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Freudenberg Vitech LP Expands Nonwoven Headliner Facing Capacity

25 October 2000

Freudenberg Vitech LP Expands Nonwoven Headliner Facing Capacity

    LOWELL, Mass., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ Freudenberg Vitech LP has announced
the expansion of their needlepunch capacity with the addition of a new, second
production line in North America.  Mr. Bill Casey, President of Freudenberg
Vitech LP, revealed that an investment of more than $11 million has been made
in a new, state of the art, needlepunch line to produce nonwoven headliner
facing for the North American Automotive market.
    The investment will add 16 million m2 of Automotive headliner facing
capacity to the Freudenberg Vitech LP North American operations.  The line
will be operational in the second half of 2001 and will be located in the
Freudenberg Nonwovens plant in Hopkinsville, KY.
    Demand for the unique Freudenberg nonwoven headliner facing has surpassed
the installed capacity of the original Freudenberg Vitech line in Lowell, MA.
This new capacity will enable Freudenberg Vitech to meet the growing demand
for high performing nonwoven facings in the North American Automotive market.
    Freudenberg Vitech LP is a joint venture between Japan Vilene Company and
Freudenberg Nonwovens.  Nonwoven headliner facings are also produced for the
Japanese market by Japan Vilene Company and for the Korean market by Korea
Vilene Company.

     For further information contact:
     Bill Casey
     President
     Tel: +1 (978) 454-0461 x 400
     bill.casey@FVNA.com

     Freudenberg Vliesstoffe KG
     D- 69465 Weinheim
     bodo.ermler@freudenberg.de
     Phone: +49 (0) 6201 / 80-5923
     Fax:   +49 (0) 6201 / 88-5923
     Mobil: +49 (0) 172 / 631 2427