Polymer Group, Inc. Reports 2009 Sustainability Accomplishments

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Polymer Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: POLGA; POLGB) (PGI) reported it made significant progress in 2009 toward meeting its long-term sustainability goals, according to its second annual Sustainability Report prepared using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework.  

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Released today, the 2009 report showed the company continues to make environmental, health and safety improvements moving in the direction of achieving its corporate-wide sustainability targets for the year 2014. PGI reported on 16 new indicators in 2009 versus 2008 for a total of 37.

"Sustainability initiatives have been taking place for many years at PGI. Our 2009 report clearly shows that sustainability is interwoven with our values, our relationships and our capabilities globally," said Veronica "Ronee" Hagen, chief executive officer. "We continue to lead our industry in this important area and raise the bar for ourselves and everyone else in our business system."

"In 2009, we made significant progress in many important operational areas and strengthened our transparency," said John Heironimus, chief sustainability officer. "It takes a combination of company-wide commitment and outstanding internal processes to achieve these kinds of results, which are a testament to the strength and effectiveness of our global organization."

Highlights from PGI's 2009 Sustainability Report include:

• Reducing its carbon footprint by 19 percent and water consumption by 32 percent
• Lowering total raw material intensity of its products by 11 percent
• Increasing use of recycled materials by 3 percent
• Decreasing the generation of solid waste by 5 percent
• Improving safety with a 25 percent reduction in lost-time injury rate
• Improving employee engagement level versus benchmark

Among other accomplishments noted in the report was PGI Mexico's recognition by the Governor of the state of San Luis Potosi with a Red Cross Award for Social Responsibility.

The report can be viewed and downloaded at PGI's corporate Web site.

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 15 manufacturing and converting facilities in nine 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, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forwardlooking 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 forwardlooking 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; cost and availability of raw materials, labor and natural and other resources and the inability to pass raw material cost increases along to customers; changes to selling prices to customers which are based, by contract, on an underlying raw material index; substantial debt levels and potential inability to maintain sufficient liquidity to finance our operations and make necessary capital expenditures; inability to meet existing debt covenants; achievement of objectives for strategic acquisitions and dispositions; inability to achieve successful or timely start-up on new or modified production lines; reliance on major customers and suppliers; domestic and foreign competition; information and technological advances; risks related to operations in foreign jurisdictions; and changes in environmental laws and regulations. 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

SOURCE Polymer Group, Inc.

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