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Ahlstrom-Munksjö setting up new glass fibre tissue line in US

17 May '21

2 min read

Pic: Ahlstrom-Munksjo

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is setting up a new glass fibre tissue production line in the US to support the flooring industry in North America with an investment of € 58 million. The line will produce full range of glass fibre tissue nonwovens with a focus on luxury vinyl tiles and vinyl sheet materials. Deliveries from the new line are expected to begin in mid-2023.

The investment will strengthen the company’s position as a leading global supplier of high performance materials.

"The investment in this new state-of-the-art foam forming glass fibre in the US is a major step in Ahlstrom-Munksjö's global growth strategy in glass fibre tissue market. In combination with our existing plants in Finland and Russia, this new plant will further strengthen our leadership in this field by consolidating our global position in flooring applications but also by giving us a unique platform to expand into other glass fibre tissue applications," says Hans Sohlström, president and CEO of Ahlstrom-Munksjö.

The new line will be installed on the Madisonville site, Kentucky, where Ahlstrom-Munksjö already has an established plant developing and producing filtration materials for transportation and industrial applications. The necessary land area has been granted by the local authorities in Kentucky.

“I want to thank Ahlstrom-Munksjö for this significant commitment to Madisonville, Hopkins County and the commonwealth. This facility has long been an important part of the community, and the company’s continued growth is incredible news for residents throughout the region. The creation of more than 50 high quality jobs promises a brighter future for families in the area, and positions the company for even more success in the years ahead,” comments Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.

The North American demand for flooring materials is estimated to grow annually by 5 per cent, and specifically by 11 per cent for luxury vinyl tile. "We will use Ahlstrom-Munksjö's extensive know-how and experience in glass fibre tissue manufacturing in responding to the North American flooring market needs. This investment will provide us additional capacity and allow us to better serve our customers in this region from a local site with high quality and cost competitive glass fibre tissue materials,” adds Pekka Helynranta, vice president, Glass Fibre Tissue business.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)