Integrated fibres and polymers company Invista is to build a new manufacturing facility to produce high tenacity nylon 6,6 yarns in the Shanghai area, China. The new plant, with an annual capacity of 11 kilotons, is expected to commence construction later this year.

The facility will manufacture nylon 6,6 yarns for use in differentiated industrial textile applications, although its major focus is the automotive airbag industry.

The announcement follows expansions at the company’s Kingston, Canada, facility of 5.5 kilotons in April this year and at its Gloucester, UK, site of 3.2 kilotons in January 2005.

Commercial production of the plant is scheduled for the first quarter of 2008.