Freudenberg Nonwovens, Germany-based one of the world’s largest manufacturer of nonwovens to make investments of several million euros to upgrade its facilities in Durham, N.C., and Kaiserslautern, Germany, to enhance production lines to enable the production of higher-quality spunlaid nonwovens with increased performance characteristics.

One of three lines in Durham will be upgraded with advanced technology. Target markets for the enhanced products include filters and OEM automotive carpet and carpet tile backings. They are optimizing their manufacturing process and enhancing the performance of their production system with this investment, said Raoul Farer, technical director, Freudenberg Nonwovens, Durham. According to the company, the investment will also improve its flexibility to supply global markets.

According to Volker Röhring, Ph.D., head of process development, Freudenberg Nonwovens, Kaiserslautern, an existing pilot line will be upgraded. Markets benefiting from the upgrade include automotive, carpet and filtration as well as shoe and construction markets. This project will lead to improvements in the quality of the product’s physical properties, allowing them to proactively serve the needs of their customers

The upgradation of production sites are expected to be completed sometime during the fourth quarter 2014.