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06 Sep 2006  -  United States

DuPont announces major expansion plans to increase worldwide capacity for Nomex®

DuPont announced a continuation of its investment strategy for high-performance fibers with a multi-product, multi-region expansion plan for its high-performance Nomex® brand fiber that will deliver a step change increase in worldwide capacity of DuPont™ Nomex®. The company expects to invest more than $100 million in the three-part expansion that is scheduled to begin rolling out in phases later this year.

"Spurred by demand from market segments that include protective apparel, high-performance materials and electrical insulation, DuPont™ Nomex® has experienced significant growth over the past three years," said William J. Harvey, vice president and general manager - DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. "Strong customer value for the Nomex® brand and the quality it represents, in addition to trends toward increasing worker safety and smaller, more energy-efficient electronics, are driving market needs for Nomex® across a wide range of applications. This expansion program represents an important step in growing the Nomex® business and delivering the innovation and service that customers expect from DuPont."

The multi-faceted expansion is comprised of the following projects spanning Nomex® ingredients, fiber and paper:

DuPont Chemical Solutions is planning to construct a significant new isophthaloyl chloride (ICL) facility in Asturias, Spain. ICL is one of the principal ingredients used to manufacture Nomex®. This new ICL facility will also liberate additional existing capacity to be used for the production of ingredients for Kevlar®.

The existing Nomex® site at Asturias plans to add new equipment to increase Nomex® fiber manufacturing capacity there by more than 30 percent.

DuPont Teijin Advanced Papers, a joint venture, will double Nomex® paper production capacity in Japan. DuPont™ Nomex® paper is used in electrical insulation and as a lightweight structural support throughout the body of most commercial aircraft.

DuPont™ Nomex® is an inherently flame-resistant, high-temperature fiber that will not melt, drip or support combustion in air. It provides outstanding resistance to a broad range of chemicals, delivering protection against a variety of threats. For example, firefighters have relied on turnout gear, stationwear and accessories made of DuPont™ Nomex® for more than three decades. DuPont™ Nomex® fiber is the standard of protection for industrial workers against flash fire and electric arc hazards. It also is used in military gear such as flight suits and Combat Vehicle Crewmen coveralls. Nomex® paper, which is found in consumer appliances, industrial equipment and transportation equipment such as high-speed trains and commercial aircraft, has been providing high-performance electrical insulation for motors, transformers and generators for nearly 40 years.

This Nomex® announcement follows multiple significant investments by DuPont in Kevlar® over the last few years. Like Nomex®, DuPont™ Kevlar® is another market-leading brand of high-performance fiber. Kevlar® is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis, providing reliable performance and lightweight strength. Best known as a key component in ballistic vests, Kevlar® also is used in many other industrial and consumer applications, including the new Airbus A380, Goodyear® tires with SilentArmor technology™, and storm rooms for hurricane and tornado protection.

"As demonstrated by our Kevlar® expansions and today’s Nomex® announcement, we continue to aggressively invest in our high-performance fibers business," Harvey said. "With our two-pronged strategy of investing in current products while actively pursuing next generation breakthroughs, we will ensure that DuPont remains a leader in the manufacturing and marketing of high-performance fibers for many years to come."

Nomex® and Kevlar® are part of the DuPont Safety & Protection platform, which is focused on helping to create safer lives everywhere. Some of the platform’s other offerings include DuPont™ Tyvek® used in medical fabrics, protective apparel, and homewrap, as well as DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces, and DuPont™ RelyOn™ disinfectant and antiseptic products.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

Source : DuPont