Viscose expands capacity

JAKARTA (JP): PT South Pacific Viscose, a joint venture of Lenzing AG of Austria, Ashok Birla of India and Pura Golden Lion of Indonesia, will increase the annual production of its staple fiber rayon plant from 75,000 to 100,000 tons in June.

"For the production increase, we will in June start the operation of an additional unit," The company's president, R. Goyal, said in a statement yesterday.

He said the company plans to further increase its annual production to 120,000 tons next year.

He noted that the production increase will make the Lenzing Group the world's largest producer of staple fiber.

Goyal said staple fiber is increasingly used in the world as a raw material for making various garments, including trousers, jackets, shirts and dresses. (13)