COVINGTON, Ga. — September 21, 2017 — FiberVisions will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its plant in Covington, Ga., October 6-7, 2017.
The Covington facility began life as part of the Hercules Powder Co., an entity acquired by DuPont in the 1880s, and spun off again in 1912.
Originally a manufacturer of cotton nitrocellulose for industrial end uses such as explosives, Hercules transitioned into the manufacture of polypropylene and polyester fibers in the 1960s. Herculon® branded fiber graced mid-century furniture and carpets, and at one point commanded 11 percent of the market for upholstery fabric.
Hercules began construction of its Covington Herculon® fibers plant near the heart of Georgia’s carpet manufacturing region in 1966; and the plant opened in 1967 with the goal of producing 25m pounds of polypropylene fiber annually.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Hercules turned its focus to the development of fibers for the fast-growing nonwovens market. As the carpet and upholstery businesses changed, Hercules fibers found their way into baby diapers, feminine care products, geotextiles, tea bags, filters, and wipes.
Posted September 21, 2017
Source: FiberVisions
