The two leading manufacturers of nonwovens Freudenberg (D-69465 Weinheim) and Japan Vilene Company Ltd (JVC), Tokyo, have now established the Freudenberg & Vilene Nonwovens (Suzhou) Co Ltd joint venture for production of Vilene interlinings in the People's Republic of China, Freudenberg and JVC holding a participation of 50% each. The decision to set up a new production facility in the People's Republic of China was mainly prompted by the proximity of the market involved. The new factory will manufacture standard high-quality interlinings for the Chinese clothing industry.

Dr. Ngoc-Tuong Lu has been appointed as project manager and joint venture chief executive. The project representing a total investment of $ 30m will be implemented in three stages. The building work is expected to start in July 1995 and production to be launched one year later in the first stage of construction. The last stage should be completed by the year 2000. Some 180 employees will then produce over 100 million sqm of Vilene interlinings a year on three web-forming and web-bonding installations for the Chinese market.