Johns Manville will build a new polyester spunbond production line in Bobingen, Germany. The line, which represents an investment of more than E30 million for the Berkshire Hathaway company, is part of a strategic plan to meet the rising demand for roofing carriers made of polyester spunbond. The new production line, which will utilize state-of-the-art technology, will increase spunbond capacity at this location by more than 30%, according to executives.

“This new investment clearly underscores JM’s commitment, as a market leader, to responsibly satisfy the long-term demands of our roofing customers,” said Enno Henze, European business manager Construction Materials & Systems. “Increased demand in the fast-growing Central and Eastern European markets, as well as the need to further strengthen our presence in Western Europe, requires additional capacity. This new line, with a capacity in excess of 10,000 tons per year, will be built with JM’s advanced spinning and binder technology, which will enable further improvements in product properties.”

According to Mr. Henze, the rapid carrier conversion from low-end bitumen-coated ragfelt to long-life polyester spunbond-based roofing systems in Central and Eastern Europe requires high performance and cost-efficient solutions.

The Bobingen plant, which is near Augsburg, was acquired by JM from Hoechst Trevira in 1999.