KoSa upgrading tire cord plants in N.C., Mexico

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov. 26)—Polyester tire cord producer KoSa is expanding and modernizing production at plants in the U.S. and Mexico to support growing customer demand for treated fabric and packaged yarn. The company, formerly the polyester fibers and resins business of Hoechst A.G., will expand capacity for treated fabric by 40 percent at its Queretaro, Mexico, facility and is upgrading yarn processing capabilities at its Salisbury, N.C., site to make supply packages more compatible with customers' direct cabling operations. KoSa did not disclose the value of the investment. A year ago it completed an $80 million renewal of its technical filament operation at Salisbury, which added four spin-draw lines.