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DowDuPont Investing $50M in Kevlar

The company didn't say how much of the $50 million would be invested at its Virginia plant.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — DowDuPont Inc. says it is investing $50 million in its global operations that make Kevlar, a high-strength fiber that's manufactured at a Virginia plant, among other locations.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the investment will go toward upgrading and modernizing equipment to improve production, quality and automation.

The company didn't say how much of the $50 million would be invested at its Spruance plant in Chesterfield County. John Richard, a company executive, says the money won't mean additional hiring at the plant, which employs about 1,800 people.

Kevlar also is manufactured in Ireland and through a joint venture in Japan.

It is used in bullet-resistant vests and other protective apparel such as gloves and boots. Richard says the investment is the result of "strong demand" in global markets.

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