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The Glanzstoff-Group with its four production plants, located in Austria, Czech Republic, Italy and Luxembourg an its worldwide sales activities is leading in production and converting of high quality filament yarn. 1.200 employees are constantly aiming to produce and convert more
than 23.000 tons of yarn per year. In the converting plants different other types of fibres, such as Polyester, Nylon and Aramid are processed with the most modern technologies.
GLANZSTOFF CEASES PRODUCTION IN ST. PÖLTEN • Viscose yarn production in St. Pölten to cease at the end
of 2008
The decision was made after careful examination of all technological and economic alternatives. The further reduced emission values set by regulators as of the end of 2009 cannot be achieved technologically/economically. An appeal by Glanzstoff was rejected by Austria’s Independent Administerial Senate (Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat / UVS). Independently of this decision, further operation of the St. Pölten factory, which after a fire in the exhaust fan at the beginning of the year may only produce at approximately 40% of capacity for emissions reasons, would endanger the economic stability of the entire Glanzstoff Group. In recent months, Glanzstoff management, together with the owner, has fought intensely to retain the St. Pölten factory and has sought alternative solutions in many discussions, with innumerable recommendations and proposals. These recommendations, which contained the rapid new development of a powerful organic exhaust purification plant, were rejected by the regulators. Socially acceptable solutions The works committee and workforce, as well as the job market service, were informed of this step on Friday morning. Approximately 290 jobs are affected by phasing out production. Glanzstoff is aware of its social responsibility and will strive to find a socially acceptable solution. Around 10 jobs will be retained at Glanzstoff Holding in the St. Pölten location. Glanzstoff will fulfill its existing delivery contracts, particularly as production will continue through the end of 2008 and remaining stocks can be reduced. There is as yet no decision on the future use of the freed-up areas. In order to secure the best possible use, Glanzstoff is working to create an idea competition in collaboration with the city of St. Pölten. Regulatory requirements not economically feasible The decision to phase out production in St. Pölten occurred against the background of requirements prescribed by regulators. Although the exhaust air situation could be decisively improved in recent years thanks to comprehensive investment and technological measures, Glanzstoff Austria is forced to lower carbon disulfide emissions from 100 kg/h to 22 kg/h and of hydrogen sulfide from its current level of 10 kg/h to 3.5 kg/h by December 23, 2009. The UVS ruling confirmed these values on July 2 of this year. Moreover, an intricate IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) approval process of potentially several years’ duration has been prescribed for the plans submitted for reconstruction of the exhaust-air plant, which was destroyed in a fire at the beginning of the year. For this reason it is predictable that quickly returning to full efficiency at the St. Pölten facility, which would be economically indispensable, is not possible for the foreseeable future. For further questions please contact:
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