MACON, GA. — A major fire broke out at a Pactiv Corp. plant in Macon on May 1.
The fire started at the plant around 6 a.m. and was still burning at 11 a.m., said local fire officials.
The molded fiber plant manufactures egg cartons. It does not appear to house plastics operations.
The fire was significant and required all plant personnel to evacuate. No one was injured, according to a statement from Pactiv.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
The company is assessing damages. In the meantime, Pactiv said it will leverage the facilities and inventory at its other location to meet customers' needs.
According to local news reports, heavy black smoke pouring from the plant limited visibility at Middle Georgia Regional Airport and was so intense that it was visible on radar.
Pactiv, based in Lake Forest, Ill., is North America's largest thermoformer with estimated annual sales of about $3 billion, according to Plastics News rankings.
The company says it is the world's largest producer of food service and food packaging. It has 55 plants worldwide, including 25 in North America, and more 12,000 employees.