By Adam Smith - The Athens News-Courier
Officials with Custom Polymers PET, LLC, and the city of Athens gathered Monday to celebrate the company’s recent expansion.
John Calhoun, one of the company’s partners, told those in attendance that Custom Polymers PET is not only “passionate of what we do for a living … but the impact we’re making on the environment.”
Byron Geiger, president of the Athens location, said the recent expansion added about 65 jobs.
A press release issued by the company said Custom Polymers PET has made “substantial investment in new processing equipment and a new 50,000-square-foot building.”
The company now occupies 250,000 square feet with additional land available for further expansion, the release said.
In July last year, the city voted to invest $1.3 million into the business so it could expand and add up to 40 jobs.
The company is leasing its current building at 1764 Wilkinson St. from the city, but Mayor Ronnie Marks told council members during a Monday work session the company plans to buy the building.
The city’s investment in the company will be paid back over the next four years.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Custom Polymers “is a global recycler and reprocessor of post-industrial and post-consumer plastic scrap,” according to the company’s website.
Calhoun said the company essentially purchases curbside plastic polyester resin, or PET, and grinds and washes the materials to produce new materials. The recycled products can be used for fabrics or straps for lumber.
PET pellets can also be used for items like deli trays, cookie tins, strawberry containers and soft drink bottles. Calhoun said the Pepsi Company is one of Custom Polymers PET’s biggest clients.
“Alabama is a great recycling state,” he said.