Spartanburg-based Sage Automotive Interiors — a supplier of automotive bodycloth to original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for seating, door panel surfaces and headliners — has announced
plans to invest approximately $10 million to expand its Gayley, S.C., manufacturing plant, with the
expectation of adding about 80 new employees to the facility’s current workforce of more than 200
over the next five years. The Gayley plant is one of Sage’s most modern and technologically
advanced manufacturing facilities and produces the company’s YES Essentials line of durable,
stain-resistant, odor-eliminating fabrics, which are used by automotive manufacturers including
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Hyundai.

Sage Automotive Interiors, formerly known as Autotex, originally was the Automotive Body
Cloth division of Spartanburg-based Milliken & Company, which sold the division last year to
Greenville-based investment firm Azalea Capital LLC
(See ”
Milliken
To Sell Automotive Fabrics Business To Management Group,” May 26, 2009). The company’s
workforce currently totals approximately 1,000 people at locations in the United States as well as
Japan, China, Brazil, Korea and Europe.

The company has been investing in the Gayley facility from the beginning, and according to
Sage CEO Dirk Pieper, will continue to upgrade the physical plant as well as install new equipment.
“This initiative, already partially implemented, will markedly improve and expand our manufacturing
capabilities in Greenville County,” Pieper said. “It will extend our capacity to serve OEMs the
world over as both the domestic and international markets improve during the next several
years.” 

Sage recently announced it will move its headquarters into a new facility on Clemson
University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) campus in Greenville.

“From CU-ICAR and Clemson University to the Upstate’s robust advanced manufacturing community
and deep talent pool, Greenville County is precisely the right location for Sage to expand,” Pieper
said. “Here, we are on the front end of evolving trends in automotive interiors, and the global
reach and opportunities of this company make us excited about our future in the Upstate. We will
now be able to grow as our markets do.”

April 13, 2010

David T. Rouse and partner have formed a new business, Carolina-Pacific Fibers LLC, to import and
distribute industrial polyester yarns manufactured by China-based Jiangsu Hengli Chemical Fiber Co.
Ltd. The new Charlotte-based company will supply Hengli high-tenacity polyester, low-shrink and
super-low-shrink polyester, high-modulus-low-shrink products, and twisted polyester yarns to
industrial markets in the United States and the Americas; and will provide those markets with
customer support as well.

“We feel the time has come for a full service import, distribution and service provider in
the United States, and that is what we are building,” Rouse said. “Our goal is to provide
consistent and reliable supply of high-quality value-added products that the U.S. customers demand
and deserve.”

April 13, 2010

PULLMAN, Wash., April 7, 2010 — Researchers at Washington State University are working to develop
a biodegradable mulch that would provide an alternative to costly and environmentally detrimental
plastic mulch. 

The research project spans three states and five research institutions, said Debra Inglis,
associate plant pathologist and project director. Inglis is based at WSU’s Northwest Washington
Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon.

The WSU Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles is playing a significant
role in the research. The Textile Research Lab is responsible for testing many of the intrinsic
qualities of both fabric and plastic mulches, said Karen Leonas, the department chair. Two AMDT
undergraduates, Marc LaPointe and Leanne Goldstein, are conducting the physical and mechanical
testing of the mulches.

“Textiles play a big role in the evaluation of the product, and with the textiles lab, we’re
well situated to contribute to this project in an important way,” Leonas said. 

The fabrics are being tested to determine how well they respond responds to different kinds
of weather conditions and their biodegradation rate.

Leonas said the research project started when she ran into a long-time colleague who was
studying biodegradable materials. Leonas asked the colleague to send her an abstract of his
research, and then forwarded the abstract to the chair of WSU’s Department of Horticulture and
Landscape Architecture. Rick Knowles, chair of horticulture and landscape architecture, realized
this research could be applied to the agricultural realm, and introduced Leonas to Carol Miles, an
associate vegetable horticulturalist who was researching alternative mulches for weed control in
vegetable production systems <
http://www.tfrec.wsu.edu/pages/orgrte/Project/279>
.

“We found there was an overlap in the research, and decided to proceed with the project,”
Miles said.

This research project has enormous potential to positively impact farmers, Miles said. The
alternative mulch could potentially create a reduction in the waste stream of plastic mulch, most
of which is currently disposed of in landfills. This in turn would potentially eliminate the cost
farmers pay to remove and dispose of the plastic mulch.

“This alternative would also benefit communities because many agricultural communities in the
United States do not currently have access to agricultural plastics recycling,” Miles said.

Miles said there is much to be learned about how biodegradable mulch would impact the health
and quality of soil. Biodegradable mulch should leave no toxic residue in the soil and, ideally,
would improve soil quality and decrease soil-borne plant diseases.

There is also potential to expand this research and supply alternatives to other types of
plastic far beyond agriculture, Miles said. 

“Only one percent of all plastics used are agricultural, and there are many other potential
opportunities for this technology–plastic bags being just one example” Miles said.

Posted on April 13, 2010

Press Release Courtesy of Washington State University

ALMELO, The Netherlands, April 13, 2010 — TenCate Protective Fabrics has secured a important order
from the Swedish manufacturer Gulins Business Design AB for the supply to the Norwegian FLO
(Defence Logistic Organisation) on inherently flame-resistant TenCate Defender™ M fabric in the new
colour dark blue. This involves fabric for more than 25,000 sets of clothing in two years, to
protect the Norwegian marines.

