A a groundbreaking was held in Clinton today for new plant that’ll make plastics out of corn processing by-products. Archer-Daniels-Midland and Metabolix have partnered in the new process and manufacturing plant and the facility will use the byproducts from the adjacent Clinton corn processing plant. Although the facility is partially constructed, a special dedication was held this morning (Monday). A-D-M Chairwoman and president, Patricia Woertz says the plant represents a new era.
"This facility and the partnership that brought it here, are the first steps of growth, down a path that will lead to a better future for farmers, four our country, and perhaps for indeed our planet," Woertz says. Woertz says that may be a lofty statement, but she says they see the plant as a promise for a better future.
Woertz says the plant will help the demand for farm products and provide a new plastic that is an environmental alternative to petroleum based plastic. She says the plastics will be used in food packaging, car products, carpeting and other items.
President and CEO of Metabolix, Jay Kouba says the Clinton plant is the first step in a long relationship between the company, ADM and Clinton. Kouba says the midwest has served the nation and the world for generations as a source of nutrition, and has since expanded to providing biofuels. He says Clinton will soon emerge as one of the leading producers of bioplastics. Kouba said that customers will look for the heart shaped leaf of Mirel plastics when buying products.
When the plant is completed in mid-2008 it will employ 100 workers and produce up to 110-million pounds of plastic resin each year.