The Shanghai based firm Labon, specializing in technical fiber and textile manufacturer has invested $3.1 million to set up its first U.S. facility in Orangeburg County which is expected to begin operations in January, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

The decision to set up 15,700-square-foot facility in the Orangeburg county was easy for them due to skilled workforce and friendly business climate. They will be hiring in 23 new jobs immediately.

Labon General Manager Hongxin Chen said that Labon is excited to launch their first operations in the United States in Orangeburg County. This development will allow them not only to accommodate their continued business growth, but better serve their customers as well.

The materials manufactured by Labon are used in many applications, including flame-retardant and hand protection products.

Central S.C. Alliance Chairman Mike Brenan said that South Carolina and, specifically, Orangeburg County celebrate another foreign direct investment win for their communities. They look forward to Labon’s successes and watching them grow for many years to come.

Over 60 percent of the announced capital investment in their region over the past two years has been from foreign-owned enterprises.

Shanghai Labon Technical Fiber Co., Ltd. is the most professional manufacturer of technical fibers in China committed to the R&D and production of fibrillated fiber and Aramid yarn. Portfolio covers Aramid pulp, Acrylic pulp, Aramid spun yarns and fabrics under the brand Jade Spider and Golden Spider.

Labon is one of the only two manufactures which are capable of producing Acrylic around the world with proprietary intellectual property rights for the whole set of production process and technologies.