Ivan Juřena: We Are the Only Manufacturer of Coated Fabrics in the Czech Republic

Mr. Juřena, could you introduce the Chropyně plant and your production programme?

We specialise in the production of synthetic leathers based on PVC, PAK, and PUR, as well as the coating of textiles such as polyester, polyamide, and cotton. Our portfolio includes approximately 150 product types with weights ranging from 50 to 6,800 g/m² and widths from 94 to 200 cm. Our products are used in upholstery, healthcare, automotive and construction industries, as well as in haberdashery and footwear manufacturing.

Your plant is the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic. What does your competition look like in Europe? Who are your main customers?

That is correct – we are the only artificial leather manufacturer in the Czech Republic. Across Europe, competition is more concentrated: for example, there are six plants in Poland, four in Germany and Italy, and two in Belgium. Turkey is also a strong competitor with six production plants, and additional facilities are located in Eastern Europe. We currently export our artificial leathers to 14 European countries.

What are the main factors influencing your production today?

At present, we face several challenges, mainly rising energy costs, increasing prices of raw materials, and a shortage of qualified employees. Approximately 95% of our raw materials are imported, primarily from within Europe, where prices remain volatile. Environmental legislation and the unstable global geopolitical situation also represent significant challenges. All of these factors have a substantial impact on our operations.

Which market segments are most important for you, and where do you plan to expand?

In terms of volume, the apparel and mining industries are very important for us, and we also supply artificial leather for upholstery. From a value-added perspective, however, the healthcare segment and medical artificial leathers are key. In the future, we would like to expand mainly in the area of technical products and increase our share in traditional markets.

Could you describe your production process? Are you planning any technological innovations?

The production technology is clearly defined by the equipment we operate. SVITAP runs a closed production cycle – from the manufacture of semi-finished products using direct and reverse coating, through to final finishing processes such as lacquering, printing, and embossing.

How are customer requirements changing, and how do you respond to them?

Customer requirements are constantly evolving, particularly in terms of design and material properties. Design is influenced by embossing and printing rollers as well as embossing papers, but generally, printed materials are becoming less popular. Today, solid-colour materials with a matte finish are more in demand.

Regarding performance properties, customers increasingly require improved resistance to chemicals, abrasion and wear, electrical conductivity, reduced flammability, breathability, and, of course, longer service life even under extreme conditions. That is why we continuously innovate our technologies and materials.

Our innovations are implemented exclusively within the production process itself – for example by changing the textile substrate, embossing pattern, colour, coating polymer, incorporating additives, or adjusting production speed and temperature regimes. Developing entirely new products from scratch or launching completely new materials is not feasible under our current conditions.

SVITAP has a long tradition in artificial leather production. How do you maintain consistent quality?

We maintain an active and fully functional quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001. We purchase only high-quality input materials from verified suppliers. All raw materials are tested in SVITAP’s internal laboratory, and we also verify the correctness of the proposed production technologies.

When quality issues occur, approximately 85% of them are caused by the human factor. Therefore, we place strong emphasis on continuous employee training and strict adherence to defined production procedures.

How do you minimise the environmental impact of your production?

Emissions generated during production are incinerated in furnaces connected directly to individual production lines, which significantly reduces the amount of harmful substances released into the atmosphere. We also strive to minimise the use of raw materials with negative health impacts and strictly comply with demanding technological and environmental standards.

How do you view competition from natural leather and ecological alternatives?

Each of these materials has its advantages and disadvantages and is influenced by fashion trends as well as various pressures – price-related, commercial, political, and regional. Natural leather requires careful maintenance but is very durable. Artificial leather, which we produce, offers a wider range of colours and surface designs, although its life cycle is generally shorter. Price naturally plays a role in perceived quality as well.

As for new ecological materials such as vegan leather, they certainly have their place on the market, but their success depends largely on customer demand and current fashion trends.

Do you plan to expand production in the future?

Yes, in the future we would like to move towards a three-shift operation, especially on the Renapa production line, which is the heart of our plant. We also see great potential in technical products used across various industrial sectors. Additional European markets are another attractive opportunity for us. Entering new markets requires patience, strong local knowledge, and well-established relationships.