Plastics to oil

RES Polyflow to locate production facility in Indiana

RES Polyflow, a renewable energy company that converts plastic scrap into fuel, has announced plans to locate its new Midwest production hub in Ashley, Indiana, creating up to 136 new jobs by 2019.

“With the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, Indiana is a leader in advanced manufacturing,” says Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. “That’s attracting innovative companies like RES Polyflow to bring quality new jobs to Indiana. Whether we’re producing cars, planes or new sources of energy, our Hoosier workforce is a hot commodity for companies looking to make the most of their growth.”

The Perry, Ohio-based company will initially invest $90 million to construct an 80-acre production facility adjacent to Interstate 69 in Ashley, with plans to invest up to $182 million into building and equipping the operation by 2019. Construction of phase one of the new facility is slated to begin in the spring of 2016.

RES Polyflow says it plans initially to convert 100,000 tons of plastic scrap into 17 million gallons of low sulfur diesel and gasoline blendstocks per year for the petroleum market, and potentially more than double production once fully operational in 2021.

The company plans to begin hiring for phase one of its new Indiana operations in the summer of 2016. Positions are expected to pay an average wage that is 45 percent higher than the Steuben County, Indiana, average wage.

“The Ashley site offers many logistical advantages for our suppliers and customers which allows us to expand rapidly to achieve our 10-year growth plan,” says Jay Schabel, CEO of RES Polyflow. “However, the deciding factor was the responsiveness and support shown by the people of Ashley, Steuben County and the state of Indiana. They are truly partnering with us on the journey of commercializing this unique technology with [the] reward of creating competitive manufacturing jobs while improving the planet for existing and future generations.”

Founded in 2012, RES Polyflow produces energy products from difficult-to-recycle plastic and rubber scrap and waste. The company purchases municipal, commercial, industrial and agricultural solid waste and says it will use its patented process to transform the plastics into petroleum blendstocks such as ultra-low sulfur diesel. This Indiana-based facility will be the company’s first to use its plastics-to-fuel conversion technology and will act as a hub for additional RES Polyflow plants planned throughout the Midwest.