Polymer Group Inc. has expanded Spinlace technology at its  Benson, NC manufacturing facility. The new Spinlace line, the second such line in the Benson plant, adds more than 300 million square meters of manufacturing capacity at the facility and is expected to be commercial late in the third quarter 2014.

PGI’s Spinlace technology is a critical component of its growth in the specialty materials business, as it enables the company to produce and deliver innovative nonwovens to customers across multiple market segments. These segments include home and personal care wipes, commercial wipes, hygiene and healthcare.

“The specialty materials industry is highly competitive, and PGI continues to lead the market through an unparalleled combination of innovation and quality,” says J. Joel Hackney, Jr., CEO, PGI. “Whether they serve consumer or industrial users, our customers know to expect the best quality nonwovens developed with the most advanced technology available.”

The Spinlace technology utilizes a highly efficient process that incorporates almost limitless material inputs, including pulp, with high-speed hydroentanglement. Additionally, the process uses PGI’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.

“This multi-million-dollar investment in new Spinlace technology helps ensure that we continue to provide a diverse and innovative array of specialty products to our customers across the globe,” says Hackney. “Anchored with strong customer support and developmental agreements, it is a key step in our broader strategy for global growth, as we continue to extend our position as the leading nonwovens manufacturer in the world.”

PGI first introduced Spinlace technology in 2007.