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                                                                    Exhibit 99.1
                  POLYMER GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES TENDER OFFER
                           AND CONSENT SOLICITATION

NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA -- June 4, 1997. Polymer Group, Inc. ("Polymer
Group," NYSE "PGH") today announced that it intends to commence a cash tender
offer and consent solicitation relating to all of its outstanding 12 1/4% Senior
Notes due 2002 (the "Notes") on June 5, 1997.

     The total consideration to be paid for each validly tendered Note and
properly delivered consent will be based upon a fixed spread of 75 basis points
over the yield to maturity on the 8 1/4% U.S. Treasury Note due July 15, 1998,
which includes a consent payment of $10.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the
Notes. Using the fixed spread formula, the purchase price for the Notes will be
set at 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, June 18, 1997, unless the
offer is extended.

     In conjunction with the tender offer, the Company will be soliciting
consents to certain proposed amendments to the Indenture governing the Notes,
which amendments would, among other things, eliminate substantially all of the
covenants contained in such Indenture. Holders who tender their Notes will be
required to consent to the proposed amendments.

     The tender offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on
Wednesday, July 2, 1997, unless extended. The expiration date for the consent
solicitation will be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, June 18, 1997,
if on such date Polymer Group has received duly executed consents from holders
representing a majority in principal amount of the Notes or the first date
thereafter that it receives such consents. Holders who tender their Notes after
the consent expiration date will not be entitled to receive the consent payment.

     Polymer Group currently intends to finance the purchase of the Notes
through the consummation of a private placement and resale pursuant to Rule 144A
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 of up to $350 million principal
amount of a new issue of senior subordinated notes. The balance of the proceeds
will be used to repay amounts currently outstanding on Polymer Group's credit
agreement.

     Chase Securities Inc. will be acting as the exclusive Dealer Manager for
the tender offer and the consent solicitation. The tender offer and consent
solicitation will be made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase and Consent
Solicitation Statement and related Consent and Letter of Transmittal, which more
fully set forth the terms of the tender offer and consent solicitation.
Additional information concerning the terms of the tender offer and consent
solicitation, tendering Notes and the delivery of consents and conditions to the
tender offer and consent solicitation, may be directed to Robert Berk at Chase
Securities Inc. at (212) 270-1100 (collect). Copies of the Offer to Purchase and
Consent Solicitation Statement and related documents may be obtained from
MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the Information Agent, at (800) 322-2885 or (212) 929-
5500 on or after June 5, 1997.

     Polymer Group, Inc. is a leading worldwide manufacturer and marketer of a
broad range of nonwoven and woven polyolefin products. Its principal products
include medical, wiping, hygiene and industrial and specialty products.

     For additional information, contact James Bryant, Director of Investor
Relations, at (803) 566-7293.

