The world’s largest nonwovens producer Freudenberg Nonwovens will permanently close its staple fiber production lines at its Durham, NC  in North America at theend of March 2009. Products currently manufactured in the facility will be transferred to other Freudenberg sites or discontinued. Today the Durham staple-fiber production operates two base lines and two print-sets and employs 60 people. The Spunlaid Division in Durham with its production capacity will not affected by this closure.

“The Business with staple fiber Nonwovens, has suffered financial hardship due to the economic slowdowns in the three largest markets of home industrial, mattress and wipes. This adjustment of production capacity is necessary to bring our capability in line with current market demand”, said John McNabb, general manager and vice president of Freudenberg’s Industrial Nonwovens Division. “We will focus on serving our key customer base with a local sales force, supplying Freudenberg material from other facilities”.

Freudenberg Nonwovens is committed to maintaining a strong presence in North America with remaining operations in Durham and Hopkinsville, KY.

Freudenberg will provide outplacement services to facilitate the job search for the employees affected by the line closures.