few weeks.
In principle, does the country’s banking system accompany producers?
The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade is much more involved in the process than the bank. In any case, banks take into account their own interests while providing loans and incentives, and they are not even in the forefront in cooperating to implement the set plans and are having great difficulty paving the way for manufacturers, while investors and industrialists are not. they are waiting for bank help and growth, and they are doing their best to develop the production lines.
Have you informed health product manufacturers about your new projects? How was their reception?
Yes… we have negotiated with the diaper and sanitary pad factories which have been very well received and they are determined to enter into a contract to allocate them a significant portion of the factory’s production capacity while our goal of implementing the new project is to solve the problem of the need of domestic manufacturers of sanitary products for ADL layers, and at the Ministry of Hygiene we have promised to supply diapers and sanitary napkins at the lowest price.
Also refer to the transfer of technical knowledge and technology for the production of specialized layers. Were these goods also supplied from China or did you also do business with European countries?
Even America supplies bicomponent fiber machines from China, and it can no longer be said with certainty that the quality of Chinese products (both products and machines) is low. A significant volume of products related to bicomponent fibers is exported from China to Europe and America, which is a good indicator of the high quality of the above products. Although Chinese products are ranked by both quality, price and technology, they are experts in the design and production of bicomponent fiber equipment, and in almost no other country you will find such high volume sales of industrial devices.
What do you think is Iran’s position in the non-woven textile industry?
We are very behind in this sector. For example, I am proud to tell you about the production of ATB layers, but for many years China, America and Europe have been using this technology in the production of diapers and sanitary pads, and it is not considered a new technology in the world. world! Unfortunately, the transfer of technical knowledge to our country is carried out with a great delay.
I would like to note that in order to protect the environment, diapers and sanitary pads known as Fluffless are produced in the world, in which, instead of cellulose pulp, an ATB layer is used, impregnated with moisture-absorbent powder (SAP) Superabsorbent polymer, which absorbs moisture and prevents its leakage at high levels; The technology available in our country for the production of diapers and sanitary pads is a mixture of cellulose fibers and SAP powder, which is almost obsolete in the world. Inshallah, the next project that will be on our agenda soon is the layers that can be used to make recyclable Fluffleless diapers. The main goal of Shiva Bicomponent Fiber is innovation in the production of bicomponent fibers and is always thinking about further growth and development. It’s good to know that bicomponent fibers produced by Shiva Delijan and another good enterprise in our country not only have no analogues in the country, but are also unique in the region. Türkiye, considered the cradle of textile exports to Europe, also does not produce such fibers.
Some manufacturers may be reluctant to take advantage of new technologies and provide the same product they have been offering for years, without any changes or updates to the next chain…
Yes… but the younger generations of factory owners are bolder and bolder than the previous generation. The younger private sector managers are, the more risk averse they are in investment and production. Creative ideas fill the minds of young managers, but apart from discussing the courage of investing, the lack of economic stability in the country is a serious obstacle to the implementation of ideas; For this reason, the private sector moves less towards high-risk investments, and on the other hand, the investor does not receive much protection, and, unfortunately, due to limited resources, there is no way to count on the bank and the government. . I think that if the country’s doors are opened and the private sector is allowed to grow and move, there will be a world of ideas and creativity that needs the support of the right trustees to bring them to fruition.
It is said that “Iran has achieved self-sufficiency in the production of synthetic fibers.” Do you accept this article?
Yes. We are completely self-sufficient in the field of conventional polyester fibers and importing this product is not cost-effective in terms of quality and economics. Even the export of these products constitutes a significant portion of the total exports of the textile industry.
So, in your opinion, the market has reached saturation and there is no need to create new companies? Because over time we have seen the construction of synthetic fiber production facilities one after another. The same thing that happened several decades ago in the machine-made carpet industry…
There is no need to set up new fiber mills with fields similar to the current production in the country, at least for now; Moreover, many fiber manufacturing plants today are no longer in business or offer products that competitors have in abundance in the market, and profit margins are reduced to a minimum. We hope that with the opening of export routes we will witness full utilization of all good domestic units.
What problems do you face in the export sector?
Regardless of international sanctions, this is a detailed topic; We face many obstacles within the country. A few years ago, the exporter was supported, but today it has reached the point where we feel like currency smugglers every minute. That is, no matter what tricks we try to solve the foreign exchange obligation and return foreign currency from exports to the country and be able to compete with foreign manufacturers, there is a fear that we will be accused or punished as offenders. We (fiber producers) believe that foreign exchange obligations should be resolved, but the current mechanism is completely ineffective and ineffective.
Do you recommend working in the textile industry for beginners?
Definitely yes… The textile industry is one of the most important and profitable industries in the world. In areas such as textiles, garments, spinning, printing, dyeing, etc., many innovative and creative works can be produced that can compete at the global level. Our country has bold and innovative young forces, capable structures and significant technical knowledge that should be put to the best use.