Berry Global, Inc. will invest in a state-of-the-art, proprietary Spinlace asset to provide an incremental 17,000 metric tons of annual capacity serving the North America markets. This investment, which will be a part of thecompany’s Health, Hygiene, and Specialties Division, is targeted to meet forecasted market and customer growth, and will be focused on premium applications in the healthcare, hygiene, household cleaning, food service, and industrial wipes markets.

Berry is conducting a search to determine the best location for the investment in North America. Current projections are for commercial production to start in 2019.

“This exciting news demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting our customers’ growth in the rapidly growing wipes markets as well as the next step in advancing our market leading position in wipes solutions,” says Scott Tracey, President of Berry’s Health, Hygiene, and Specialties Division.

Like much of the company’s nonwovens technologies, Berry acquired Spinlace through the acquisition of PGI in 2015. PGI introduced Spinlace in 2007 and added a second line at its Benson, NC plant in 2014. The technology use a highly effiicient process that incorporates almost limitless material inputs, including pulp, with high-speed hydroentanglement. Additionally, the process uses the company’s proprietary Apex technology to impart customizable three-dimensional images directly into the fabric to impart both functional and aesthetic attributes. The process results in stronger and higher performing materials at typically lower weights and with a better value proposition than traditional manufacturing methods.