Beaulieu Fibres International

Alujain Corporation signed a joint venture agreement with Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI) to expand polypropylene fibre and nonwoven production in Saudi Arabia. BFI will invest SAR89 million ($23.7 million) in Alujain's subsidiary IRIC for a 50% stake, and the partners plan to increase capacity to 88,000 tonnes per annum with additional capex of SAR330 million ($86.5 million).

Beaulieu Fibres International will launch Meralux fibers in May 2017, short cut fibers for hygiene applications in summer 2017, and new PET core BICO fibers in 2017. The company invested €30 million, including a new long line at its Terni, Italy facility, to extend production capacity.