LUXEMBOURG—Rising demand for DuPont's Tyvek nonwoven materials has prompted DuPont Safety and Construction, a business unit of DowDuPont Inc., to invest more than $400 million to expand capacity for the materials at its facility in Luxembourg.
The expansion will include the addition of a new building and third operating line at the site. The new capacity will come on stream in 2021, said the company.
Global demand for DuPont Tyvek has been climbing steadily across all key end-use markets, Rose Lee, president of DuPont Safety and Construction, noted.
According to industry estimates, the global segments for potential Tyvek use total several billion dollars.
Tyvek, a flash-spun nonwoven material made from high density polyethylene, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. The breathable material is lightweight and durable and resists water and abrasion. It has found use across diverse industries, including construction, where it is commonly used for building envelope solutions.
Tyvek also is widely used to manufacture protective garments, providing effective protection during health care crises such as the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa; as well as in medical and protective packaging.