FORT SMITH (KFSM) – Fayetteville company TiFiber, Inc. announced on Dec. 18 that it would locate its pilot production facility and future company headquarters in Fort Smith.
This will allow them to “further develop and produce innovative new materials that safely and effectively control dangerous microorganisms,” the release states.
Fort Smith was chosen mainly because of regional leaders’ efforts to attract technology-based companies like TiFiber, according to the release.
In 2015, pilot-scale production will be established in order to get certification with the Food and Drug Administration. Once that certification is obtained, a full facility will start “significant” production in 2017, the release states.
It is estimated the move will create up to 100 jobs by 2019, according to the release.
One of the things TiFiber is working on is replacing existing compounds in soaps like Triclosan (which Minnesota banned in 2014), the release states. Animal studies have shown Triclosan to alter hormone regulation, and it may “contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria,” according to the release.
“This project is a collaborative effort of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, local Fort Smith business owners and TiFiber,” said Tim Allen president of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce. “A group of local business owners are making a financial commitment to his company for the betterment of our community.”
