CHARLOTTE - Glatfelter has agreed a deal to purchase Georgia-Pacific’s U.S. nonwovens business for US$175 million. The deal includes Georgia-Pacific’s Mount Holly, North Carolina, airlaid manufacturing business and an R&D pilot line for nonwovens product development in Memphis, Tennessee, which collectively employ approximately 150 people.

The Mount Holly facility has a capacity of 37,000 metric tons and produces high-quality airlaid products focused on wipes and tabletop materials. The R&D pilot line and additional technical resources will enhance ongoing innovation efforts, Glatfelter said.

The deal follows Glatfelter’s 2018 acquisition of Georgia-Pacific’s European nonwovens business, which included manufacturing assets in Steinfurt, Germany, along with sales offices located in France and Italy.

“The agreement to acquire Georgia-Pacific's U.S. nonwovens business further reinforces our commitment to invest in growth opportunities as part of Glatfelter’s ongoing transformation while also expanding our operating footprint in the United States,” said Dante C. Parrini, chairman and chief executive officer of Glatfelter. “Our airlaid business has delivered strong results throughout an unprecedented 2020. The Mount Holly facility, along with the R&D pilot line, will allow us to continue to build on this success and better serve our customers.”

Georgia-Pacific's U.S. nonwovens business generates annual net sales and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $100 million and $20 million, respectively. Glatfelter said it expected to realize annual cost synergies of approximately $4 million to $6 million within three years and incur one-time costs of approximately $10 million for transaction fees and integration.

Glatfelter plans to finance the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and borrowing under its existing revolving credit facility.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory clearances.