New compounder PlastiCal is building a 60,000-square-foot plant to produce mineral-filled polyolefins in Sylacauga, Ala.
Company officials said in a news release that Sylacauga is home to a 35-mile vein of white marble, with two major quarries to supply marble for PlastiCal's compounds. The PlastiCal plant is strategically located within a mile of each of the quarrying operations, they added.
PlastiCal is slated to start producing bulk pellets in the second quarter of 2020 and will have access to two railroads as well as to major highways across the Southeast U.S. The firm plans on hiring more than 50 direct employees and forecasts producing 50 million pounds per month of highly filled polyolefin concentrates within its first three years of operation.
Management of the new firm has more than 50 years of combined work experience in the daily operations of highly filled mineral concentrate facilities. Co-owner Glenn Stockdale previously served as operations director for Heritage Plastics, a compounder that also operates a plant in Sylacauga.
Stockdale said in the release that he's focusing the new plant on the most efficient and sustainable approach for the lowest-cost, highest-quality products possibIe.
"PlastiCal is committed to first-class customer service, along with the ability to produce the highest mineral loading in the industry," he added. "PlastiCal is locally owned and operated and will provide great opportunities and benefits for our employees to work in a safe and favorable atmosphere."
In addition to serving its customers, Stockdale said PlastiCal will serve the local community while working with its nationwide suppliers and customers.