Invista expands spandex capacity in China

06 May '11

3 min read

INVISTA, the recognized leader in spandex production and a wide range of other apparel fibers, fabric treatment and fabric technologies, expanded its spandex venture plant in Foshan. The plant will add approximately 12.5 kilotons of spandex production, raising total annual capacity to 24.5 kilotons in response to Asia's growing demand of high-quality spandex products.

With a total investment of more than US$227 million, the venture between INVISTA and Foshan Plastics Group Co., Ltd remains the largest foreign investment ever in Guangdong's fiber industry. The plant now operates four production lines producing spandex fibers for multiple textile processing applications.

“China has become the largest spandex-consuming country in the world. With the expansion of our Foshan site, INVISTA continues to demonstrate its commitment to the global market and China, and our ability to anticipate and meet the changing needs of the market,” said David Trerotola, president of INVISTA Apparel, at the opening ceremony where leaders from the Foshan municipal government, the Sanshui district government and the Xinan town government as well as other guests and INVISTA representatives gathered to witness the plant's opening ceremony.

INVISTA is the only spandex producer with production capabilities in Asia, Europe, North America and South America. As one of the largest spandex plants in the world, the venture site utilizes world-class production technology and strives to achieve safety, health and environmental excellence in operations. To date, the Foshan expansion project and site operations teams have achieved more than 4.5 million safe work hours with no incidents. In addition, it has received the “Safety Manufacturing and Fire-fighting Excellence Award” from the Xinan Town of Sanshui District, Foshan government for four consecutive years since 2007.

“As a world-leading spandex producer, we do not just focus on building capacity, but also on bringing innovations to meet the needs of the industry and the consumers,” said Trerotola. “As part of these efforts, we are moving forward with our plan to set up a China Textile Research Center in Qingpu district of Shanghai to support the development and commercialization of new fiber, fabric and garment innovations. The facility is expected to commence operations in the middle of 2012.”

INVISTA continues to develop and introduce new products to the market. In the Hong Kong Mode Lingerie Exhibition held last month, INVISTA unveiled its latest collection of concept and commercial garments created with LYCRA beauty fabrics, a new product platform for shape wear. Other LYCRA fiber innovations for intimate apparel, swimwear, active outdoor wear and ready to wear have been introduced in various promotional activities throughout Asia and received positive feedback from the industry.

In China, INVISTA also operates manufacturing plants and ventures in Qingpu district of Shanghai and Liangyungang of Jiangsu province, as well as sales and marketing offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and the Hong Kong SAR. The company is expanding its airbag fiber plant in Qingpu, and is moving forward with engineering for construction of a nylon intermediates and polymer facility in Shanghai.

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