RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — DowDuPont Inc. says it is investing $50 million in its global operations that make Kevlar, a high-strength fiber that’s manufactured at a Virginia plant, among other locations.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch <a target=”—blank” href=”http://www.richmond.com/business/local/dowdupont-to-invest-million-in-kevlar-production-including-at-spruance/article%E2%80%94d7954250-05ff-5e96-a507-42af6241d30e.html”>reports</a> the investment will go toward upgrading and modernizing equipment to improve production, quality and automation.
The company didn’t say how much of the $50 million would be invested at the company’s Spruance plant in Chesterfield County. John Richard, a company executive, says the money won’t mean additional hiring at the plant, which employs about 1,800 people.
Kevlar also is manufactured in Ireland and through a joint venture in Japan.
It is used in bullet-resistant vests and other protective apparel such as gloves and boots. Richard says the investment is the result of “strong demand” in global markets.
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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, <a target=”—blank” href=”http://www.richmond.com”>http://www.richmond.com</a>