Finland-based Ahlstrom-Munksjö, a global provider of fiber-based products, will invest more than $70 million in a new glass fiber tissue production line at its U.S. factory in Madisonville, Kentucky. The project is expected to create 51 jobs.

The new line will produce a full range of glass fiber tissue nonwovens with a main focus on Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Vinyl sheet materials. Customer deliveries from the new line are expected to start in mid-2023. The North American demand for flooring materials is estimated to grow annually by 5%, and specifically by 11% for Luxury Vinyl Tile, according to company officials.

"The investment in this new state-of-the-art foam forming glass fiber in the U.S. is a major step in Ahlstrom-Munksjö's global growth strategy in the glass fiber tissue market. In combination with our existing plants in Finland and Russia, this new plant will further strengthen our leadership in this field by consolidating our global position in flooring applications but also by giving us a unique platform to expand into other glass fiber tissue applications," says Hans Sohlström, President & CEO of Ahlstrom-Munksjö.

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority in December 2018 preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program.

The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1 million in tax incentives based on the company’s initial planned investment and annual targets of job creation, paying an average hourly wage of $30 including benefits across those jobs.

“I want to thank Ahlstrom-Munksjö for this significant commitment to Madisonville, Hopkins County and the commonwealth. This facility has long been an important part of the community, and the company’s continued growth is incredible news for residents throughout the region. The creation of more than 50 high quality jobs promises a brighter future for families in the area, and positions the company for even more success in the years ahead,” comments Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj is a global company that provides fiber-based products such as decor paper, filters, release liners, abrasive backings, nonwoven fabrics, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, food packaging and labeling, tape, medical fiber materials for medical diagnostics.