FiberVisions Inc. announced earlier this week that it has approved an $18 million expansion for its Covington plant that is expected to bring 40 new jobs to the city.

Scott Powell, plant manager of the Covington FiberVisions manufacturing facility on Alcovy Road, said he anticipated the expansion would be completed by the beginning of 2009.

Powell said the expansion will allow the plant to manufacture bicomponent fibers, which are made of two different types of plastic or polymer. Bicomponent fibers are currently produced at several of FiberVisions other plants.

FiberVisions is one of the world's largest producers of polyolefin staple fibers - used in the textile, hygiene and construction industries. FiberVisions began producing bicomponent fibers in 2000, according to the company's Web site.

Powell said the Covington plant was selected for the $18 million expansion because of preexisting facility space that remained empty since the 1980s when the plant employed 1,200 people. The market for bicomponent fibers is also largest in North America he said.

"We have the infrastructure and utilities," Powell said. "This is where the market is. We have a very seasoned work force and we can bring this line up quickly and running at good efficiency."

Powell said the 40 new jobs will likely be in the fields of production associates, maintenance and logistics. The expansion will consist of retrofitting a preexisting manufacturing line and installing some new equipment to produce the bicomponent fibers.

Powell said the Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce helped bring the expansion to Covington.

"They've been very helpful," Powell said. "The Chamber has been helpful in guiding us and pointing us towards the types of resources and help out there [available] for businesses doing expansions."