Amatex Corporation created the Amatex Asbestos Trust after bankruptcy to pay claims for mesothelioma from its asbestos textiles. The trust launched with $16 million to settle thousands of lawsuits over yarn, cloth and rope produced through the early 1980s.
Written by D. Carl Money | Scientifically Reviewed by Sean Fitzgerald, PG | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update: January 27, 2026
"My primary support since being diagnosed with Mesothelioma, ...." see more
Mary L. - Mesothelioma Patient
"I found out about The Mesothelioma Center while researching ...." see more
Karen F. - Mesothelioma Patient
"I just want to take this time to thank Mesothelioma Center f...." see more
Richard D. - Mesothelioma Patient
"My brother was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. I began...." see more
Cindy W. - Sister of a Mesothelioma Patient
"My father was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. We, as a...." see more
Cindy R. - Daughter of a Mesothelioma Patient
Amatex Corporation faced overwhelming asbestos-related lawsuits, leading to Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 1, 1982. The company dealt with more than 9,000 claims from workers and product users who developed mesothelioma and other diseases after handling its textiles. The court required Amatex to form a Creditors’ Committee of Asbestos Litigants to manage these claims during bankruptcy proceedings.
The company created the Amatex Asbestos Trust in 1990 as part of its bankruptcy plan to pay current and future claims. This asbestos trust fund, sometimes called the Amatex Asbestos Disease Trust Fund or Amatex Settlement Trust, started with $16 million dedicated to compensation. Over its first 10 years, the trust paid out more than $11 million to qualified claimants who proved their diagnoses, like mesothelioma, were linked to Amatex products.
Garden City Group administered the trust until June 2018, when Epiq became the legal services provider. People diagnosed with asbestos diseases can still file claims with this trust if they link their condition to Amatex yarn, cloth or rope. A mesothelioma lawyer can review your work history and guide you through the trust claim process to secure the compensation you may qualify for.
People were exposed to asbestos in Amatex asbestos textiles or yarn should consider working with a knowledgable mesothelioma lawyer for help filing trust claims. A mesothelioma attorney gathers your employment records, medical diagnosis and product exposure details, then submits a complete claim to the Amatex Asbestos Trust before deadlines pass.
Most workers handled asbestos products from several companies over their careers, so an asbestos lawyer digs into your full job history to uncover all sources of exposure. This step matters because some asbestos companies never went bankrupt, which lets you file mesothelioma lawsuits directly against them. Your lawyer coordinates trust claims with other options like workers’ compensation or suits against non-bankrupt manufacturers to maximize your compensation.
Our Patient Advocates are ready to hear your story and match you with mesothelioma lawyers who are familiar with Amatex cases. They offer around-the-clock support that covers legal referrals, treatment connections with specialists, access to patient support networks and guidance on insurance or financial aid questions.
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
Get Help NowAmatex was facing 9,843 mesothelioma and other asbestos lawsuits before filing for bankruptcy protection. Former employees and workers who had used Amatex products and later developed illnesses such as asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer filed many of these claims.
For example, Ernest Cleveland worked at a naval shipyard in the 1970s, where he came into contact with asbestos products from multiple manufacturers, including Amatex. In 1980, Cleveland was diagnosed with asbestosis and filed a lawsuit in July 1982 against both Amatex and Celotex.
Amatex settled with Cleveland before the case went to trial. At trial, Cleveland was awarded $1.5 million from Celotex, a company that manufactured asbestos insulation products.
Amatex Corporation built its business around asbestos textiles that delivered strength and heat resistance for demanding industrial uses. The company started manufacturing asbestos cloth, yarn, lap, thread and cord in 1950, then expanded into asbestos wick, rope and tubing by the early 1960s. Workers valued these materials because they held up under extreme conditions and fit easily into textile production.
The company acquired an asbestos plant in Meredith, New Hampshire, from Keasbey & Mattison in 1962 and continued producing asbestos products there until 1982. Asbestos fibers gave the company’s textiles durability that other materials couldn’t match at the time, but breathing in the microscopic toxic fibers put factory workers, shipyard hands and others at risk for mesothelioma and lung diseases. The company knew about these dangers well before it stopped using asbestos in the early 1980s.
Amatex faced thousands of lawsuits over its asbestos products, which led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the creation of its trust fund in 1990. The company now operates in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Mexico with asbestos-free textiles made from fiberglass and silica fibers. Davlyn Group acquired Amatex and Norfab in December 2020 to expand its lineup of technical yarns, woven fabrics and heat-resistant materials.
Amatex’s asbestos textiles were used in multiple industries putting people at risk of asbestos exposure on the job. Many higher risk jobs include construction, shipbuilding, pipefitting and heating and air conditioning.
Higher Risk Occupations
Amatex asbestos products reached workers across many industries and created widespread exposure risks. People who handled the company’s textiles faced serious health dangers from breathing in the tiny fibers.
Amatex manufactured a wide range of asbestos-containing textiles. These products were designed for heat resistance and were used in various industrial applications.
Amatex’s Asbestos Products
These products contained very high levels of chrysotile asbestos: carded asbestos fiber was made of 100% chrysotile asbestos, Safecote contained 80%, and most other products ranged from 95% to 97% chrysotile asbestos.
Recommended ReadingStay up-to-date on treatment, research, clinical trials, doctors and survivors
The information on this website is proprietary and protected. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying or dissemination will be prosecuted. Please read our privacy policy and terms of service for more information about our website.
This website and its content may be deemed attorney advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome.
The Mesothelioma Center’s claim as the most trusted resource is based on our more than 150 5-star Google and BBB reviews. Our organization also helps more than half of all mesothelioma patients annually diagnosed.
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
Asbestos.com. (2026, February 3). Amatex Corporation Trust Fund and Lawsuits. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/companies/amatex-corporation/
"Amatex Corporation Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Asbestos.com, 3 Feb 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/companies/amatex-corporation/.
Asbestos.com. "Amatex Corporation Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Last modified February 3, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/companies/amatex-corporation/.
An occupational scientist or another expert who specializes in occupational hazards reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current scientific standards and accuracy.
Sean Fitzgerald, PG, is a research geologist specializing in asbestos environmental studies.
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
