DuPont to expand Kevlar-brand fiber output in Va.

WILMINGTON, Del. (July 24)—DuPont will expand its Kevlar-brand para-aramid fiber production plant in Richmond, Va., with a new line based on the firm's proprietary fiber technology, boosting capacity by the end of 2002. The $50 million investment comes on the heels of the completion of previous expansion projects that were began in 2000 and boosted capacity about 15 percent, DuPont said. The second expansion phase addresses the continued growing demand for high-performance, high-strength para-aramid fibers. The technology to be used in Richmond will be an enhanced design of the equipment DuPont uses in Europe facilities.