JEFFERSONVILLE — PTTGC America (GCA) has chosen the Fayette County mega-site for a new mechanical recycling facility.
The reclaimer complex will turn used plastic beverage bottles into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pellets, according to a news release, which can then be made into new beverage bottle and other products. GCA has reached an option agreement with Martin Land Co. allowing GCA to purchase land at the site.
The complex will be located between McKesson and the Honda site along the Bluegrass parkway extension that is scheduled to be built, according to the Fayette County Commissioners.
“This development really fits really well within the site, and we’re excited about them coming here,” said Fayette County Commissioner Dan Dean.
GCA is the U.S. subsidiary of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), Thailand’s largest integrated petrochemical and refining business and a leading corporation in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the release.
“Aligned with the Paris Agreement, GC Group aims to reduce current CO2 emissions by 20% by 2030 as part of our journey toward achieving Net Zero by 2050,” said GCA CEO Panod Awaiwanond. “This project illustrates our commitment to fight climate change and contribute to a circular economy. It also reaffirms our commitment to the U.S. and the State of Ohio.”
The project is in the study and preparation phase. Used plastic feedstock for the mechanical recycling process will be purchased primarily from recycling collectors, or materials recovery facilities, in Ohio and surrounding states. The recycled pellets will be sold to other manufacturers to make new bottles.
The mechanical recycling process will divert approximately 40,000 tons of plastic waste per year from landfills and leakage to oceans. It also will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50,000 tons of CO2-equivalent per year — a 79% reduction compared to production of virgin PET from hydrocarbon.
The 2,300-acre commerce park, on the east side of I-71 near U.S. Route 35, is also the site where Honda and LG Energy Solution are jointly developing a plant to manufacture batteries for Honda and Acura electric vehicles.
