DuPont has started up its $500 million Cooper River Kevlar facility near Charleston, South Carolina.

The Cooper River Kevlar plant uses state-of-the-art technology that the company said will allow it to meet increased customer demand for advanced protective materials in emerging industries around the world. Commercial supply will begin by the end of the year.

Overall global production capacity for Kevlar will increase initially by 25% and is expected to grow by 40%, with planned productivity improvements and continued technology developments over the next two years, DuPont said.