US manufacturer of specialty fibres and nonwoven materials Buckeye Technologies Inc. has announced changes in the responsibilities of several senior officers effective February 1, 2006.

Mr. Paul N. Horne, currently senior vice president, Cotton Cellulose, will be appointed senior vice president, Product and Market Development, succeeding Mr. Jeffery T. Cook.

Mr. Douglas L. Dowdell, senior vice president, Nonwovens, will be appointed to the newly-created role of senior vice president, Specialty Fibres. Mr. Dowdell will lead the commercial operations for both Buckeye's cotton and wood specialty fibres, assuming the responsibilities previously held by Mr. Horne and Mr. Christian Chavassieu, senior vice president, Wood Cellulose. Mr. Chavassieu will resign from the Company at the end of February to pursue other business interests.

Mr. Marko M. Rajamaa, vice president, Nonwovens Sales, Europe and Middle East, will be appointed vice president, Nonwovens, succeeding Mr. Dowdell.