The Specialty Materials business of Honeywell is expanding production of its Spectra(R) high modulus polyethylene fibre (HMPE). The expansion will provide additional capacity to support an emerging increase in the demand for Spectra(R) fibre and Spectra Shield(R) composites. Dean Flatt, President and CEO of Specialty Materials, said the expansion would be accomplished in two phases. The Phase I investment of approximately USD 20 million will include the installation of a new gel-spinning line and additional drawing capacity at the company’s Colonial Heights, Virginia, facility. The additional capacity is expected to be available by the end of the third quarter in 2002. The second phase of the expansion, in the initial scoping stage, will encompass the construction of a new HMPE plant. Although the location has not yet been selected, sites in Europe, Asia, and the USA will be considered.
