FitesaFiberweb Simpsonville is a newly formed joint venture between Fiberweb PLC, a manufacturer of specialty nonwoven materials that has operated its plant in Simpsonville for more than 20 years, and Petropar, a Brazilian industrial conglomerate that operated its nonwovens business through its Fitesa subsidiary.

FitesaFiberweb will build two manufacturing lines in Simpsonville, S.C., that will produce lightweight nonwovens for the hygiene products industry. The expansion will create at least 67 new jobs in Simpsonville, according to the Greenville Area Development Corp.

The manufacturing plant also will serve as the corporate headquarters for FitesaFiberweb.

“We are delighted that Fitesa and Fiberweb have been able to create this imaginative venture swiftly and smoothly,” said FitesaFiberweb CFO Hal Singley Jr. “We share a common interest in implementing a model that focuses scarce capital on cost-effective investment to meet customers’ needs for leading-edge products on a regional and global basis, and that allows economies of scale to be achieved.”

The joint venture, which also includes manufacturing facilities in Washington State, Mexico and Brazil, is the second largest hygiene nonwovens manufacturer in the Americas, according to the new company.

“We’re pleased that the leadership of FitesaFiberweb recognized the great opportunity for long-term success that Greenville County offers their new company,” said Mike Buiter, chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corp. Board. “As globally respected manufacturers with innovative processes, an international customer base and corporate track records of positive growth, this announcement by FitesaFiberweb is a positive statement for Greenville County’s growing business community.”