York, Pennsylvania, USA, 09 January 2012 -- (Marketwire) -- Glatfelter (NYSE: GLT - News), a leading global supplier of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials, today announced the inauguration of its newest festooning line at its facility in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. The multimillion dollar technology investment virtually doubles the company's North American capacity in rapidly growing global markets for disposable and absorbent hygiene and personal care, home care, and food packaging products.

Glatfelter's proprietary technology delivers a sustainable competitive advantage for manufacturers of nonwoven goods by lowering total logistical costs, improving material handling, and increasing converting run-times while reducing dust generation. "In today's challenging global economy, these are critical performance features for manufacturers of end-use nonwoven goods," said Dante Parrini, Glatfelter chairman and CEO.

The inauguration also represents Glatfelter's continued commitment to the Gatineau community, and an anticipated increase in local employment opportunities as the line becomes operational and worldwide demand for festooned airlaid products continues to rise.

Headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, Glatfelter is a global manufacturer of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials, offering over a century of experience, technical expertise, and world-class service. U.S. operations include facilities in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, and Chillicothe and Fremont, Ohio. International operations include facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, a representative office in China, and a sales and distribution office in Russia. Glatfelter's sales approximate USD 1.5 billion annually and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GLT. Additional information may be found at www.glatfelter.com.