The new production line is part of a strategic plan to support the growing demand for high-end polyester filtration media and cost the company more than EUR 32 million to build.

The production line utilizes newly developed proprietary spinning technology and will increase the Berlin plant’s spunbond lightweight capacity by more than 40%, the company reports.

Greater access

An inauguration ceremony at the plant included customers, local elected officials, project partners and the company’s employees.

“This new capacity at our Berlin plant will benefit Johns Manville’s global customer base,” said Mary Rhinehart, President and CEO.

“Customers will have even greater access to our high-quality filtration products and to a new generation of spunbond filter media for cabin air, air pollution control and liquid filtration applications. This new lines also puts Johns Manville in a prime position to handle continued growth and customer demand in the many global markets we serve.”

Technological advances

The company’s innovative enhanced BiCo technology is said to enable unmatched product performance especially in the field of gas and liquid filtration, according to the manufacturer.

“Innovation continues to help make Johns Manville a market leader in our industry,” said Enno Henze, Senior Vice President and General Manager Engineered Products. “The technological advances on this new line in Berlin will give our customers an even more robust array of Johns Manville products to help them be successful.”

Berlin site

The Berlin site was founded in 1919 as Spinnstofffabrik Zehlendorf AG. In 1960, Hoechst acquired the factory and in 1967 changed the production from Perlon (artificial silk) to polyester spunbond and filaments.

In 1999, Johns Manville acquired the Berlin plant from Hoechst Trevira. Plant employees produce and market Evalith polyester spunbond nonwovens mainly for the filtration, roofing and geotextile industry.

Johns Manville

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products.

In business since 1858, the Denver based company has annual sales of approximately US 2.6 billion and holds leadership positions in the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs approximately 7,000 people and operates 44 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and China.

www.jm.com