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[PGI LOGO]
                                                             Polymer Group, Inc.
                                                                   P.O. Box 5069
                                                        N. Charleston, SC  29405
                                                       Contact:  Robert Johnston
                                                                    843-566-7293

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                    PGI Investor Relations News Release
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Polymer Group, Inc. Announces Earnings Shortfall

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

[North Charleston, SC]--- Polymer Group, Inc. (NYSE: PGI) announced today that
first quarter and fiscal year 2001 financial results are expected to be
materially below the Company's previous expectations. Management is focused on
taking the necessary steps to return the Company to profitability.

Polymer Group currently anticipates revenue of approximately $200 million in the
first quarter while EBITDA (defined as operating income plus depreciation and
amortization) is now expected to be in the $20 - $22 million range. The Company
expects to report a net loss of approximately $18 to $20 million or $0.55 to
$0.65 per share in the first quarter.

For fiscal year 2001, the Company currently anticipates revenues to increase by
$40 to $80 million to between $900 and $940 million, but expects EBITDA to
decline by $15 to $25 million to between $130 and $140 million. PGI expects to
report a net loss of $35 to $45 million or $1.10 to $1.40 per share for fiscal
year 2001.

These estimates specifically exclude significant opportunities from several
programs in the process of being commercialized for major consumer products
companies. Although these programs are expected to begin in the third and fourth
quarters of 2001, management has excluded these programs from the estimates as
program launch dates are beyond the Company's control.

Commenting on this announcement, Jerry Zucker, Polymer Group Chairman, President
and CEO stated, "Entering the year we had anticipated improvements throughout
the business based on the modest uptick in the fourth quarter. Clearly these
improvements have failed to materialize in this quarter. The difficult
environment experienced in 2000 deteriorated further in
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the first quarter of 2001 and although we are confident of sequential
improvements throughout the year, we no longer anticipate returning to
profitability until the fourth quarter of 2001 or early in 2002. The same
factors that impacted fiscal 2000 results continue to depress our performance,
and in many instances, have actually worsened. We had expected to see
improvements in pricing and margins in hygiene-based spunmelt products, but we
have seen continued pricing pressure and margin erosion. Our expectation
entering the quarter was to see reductions in raw material prices.
Unfortunately, the anticipated reductions have not generally materialized.
Demand for certain higher margin consumer products has failed to return to
forecasted levels, and as a result, certain specialized manufacturing assets
remain underutilized and the commercialization of certain APEX(R) programs is
taking longer than originally anticipated. In addition to the continuation of
the factors experienced in 2000, we are also experiencing short-term order
reductions and an unfavorable shift in our product mix due to adjustments of
certain customers."

As a result of the anticipated earnings shortfall, PGI does not expect to be in
compliance with its bank covenants and is in the process of initiating
discussions with its bank group to modify its covenants.

Mr. Zucker also commented on banking and strategic initiatives: "We are
initiating discussions with our bank group to modify our financial covenants. We
are also examining the sale of certain non-core assets in order to facilitate
debt reduction. Furthermore, we will continue to implement programs to reduce
costs and improve margins while making every effort to accelerate existing and
additional APEX(R) programs."

The Company also announced that Michael McGovern, Managing Director of JPMorgan,
has resigned as a director of PGI.  The Company is currently evaluating possible
candidates for his replacement.

Polymer Group will host a conference call at 9:00 AM, Tuesday, March 13, 2001.
To access this call over the web, please visit our web site at
www.polymergroupinc.com and click on the "Investors" section. To access this
call via telephone, dial (800) 360-9865. A replay of the call will be available
starting at 11:00 AM by dialing (800) 428-6051 and entering access code 155847.
The replay will be available until 11:59 PM Tuesday, March 20, 2001.

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Polymer Group, Inc., the world's third largest producer of nonwovens, is a
global, technology-driven developer, producer and marketer of engineered
materials. With the broadest range of process technologies in the nonwovens
industry, PGI is a global supplier to leading consumer and industrial product
manufacturers. The Company employs more than 4,000 people and operates 25
manufacturing facilities throughout the world.  Polymer Group, Inc. is the
exclusive manufacturer of Miratec(R) fabrics, produced using proprietary
advanced laser technologies, which the Company believes have the potential to
replace traditionally woven and knit textiles in a wide range of applications.
APEX(R) and Miratec(R) are registered trademarks of Polymer Group, Inc.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in
this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual
results to differ from those indicated in forward-looking statements can
include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) increased competition in
markets in which the company competes, (ii) increased costs, (iii) changes in
conditions of the general economy and (iv) the company's substantial leverage
position.  Investors and other readers are directed to consider the risks and
uncertainties discussed in documents filed by Polymer Group, Inc. with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, declared effective on July 1, 1998.

For further information, please contact:
     Robert Johnston or
     Dennis Norman
     Investor Relations
     Polymer Group, Inc.
     P.O. Box 5069
     North Charleston, South Carolina, 29405
     Telephone  No.: (843) 566-7293
     E-mail:     johnstonr@pginw.com   Web: www.polymergroupinc.com
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