Charlotte-based nonwovens producer Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) has agreed to sell certain assets of Montreal-based Difco Performance Fabrics Inc. to Union City, Ga.-based TenCate Protective Fabrics USA — a manufacturer of inherently flame-resistant (FR) fabrics, and a division of the Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate. The acquisition is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.

Difco, an operating unit of PGI's Oriented Polymers Division, is a provider of woven high-performance FR fabrics for military, industrial safety and fire service garments. TenCate will acquire all of Difco's brand names and other intellectual property associated with its protective fabrics portfolio, among other assets.

PGI reports the transaction is in line with its strategy to focus on its core businesses. According to TenCate, the acquisition will enable it to expand its protective fabrics market position in Canada as well as throughout North America, and to broaden its product portfolio to meet the market's changing needs.

May 10, 2011