Plans are underway to launch the first phase of a nonwovens production facility in the Trans-Volga (Nizhny Novgorod) region of Russia by July 2006. A Russian division of Germany's Freudenberg Politex will act as the investor, according to a recent Russian news release. The plant is initially slated to produce 8,000-10,000 tons of polyester nonwoven fabrics per year, although significant market growth is expected.