Polymer Group, Inc. has announced it is investing in industry-leading technology in both the U.S. and Asia to serve the hygiene and healthcare marketplace. PGI plans to install new state-of-the-art, custom-designed, spunmelt machines in the U.S. and China. Construction associated with the projects is expected to begin early in the first quarter of 2010 and material is expected to be commercially available in mid-2011.

With the expansion, PGI will employ industry-leading technologies, combined with recent proprietary technological developments, to deliver differentiated products to customers that will achieve improved barrier, softness and opacity versus current marketplace capabilities for use in such products as diapers, and surgical gowns and drapes.

"This expansion in product capability and capacity is part of PGI's ongoing strategy to provide superior solutions to the marketplace and meet customers' stated needs for higher performing products with an optimum combination of barrier and comfort," said Veronica "Ronee" Hagen, chief executive officer of PGI.

The latest expansion is part of PGI's continuing strategy to optimize its global footprint, following investments by the company in Mexico and Europe in 2009.

"PGI's ongoing investment in global research and development has led to substantial product differentiation and innovation," said Mike Hale, PGI's chief operating officer. "Combined with our best-in-class converting performance, service, professional sales and technical support, PGI provides customers with the support they need to drive solutions for today, as well as for the long term."

Polymer Group, Inc., one of the world's leading producers of nonwovens, is a global, technology-driven developer, producer and marketer of engineered materials. With the broadest range of process technologies in the nonwovens industry, PGI is a global supplier to leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers. The company operates 15 manufacturing and converting facilities in nine countries throughout the world.