Bast Fibre Technologies Inc. (BFT) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire its first North American natural fibre processing facility, Lumberton Cellulose (LC), from Georgia-Pacific. The acquisition marks a major milestone for the premium natural fibre producer as it expands its manufacturing footprint to meet rapidly growing demand across the global nonwoven and textile industries.
By integrating the state-of-the-art Lumberton facility and its experienced team, BFT will immediately establish full-scale manufacturing operations in North America, strengthening its regional supply chain and improving access to sustainable fibre production.
Strategic Expansion to Support Sustainable Fibre Growth
BFT CEO and Chairman Noel Hall said the acquisition follows the company’s recent purchase of German-based fibre processor FVT, reinforcing its long-term strategy to develop strong global production capabilities.
“This is another key step in our long-term strategy of building significant high-quality manufacturing capacity for our global customers, supporting our core mission of ‘grow local, process local, sell local’,” Hall stated.
The acquisition also builds on BFT’s existing relationship with Georgia-Pacific. In February 2020, BFT licensed a portfolio of patents from Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products for the global, exclusive use of bast fibres in nonwoven products and processing technologies.
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The Lumberton Cellulose facility is a highly automated producer of natural fibres primarily serving the personal care and hygiene markets. Its strategic location enables efficient supply to BFT’s North American customers. The company plans to invest further in the site, positioning LC as its flagship U.S. manufacturing operation, while also opening new opportunities for North American hemp and flax growers.
BFT President Jim Posa described the acquisition as a crucial milestone in the company’s sustainability mission.
“This acquisition is a key strategic step in expanding manufacturing capacity while supporting the vast potential of North American-grown hemp and flax. With the strong infrastructure and highly experienced team at Lumberton, we expect to significantly expand production over the coming years,” he said.
Posa added that the deal will play a vital role in supporting North America’s transition away from plastics and manufactured cellulosic fibres toward a more sustainable future.
The final purchase is expected to be completed during BFT’s first fiscal quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.
