Wellman Inc., a Fort Mill, S.C.-based producer of plastic packaging, fibers and engineering resins, has donated machinery valued at more than $3 million to the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College, Belmont, N.C. The machinery, previously on loan to the center, is used to perform fibers and resin testing.

The center, chartered by the State of North Carolina in 2005 to be a Center of Excellence, serves more than 200 textile businesses within the textile product supply chain. Yarn and fabric formation services are available via the center’s pilot yarn spinning plant. Fiber, yarn and fabric testing and evaluation services, as well as defect analysis, also are available. The center also provides consultation on process improvement and product innovation, and tailored training.

“Wellman strongly supports the Center of Excellence concept,” said Steve Ates, vice president, sales and marketing, Wellman. “We hope that other suppliers to the textile industry follow our lead and donate to the Textile Technology Center. Shared resources that support innovation and improved productivity are vital to the long-term success of our industry.”

December 27, 2007