United States-based nonwovens producer Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) reports it will invest in new
operations in China and South America.
Plans include the addition of a state-of-the-art, custom spunmelt machine and pilot line at
its Suzhou, China, facility; a greenfield installation in Southern China with multi-line expansion
capability; a greenfield facility in Central Brazil; and the addition of a third spunmelt line at
its facility in Cali, Colombia.
The addition in Suzhou is expected to be operational mid-2012, and the Southern China
development will be installed by late 2012. Site selection is currently underway in Central Brazil,
with the new facility there expected to be ready by early 2013. Materials produced at the
facilities will be used in such applications as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and
medical gowns and drapes.
“PGI has a proven competency expanding in the developing markets, as demonstrated by is
successful establishment of new manufacturing facilities in Suzhou, China, and Cali, Colombia, in
recent years,” said Veronica “Ronee” Hagen, CEO, PGI. “We are excited about the prospect of
building our presence in the Brazilian market and Southern China to position ourselves to
capitalize on local opportunities in these regions. This expansion in product capability and
capacity is part of PGI’s ongoing strategy to provide superior solutions to the marketplace and
meet our customers’ needs for higher-performing products that offer an optimum combination of
barrier and comfort with improved performance attributes.”
April/May/June 2011