Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. (BFT), headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, has completed the acquisition of Georgia-Pacific's Lumberton Cellulose LLC. The Lumberton factory in North Carolina is a highly automated manufacturing facility that will now be known as BFT Lumberton.

BFT Lumberton wants to dramatically increase its capacity to over 30,000 tonnes per year, making it one of the largest fully integrated natural fiber processing parks in North America.

Jim Posa, BFT president, said that as customer preferences shift and single-use plastics legislation drives demand for alternatives to synthetic fibers, consumer brand firms are looking to develop items with little environmental effect. The BFT Lumberton factory will manufacture all-natural, clean, soft, biodegradable fibers capable of displacing synthetic fibers in numerous nonwoven and textile applications, while also providing valuable cleantech sector jobs to the local community.

Dave Rousse, president of the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), said that they’re thrilled to have a natural fiber supplier and INDA member bringing significant investment to the nonwovens sector and to North Carolina, where they live. They wish BFT the best of luck with its intentions in Lumberton.

Patrick Atagi, president and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council, said that BFT's acquisition of the Lumberton factory is fantastic news for North America's fast-expanding hemp industry. Demand for industrial hemp goods manufactured from the hemp stalk has skyrocketed, particularly in building and animal bedding. This facility gives domestic hemp growers and processors confidence that there is a steady market for hemp fibers and a realistic path toward whole-plant use.

In addition to increasing capacity, the acquisition of the Lumberton factory broadens BFT's natural fiber portfolio by permitting entrance into alternative product categories for cosmetic cotton, filtration, hygiene, and other nonwoven applications.

Chuck Oxendine, the Lumberton plant manager, will continue to oversee the operation. He said that BFT's commitment to natural fiber innovation complements its significant technical manufacturing knowledge here. Now that the acquisition is finalized, they will continue to provide exceptional service to their present clients while also starting work on the site extension to construct a new bast fiber manufacturing capacity.