Staff Report
Published Oct. 30, 2012

Florence County officials have granted $263,500 in incentives to a company that’s refitting a Pamplico plant for processing flax to be used in clothing.

Naturally Advanced Technologies, the recipient of the grant, is upfitting the 143,500-square-foot Delta Mills Cypress plant to produce Crailar flax fiber.

The company said its $8 million investment will create 25 jobs.

"We are thrilled about our progress in Florence County and look forward to having a fully operating facility there this December," said Ken Barker, CEO of Naturally Advanced, which is based in Victoria, British Columbia and Portland, Ore. "The region has been exemplary to deal with from state to county and we are thankful to Florence for honoring its commitment to developing the business in South Carolina."

The company said it has received all containers of manufacturing equipment and its engineering team is making quick progress at the facility.

Flax, which is grown as a winter crop in Florence and surrounding counties, will be processed out of the new facility beginning Dec. 28, the company said.

Naturally Advanced’s Crailar subsidiary has developed technologies to use flax, hemp and other bast fibers in textile production. The fiber can be woven into cotton, creating a more durable material, the company said.

Among the company’s commercial customers are HanesBrands, Georgia-Pacific and Brilliant Global Knitwear. Levi Strauss & Co., Cintas, Carhartt, Ashland, Westex, Target and PVH Corp. have signed on for evaluation and development.

Previous coverage

Naturally Advanced expects Pamplico plant to start production in Q3
Naturally Advanced expands manufacturing capacity
Naturally Advanced Technologies to open in Florence County