Polymer Group, Inc. will install a state-of-the-art spunbond line that will more than double the capacity of its joint venture facility near Buenos Aires, Argentina and meet growing demand for its products in South America and to better serve its customers in the Mercosur trading region. The new wide-width, multi-beam line will be able to produce more than 15,000 metric tons per year. PGI, together will joint venture partner Dominion Nonwovens Sudamericana (DNS), expected to begin installation of the line during the second half of 2006. Commercial production is planned for late 2007.

The new line will be fully dedicated to the hygiene market, providing fine denier top sheet and other materials for use in diapers. The addition of this line gives the company’s DNS operation the ability to produce material that will satisfy the highest hygiene standards in the industry. The expanded capacity will also be used with DNS’s coating capabilities to  make value-added products such as cloth-like backsheets for customers in the region.

DNS has been operating in Buenos Aires since 1997. The company began operations with the installation of a multi-beam spunmelt line serving the hygiene and industrial markets of the Mercosur region and added an extrusion line in 2003 to increase its capabilities.