This order is the result of ongoing product development based on specific customer needs.
Thanks to patented technology and the success of TenCate Defender™ M that was developed by TenCate
Protective Fabrics in the US, the Research & Development team of TenCate Protective Fabrics in
Nijverdal (the Netherlands) has realized a new composition. Therefore this protective fabric is now
also available in dark blue and black. TenCate Defender™ M was already available in a variety of
camouflage patterns and solid colours for the uniforms of land and air forces. It can now also be
used for other markets, such as Marine Corps and police forces (including riot police and special
squads), which principally wear the colours black or blue for their operations. The fabric for this
order will be produced in Nijverdal (the Netherlands).

Ramon Overdijk, Marketing & Sales Manager of TenCate Protective Fabrics EMEA explains:
“The characteristics of TenCate Defender™ M are unique. In addition to the excellent protection it
provides against heat and fire and its anti-static properties when there is a risk of explosion,
the fabric is also exceptionally comfortable to wear, allowing great freedom of movement. The
fabric is cooling, breathable and moisture-regulating, thanks to the use of Lenzing® FR rayon
fibres in its composition; it is also durable and provides excellent resistance to wear, tear and
fading. As an optional extra TenCate Protective Fabrics offers a durable finish that repels petrol
splashes.”

European wearer trials

TenCate expects total revenues from TenCate Defender™ M products to increase further, which
will involve a wider geographical spread of sales as well as expansion of its applications.
Military wear trials are currently being conducted in several European NATO countries. TenCate will
not be issuing any further statements about these trials.

Continued development and innovation of the TenCate Defender™ M product portfolio is focused
on new applications and new functionalities, such as laminates and stretch. Collaboration with
fibre suppliers and garment makers, and in particular with the military organizations involved, is
of strategic importance in developing products that meet the wishes and specifications of soldiers,
marines and police officers. 

Breathable and comfortable

TenCate and fibre producer Lenzing from Austria have combined their knowledge of the
development and production of flame-resistant fabrics with fibres that are inherently
flame-resistant and comfortable to wear. The Lenzing FR® fibre is a key ingredient of TenCate
Defender™ M fabrics. Unlike other flame-resistant fibres, Lenzing FR® fibre not only offers
inherently flame-resistant properties but also absorbs moisture. This combination makes the fabric
breathable and comfortable to wear.

Standard fabric

TenCate Defender™ M fabrics continue to be selected as the fabric of choice for
flame-resistant combat uniforms worn by the US Army and the US Marine Corps. The responses from the
field regarding TenCate Defender™ M fabrics are consistently positive, and data show a reduction in
the number of injuries related to IED (improvised explosive devices) attacks.

Since 2007 TenCate received official commendations from both the US Army and the US Marine
Corps for the excellent quality of its products and services.

Posted on April 13, 2010

Press Release Courtesy of TenCate Protective Fabrics

Glen Raven, N.C.-based technical fabrics manufacturer Glen Raven Inc.’s Anderson, S.C.,
manufacturing center has received Wildlife and Industry Together (WAIT) certification from the S.C.
Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit organization that sponsors WAIT to encourage businesses to protect
natural areas near plant locations while promoting employee and community wildlife education.

Glen Raven developed an ongoing habitat plan for its 1 million-square-foot Anderson facility,
which sits on a 180-acre site including 130 acres of undeveloped land. The habitat features
wildlife nesting and feeding areas and a Fence Garden — built by a local elementary school with
assistance from the plant — near the facility’s entrance. The plant is the main manufacturing
center for the company’s Sunbrella® performance fabrics.

“WAIT certification requires a long-range habitat plan of three to five years,” said Rodney
Jones, technical finishing section leader and task group chair, Glen Raven. “Our long-term plan
includes labeling of plants and trees around the plant and construction of a nature trail. We also
envision creating an orchard that will provide a food source for wildlife.”

“We have eliminated all waste going to landfills from our plant, and we have achieved
certification under the internationally recognized environmental standard ISO:14001,” said Tracey
Sanders, quality engineer at the Anderson plant and a task force member. “All of these programs
have required the commitment and the involvement of everyone who works at Anderson plant. We view
environmental protection as an essential element of our work.”

April 6, 2010

Charlotte-based nonwovens producer Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) plans to invest at least $65 million to
expand its Waynesboro, Va., manufacturing plant, with the expectation of adding 41 jobs to its
workforce. As part of the investment, the company will purchase high-technology equipment that will
enable it to establish a new, state-of-the-art spunmelt manufacturing line with proprietary
value-add capabilities. PGI will add 90,000 square feet to the existing 200,000-square-foot
facility to make room for the new line, which will allow the company to increase production of
spunbond products for the hygiene, medical and select industrial and consumer wipes markets as well
as expand its spunbond product offerings for the hygiene and select industrial markets.

“This expansion will result in a significant capital investment and create many new, high
paying jobs in the Shenandoah Valley,” said Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. “Hopefully,
this announcement will be the first of many more to come as we work to get our economy moving again
and create the jobs we need to secure a more prosperous economic future for the people of
Virginia.”

PGI chose the Waynesboro facility over its Mooresville, N.C., plant for the planned
expansion. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Waynesboro and the
Shenandoah Valley Partnership to help secure the project for the state. Incentives include: a
$750,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund and a $750,000 performance-based grant from the
Virginia Investment Partnership Program; plus 15 acres of gifted land, a $1.75 million property tax
rebate program, and a $550,000 site improvement grant from the City of Waynesboro.

 “This planned expansion in product capability and capacity is part of PGI’s ongoing
strategy to provide superior solutions to the marketplace and meet our customers’ needs,” said
Veronica “Ronee” Hagen, CEO, PGI. “The efforts of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and
local Waynesboro officials to address and meet our unique needs through their combined incentive
package have allowed us to make this planned expansion possible in Waynesboro.”

Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2010, with production commencing in the
second half of 2011. All new employees will be hired and in place by the second quarter of 2011,
according to Clifford Bridges, senior director of corporate communications, PGI. 

April 6, 2010