Polymer Group, Inc. Announces New State-Of-The-Art Spunmelt Line To Be Installed In Mooresville, North Carolina

North Charleston, SC - Polymer Group, Inc. announced it will install a new spunmelt line at its Mooresville, North Carolina facility to meet customer demand for its products in North America, giving PGI the leading hygiene market share in this region.

The company will install a Reifenhauser Reico IV spunmelt line targeted primarily at serving the hygiene and industrial markets of North America. The company expects construction to begin at the existing site by the end of April 2005 and commercial production is planned for the second quarter of 2006.

This new line will provide customers with high-quality fine denier materials that are softer and lighter than products available from conventional technology and have improved barrier qualities. Additionally, the line will be capable of proprietary processes and will offer advanced treating systems. The addition of this line gives PGI's North American operation the ability to produce material that will satisfy the highest hygiene standards in the industry.

PGI's chief executive officer, James L. Schaeffer, stated, "We are implementing plans to grow in every major region of the world. Our strategy to expand in key markets includes both developing and mature regions as opportunities present themselves. The addition of this line, combined with previously announced expansions in Latin America and Asia, are key initiatives to execute on our global growth strategy and maintain market leadership."

Mike Hale, PGI's group vice president for North American nonwovens, added, "PGI has been successful building strong relationships with strategic customers. As our customers grow, we want to make sure we are growing with them and aligning our capabilities with their needs. This line will allow us to provide customers with the highest quality material available in the market."

Polymer Group, Inc., one of the world's leading producers of nonwovens, is a global, technology-driven developer, producer and marketer of engineered materials. With the broadest range of process technologies in the nonwovens industry, PGI is a global supplier to leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers. The company operates 21 manufacturing facilities throughout the world.

Source: Polymer Group, Inc.