Egypt’s long-staple spinning industry is attracting growing interest, with new inquiries, projects and mill investments emerging particularly in the wool segment, according to Wilan Hamraoui, Area Sales Manager at NSC Schlumberger.
Speaking with Kohan Textile Journal during Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026 in Cairo, Hamraoui presented the group’s four machinery brands and discussed the outlook for wool and acrylic processing, as well as NSC Schlumberger’s expanded cooperation with ATAG in Egypt.
Wilan Hamraoui on Long-Staple Spinning Technologies.
Could you introduce NSC Schlumberger and its machinery portfolio?
NSC Schlumberger operates through four brands: Schlumberger, Sant’Andrea, Seydel and Cognetex.
We manufacture machinery for long-staple spinning preparation, covering processes from carding and fibre preparation through to ring spinning.
Our technologies are primarily designed for processing long-staple fibres such as wool, acrylic and polyester. We also provide solutions for natural fibres including jute, flax and hemp.
Through our four brands, we can supply complete machinery lines for spinning preparation and ring spinning in these fibre segments.
What are the advantages of offering technologies through four specialised brands?
Each brand contributes technologies and experience in different areas of long-staple fibre processing.
Together, they allow NSC Schlumberger to cover the various preparation stages required before spinning, as well as the ring-spinning process itself.
This broad portfolio enables us to work with customers processing different raw materials and to discuss complete production configurations according to their fibre, yarn and capacity requirements.
How do you assess Egypt’s textile market?
The Egyptian textile market has been developing for several years. We are receiving more inquiries and seeing an increasing number of projects, particularly in wool processing.
Some customers are considering or preparing to open new mills in Egypt. This indicates that the market is not limited to modernising existing production capacity; it is also attracting new textile investments.
Based on the projects and inquiries we are currently seeing, we believe Egypt could become a strong market for long-staple spinning machinery in the coming years.
Wool Projects Continue While Acrylic Faces Pressure
How is the weaker global wool market affecting your business?
The wool market is not currently experiencing strong overall growth. Nevertheless, we continue to receive inquiries and identify investment opportunities.
Production capacity still needs to be maintained, modernised or expanded in certain markets. Egypt is one example where we are seeing interest in new wool-spinning mills, production plants and machinery projects.
We therefore remain positive about the long-term future of wool. We believe that continued investment in technology can help customers improve their production and respond to changing market conditions.
Is the situation different in acrylic spinning?
Yes. The acrylic segment is facing greater pressure, and we are seeing fewer opportunities in this market.
Many acrylic-processing customers are struggling with difficult business conditions. As a machinery supplier, we need to understand those challenges and determine how technology can support them.
We are therefore examining both technical and cost-oriented solutions that could help acrylic manufacturers improve their competitiveness and continue operating under difficult market conditions.
What solutions are customers currently looking for?
Customers need solutions that correspond to their specific raw materials, production requirements and investment capabilities.
In a challenging market, the answer is not necessarily limited to installing additional capacity. Manufacturers may also need technologies that improve existing processes, control production costs or allow them to respond more effectively to market demand.
Our role is to work with customers and identify suitable technical and commercial approaches, particularly in segments such as acrylic where market pressure is especially strong.
Read More: Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026: What the Exhibition Revealed About the Future of Egypt’s Textile Industry
NSC Schlumberger Expands Cooperation with ATAG
How would you describe NSC Schlumberger’s relationship with ATAG?
NSC Schlumberger has four brands, and two of them had already been working with ATAG in Egypt for several years.
We have now extended the relationship by bringing the remaining two brands into the cooperation. This gives ATAG the ability to support our broader machinery portfolio in the Egyptian market.
We are very pleased with the partnership. ATAG provides significant market support, and we believe the expanded cooperation has a strong future as Egypt’s textile industry continues to develop.
Editor’s Note
This interview was conducted by Kohan Textile Journal during Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026 in Cairo. It presents a mixed outlook for long-staple spinning: new wool-processing projects are creating opportunities in Egypt, while acrylic manufacturers face greater market pressure and require more technically and economically focused solutions.
