Wichita, Kan.-based polymer and fiber manufacturer Invista has announced plans to expand capacity at its Kingston, Ont., manufacturing plant for the production of Antron® Lumena® solution-dyed nylon 6,6 with TruBlend™, a carpet fiber that features 30-percent recycled content. The company anticipates that TruBlend will in the future become a primary polymer platform for the entire Antron Lumena color spectrum.

"We are committed to producing Antron Lumena solution dyed fibers with recycled content that contribute to LEED® [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] points," said Diane O'Sullivan, global marketing director, Invista commercial flooring. "The expansion at our Kingston facility will provide additional capacity for our TruBlend fiber offering and allow us to deliver more color options being sought by customers."

In related news, Invista has added a 900-denier fiber family to the Antron Lumena line and also has added four new metallic colors — pewter, copper, steel and bronze — to its Antron Lumena Glimmer™ accent fiber line, which already offered gold and silver colors.

"The expansion of Antron Lumena solution dyed nylon into a new denier family supports new tufting technology advances and offers expanded styling opportunities for product design," O'Sullivan said of the 900-denier fiber. "We feel the first phase of the new color line will provide a rich color palette with the fundamental colors needed for innovative carpet design.

"The additional colors of Antron Lumena solution dyed nylon Glimmer fiber will enable mills to create new solution dyed nylon carpet styles with greater interest, luster and depth," O'Sullivan added.

June 21, 2011