Article date: March 08, 2001

By Dan Telvock

The Avtex Fibers plant in Front Royal was at one time the world’s largest producer of rayon, an instrumental product for NASA’s space shuttle program and for parachutes and jump suits made for the Department of War during World War II.

The plant started operations in 1940 and was purchased by FMC Corp. in 1963. FMC changed the name of the plant to American Viscose and owned the plant until 1976, when it was sold to Avtex Fibers Inc., which in turn claimed bankruptcy shortly after.

According to Stephen Heavener of the Front Royal Warren County Economic Development Authority, when pollution was discovered at the site the EPA checked land records to determine which of the plant’s previous owners had enough funds to help pay for redevelopment of the site. Since the Avtex Fibers Inc. claimed bankruptcy and the very first owners no longer existed, FMC was basically the only company left, and is being held responsible for funding parts of the process.

The Avtex Fibers plant became a Superfund Site in 1986 after chemicals used at the site were discovered in the groundwater. The main chemical culprit is viscose, the main ingredient used to make rayon, which was discarded in several basins on the property.

In 1989 the plant was completely shut down and its 49 years of existence came to an end.

A comprehensive cleanup plan continues to be developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the EDA and FMC.