Plans are underway at specialty fiber and nonwovens producer Buckeye Technologies, Memphis, TN, to sell its Lumberton, NC-based Fiberline operation. Buckeye Lumberton entered the bleached cotton fiber market in September 2001 with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, utilizing a batch bleaching process to treat a variety of cotton fibers. Bleached cotton fibers are used in personal care, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products around the world and are gaining acceptance in nonwoven applications. Boasting an 8000-metric-ton capacity, the Lumberton operation currently runs at about 90% with annual sales of approximately $14 million.

Buckeye chairman John Crowe commented, “Buckeye Lumberton is no longer a strategic component of our future plans and we believe it could provide a strategic growth opportunity for the right owner. If a suitable sales arrangement is not found, we intend to continue to operate and optimize Buckeye Lumberton.”