Plans are in the works at BBA Fiberweb to invest in a second production line at its plant in Tianjin, China. Utilizing local technology, the new line will target the growing Chinese market for airlaid products and will complement the plant’s existing M&J line, which came onstream in 2002.

“By using local technology and Fiberweb’s expertise in this area, we will be able to offer innovative and attractively priced products to protect and expand our premier position in Asia,” stated Pieter Meijer, vice president marketing and sales, Europe. “The Chinese market continues to grow in terms of consumption and the local supply base is also expanding. This is the reason we have decided to invest in another line in this area.”

BBA Fiberweb’s decision comes on the heels of an announcement in March that the company will build a new airlaid production line at its Korma facility near Monza, Italy. The $20 million European project is expected to benefit from synergies between BBA’s manufacturing sites in Asia and Europe.