Polymer Group, Inc. Opens New Medical Fabrics Plant in Suzhou

Polymer Group, Inc. Opens New Medical Fabrics Plant in Suzhou

October 05, 2006

Latest Expansion Makes PGI the Largest Spunmelt Producer in
China

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Polymer
Group, Inc. 
(OTC Bulletin Board: POLGA; POLGB) today announced the
opening of its newest manufacturing facility located in
Suzhou, making the company China's largest producer of
spunmelt fabrics and the country's only vertically
integrated producer of medical fabrics.

    The new plant houses a state-of-the-art, multi-beam
Reifenhauser spunmelt line and a world-class finishing line
to primarily serve the medical, industrial protective
apparel and hygiene markets.  Constructed as scheduled, the
new lines are up and running providing customers with
treated fabrics produced in a pristine environment that
meet the highest quality standards.

    Located in the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park
near Shanghai, the site also is the company's Asian
headquarters and brings administrative, leadership,
finance, information technology, sales and marketing, and
administrative support for the region under one roof. The
location has 145 employees.

    "As more of our customers move to this growing
area, we are committed to delivering the highest quality
product from this new state-of-the-art facility," said
Jay Cheng, Vice President and General Manager, PGI Asia. 
"The strategic location and combination of our
manufacturing and back office functions at the same
location will enable us to better serve our customers in
this region.  We would like to thank the members of the
Suzhou Industrial Park Administration Committee (SIPAC) for
their support in making this a successful venture for
PGI." 

    The new spunmelt line is now capable of producing ultra
high-performance medical barrier fabrics, including PGI's
MediSoft(TM) products.  The finishing line in the new plant
also enhances the company's ability to offer 
high-quality medical spunlace fabrics like Provia(TM)
fabrics using proprietary processes and advanced treating
systems.

    "We continue to see strong demand for medical
fabrics in Asia, especially for those that provide high
barrier protection combined with softness," said
Fernando Marin, Senior Director of PGI's medical business
unit.  "As the only vertically integrated producer of
medical fabrics, we can better meet the needs of our
customers in this region and deliver the highest quality,
value-added fabrics." 
 
    PGI will hold ceremonies to officially open the new
facility in early November with elected officials and
customers in attendance.
 
    Polymer Group, Inc., one of the world's leading
producers of nonwovens, is a global, technology-driven
developer, producer and marketer of engineered materials. 
With the broadest range of process technologies in the
nonwovens industry, PGI is a global supplier to leading
consumer and industrial product manufacturers.  The company
operates 22 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries
throughout the world. 

    Safe Harbor Statement 
    Except for historical information contained herein, the
matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking
statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in the forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
of this release.  Important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those discussed in such
forward-looking statements include: general economic
factors including, but not limited to, changes in interest
rates, foreign currency translation rates, consumer
confidence, trends in disposable income, changes in
consumer demand for goods produced, and cyclical or other
downturns; substantial debt levels and potential inability
to maintain sufficient liquidity to finance the company's
operations and make necessary capital expenditures;
inability to meet existing debt covenants; information and
technological advances; changes in environmental laws and
regulations; cost and availability of raw materials, labor
and natural and other resources and the inability to pass
raw material cost increases along to customers; domestic
and foreign competition; reliance on major customers and
suppliers; risks related to operations in foreign
jurisdictions; and delays or difficulties in finding a
suitable new chief executive officer.  Investors and other
readers are directed to consider the risks and
uncertainties discussed in documents filed by Polymer
Group, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

     For further information, please contact:

     Dennis Norman
     Vice President - Strategic Planning &
Communication
     [phone]
     [e-mail]

SOURCE  Polymer Group, Inc.