Finland-based fiber-based materials manufacturer Ahlstrom Corp. will invest 7 million euros
(US$10.3 million) to double production capacity for the manufacture of specialty glass fiber
reinforcements at its Bishopville, S.C., plant, which currently serves North and South American
reinforcement markets.
The expansion — the result of growing demand for specialty glass fiber reinforcements,
particularly within wind energy and marine markets — will take place in two phases. New machinery
will be installed in 2008 as part of the first phase. New production lines will be implemented in
2009 through 2011 as part of the second phase.
Ahlstrom also plans to invest 10 million euros (US$14.7 milliion) in additional nonwovens
capacity at its plant in Turin, Italy. The investment will be used to rebuild a machine currently
manufacturing release base papers so that it will be capable of manufacturing wetlaid nonwovens for
industrial applications. The revamped line is expected to be operational by the end of the first
quarter of 2009.
January/February 2008
