Founded in 1835 in Switzerland as a textile finisher, and pioneering advancements in synthetic fibres and textile machinery, innovation has been the driving force behind everything Gurit does. They expanded into rubber and synthetic foam in 1929, making all sorts of goods from raincoats to vinyl flooring. However, it was their partnership with Essex/Dow in the automotive sector and their move into medical and healthcare from the 1960s that helped propel the non-textile side of the business. Through strategic acquisitions in aerospace, marine, wind energy and other high performance sectors, they sharpened their focus in the early 2000s and quickly became a global leader in advanced composites. In 2025, Gurit continues to drive innovation, enhancing efficiency and sustainability, making a difference and reimagining what’s possible in many market sectors.
Their Journey from Textiles to Advanced Composites
The Gurit story begins in 1835, when Georg Philipp Heberlein founds a small textile finishing business in Wattwil, Switzerland. From the very beginning, innovation was at the heart of the business. What was originally a craft business grew into an industrial operation, starting with the use of synthetic dyes, then a garment dyeing plant in 1897, followed by a printing plant in 1916. Over the years, generations of the Heberlein family pioneered advancements in synthetic fibres and textile machinery, establishing a strong reputation in a burgeoning industry in Eastern Switzerland.
In 1929, the company expanded into rubber and synthetic foam manufacturing with the creation of Gurit, a Heberlein-owned company, in Richterswil, Switzerland. Gurit was named after “Gummiwerk Richterswil” (Richterswil rubber factory). This new company laid the foundation for what would become a significant transformation for the business.
The textile and plastics divisions developed independently through the mid-1960s, both driven however by materials innovation.
After WW2, as natural fibres were in short supply, demand for artificial alternatives surged. Heberlein modernised and expanded its dyeing facilities, but it was the invention and patenting of Helanca, a method for adding stretch to synthetic fibres, that fuelled major growth. By the late 1960s, the Wattwil plant employed over 2,500 people. However, a global synthetic fibre crisis in the 1970s led to the collapse of the textile division. Major restructuring followed, with the Helanca brand eventually sold to Saurer and the textile business gradually wound down. Gurit, the plastics division, had a slow start in the 1930s, but flourished after WW2. By 1960, it employed some 700 people, producing plastic goods of all kinds, from raincoats to vinyl flooring.
In the mid 60s, the Gurit Essex division was added (a joint venture between Gurit and Essex Chemical), followed by the acquisition of Coltane (specialising in dental products), the founding of affiliate sealant manufacturer Hebex, plus the acquisitions of the Ariva textile group and the film manufacturer, Worbla. By the early 1970s Gurit had outgrown its current facility in Richterswil and relocated to Freienback.
In 1984, following the growth of the Gurit division and its promising future, the unusual step was taken to create the company Gurit-Heberlein, with the subsidiary becoming the parent company, paving the way for new investment and a new path to success.
In partnership with Essex Chemical, Gurit helped transform the automotive industry and became the largest European supplier of automotive adhesives, sealants and body engineered systems for the automotive OEM and aftermarket. As the global car market evolved, Gurit sold its stake to Dow Chemical in 2000. This allowed them to focus on health care and composite materials. The cash injection enabled the well-executed closure of the struggling textiles business, with a further 13 years needed to complete the thorough demolition, clean up and sale of the land.
The 2000s marked a period of strategic growth. Gurit acquired materials manufacturers specialising in aerospace, marine, wind energy, and other high-performance sectors, bringing depth of expertise and breadth of experience in materials such as prepregs, epoxies, core materials, engineering services, tooling, and kitting. These acquisitions strengthened the company’s position as a global leader in performance materials. In 2006, Gurit listed the health care division, Medisize, as an independent company on the SIX Swiss Exchange, with Gurit Holding AG’s sole focus now advanced composite materials.
In 2024, Gurit sharpened its focus, responding to challenging market conditions by rightsizing its business and divesting selected product lines.
Today, as they celebrate nearly two decades of performance materials, they continue to push the boundaries of innovation in advanced composites. Committed to sustainability and forward-thinking solutions, they partner with their clients in the wind, marine, transportation, construction and other sectors to shape a smarter, more sustainable future.
