Brazilian spunmelt maker Fitesa has provided more details on its expansion plans. Last week, the company, which has made several cryptic announcements regarding expansion during the past 18 months, confirmed that it would build a new nonwovens manufacturing site, with room for multiple lines, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The first line to be built in this facility will be a state-of-the-art spunmelt line capable of making 20,000 tons of material per year. This new line will begin commercial operation during the first quarter of 2016. The site will be Fitesa’s second Brazilian operation; the company has operated in Gravesend, Brazil since 2006.

Elsewhere in South America, Fitesa announced it will soon add 5000 tons to its existing capacity in Lima, Peru,which was added three years ago when Fitesa was still involved in a joint patnership with Fiberweb.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Fitesa has confirmed it is currently constructing a new spunmelt line in Norrköping, Sweden, at a site it acquired from Fiberweb in 2011. That site most recently was expanded in 2006 when a 20,000-ton Reicofil 4 line was added there. At the time, the site’s owners said the 5.2 meter line would add nearly 50% capacity to the site.
 
In other expansion news, Fitesa’s second U.S. line, located in Simpsonville, SC, is currently in start-up mode, adding 20,000 tons capacity to the site., while in China, where Fitesa has so far stayed out of the spunmelt market, the company has recently added a new carded line, capable of making air through bonded and resin bonded products, in Tianjin at a site which also houses an airlaid line.