The huge manufacturing line at Buckeye Technologies' new $100 million Gaston County plant will start to whine and rumble in mid-June as the company begins gradually ramping up its capacity to make millions of airlaid nonwoven products.

Such products are made of paper fiber but have a softness and absorbency like cloth–often even more absorbent. Applications include household wipes, feminine hygiene, diaper liners, restaurant napkins and new ones practically every day. The company sells about 70 percent of its output outside of the U.S.

The largest industrial development in Gaston's history will also be the largest nonwoven plant in the world, eventually employing 150-200 new workers in addition to those already at an adjacent Buckeye plant between Mt. Holly and Stanley on NC 273.

"We will begin the operation with a series of customer qualifications," said Sondra Dowdell, Buckeye public relations director. "Customers will test the products in their facilities before going full volume – that could take several months."

The whole nonwovens market "has a big growth curve," Dowdell said. "We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg. In the household wipes and cleaning category, products such as Procter & Gamble's Swiffer are taking off." Swiffer and similar wipes are used to clean the floor with a mop-type holder and last a long time before needing replacement. Recently Kimberly Clark announced a new line of moist toilet tissue using nonwoven product.

Buckeye is continuing to hire and train personnel for the new plant. More will be added as the facility increases capacity, operating 24 hours a day.

"We are tremendously excited to have Buckeye's huge, high-tech plant here in Gaston County," said EDC Executive Director Donny Hicks. "They will make a big contribution to our economy and quality of life. They are great people who have been a pleasure to work with."

Buckeye Technologies, based in Memphis, is a public company trading on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol BKI; on the web at www.bkitech.com.