Nilit Acquires Nylstar

Israel-based fiber maker Nilit acquired the U.S. operation of European fiber and chemical company Nylstar, including the company’s nylon 6.6 plant in Martinsville, Va.

Nylstar President Basil B. Walker will remain as president of the company, which will be known as Nilit U.S.

The acquisition helps secure Nilit’s position as one of the largest manufacturers of nylon 6.6 for the apparel industry, according to a company statement. The company last year opened a new facility in China for nylon 6.6, a premium nylon fiber with greater strength, elasticity and durability than other nylon fibers. Frequently used in interior-design applications, nylon 6.6 also has apparel applications, and Nilit manufactures the fiber in a broad range of filament counts, lusters and cross-section types for use in bodywear, activewear, legwear and intimate apparel. —Alison A. Nieder