DuPont says it plans to invest more than $500 million in a multi-phase project to increase manufacturing capacity for its Kevlar para-aramid fiber by more than 25% by 2010, the largest Kevlar expansion since the product was introduced in 1965. The company will spend approximately $50 million of the total investment to increase Kevlar polymer capacity at its Richmond, VA facility, scheduled for startup by the end of the year. DuPont says it will announce the locations for the other expansions at a later date. The company cites several trends which are driving demand for its Kevlar and other high-performance polymers. "Global demand for DuPont Kevlar has soared with the growing need for safety and security worldwide," says Thomas Powell, v.p. and general manager/advanced fiber systems business at DuPont. "In addition, high energy prices have increased demand for the lightweight strength of Kevlar in the aerospace, oil and gas, and automotive industries," Powell says.