Concert to add third line in Falkenhagen.

Concert Industries is investing 50 million [euro] in a third European production line for the manufacture of airlaid nonwovens, according to managing director Rolf H6velmann. The expansion will increase Concert's overall annual production capacity by 30%. Concert has been producing airlaid for 10 years in the Falkenhagen, Germany area. The materials target hygiene and food pad applications with sales split evenly between Western Europe and the rest of the world.

The new line is set to come onstream in September 2009. It will add about 100 jobs to the facility, which is Concert's largest airlaid site. Concert also operates two airlaid lines in Gatineau, Quebec.

"Demand for Concert Industries' specialty products is primarily driven by the global feminine hygiene market, which continues to be supported by favorable demographics and expanding consumer interest," said Pierre McNeil, president and CEO of Concert Industries. "We expect this market to continue growing at a rapid pace into the foreseeable future."

Mr. McNeil added that the expansion is expected to help the company meet existing and future growing demand of customers in Europe and Asia and will also enable it to better serve its customers in North America from its production facility in Gatineau, Quebec. According to Mr. McNeil, Concert's North American business has also been experiencing strong growth and market share gains. "This expansion enabled Concert to secure a multi-year contract with an international customer, securing the future of our German and Canadian facilities."