Page 32 - Plastics News September 2020

NOVA Chemicals signs PCR supply agreement KRA Operations Investing $11.5M In South
with Merlin Plastics Carolina

hemicals and plastic resins producer NOVA RA Operations, LLC, a subsidiary of South Korean-
CChemicals has signed a long-term agreement with
Kbased Kirin Precision Co., Ltd, is establishing its
Canadian recycler Merlin Plastics to increase the first U.S. operations in Newberry County, SC. The
supply of post-consumer recyclate (PCR). As part of
this agreement, Merlin Plastics will supply high- company's $11.5 million investment is projected to
quality, post-consumer recyclate (PCR) for consumer create 57 new jobs. “In examining where to locate our
packaging. NOVA Chemicals is providing multi-million- first U.S. operation, we became convinced that South
dollar funding to expand the equipment in Merlin's
Delta facility in British Columbia (BC). The financing
will also enhance Merlin's recyclate processing for food
p a c k a g i n g
a p p l i c a t i o n s .
The company is
e x p e c t i n g t o
provide 1005 PCR
p o l y e t h y l e n e
and PCR blended
with its virgin
grades, including
h i g h - q u a l i t y
l i n e a r l o w -
d e n s i t y
p o l y e t h y l e n e Carolina and particularly, Newberry County, would be
(LLDPE), low- a great place to do business,” said KRA Operations,
d e n s i t y LLC President Wonyoung “William” Chang. “From the
polyethylene (LDPE), and high-density polyethylene beginning of construction to starting our operations,
(HDPE). NOVA Chemicals president and CEO Luis Sierra we have experienced first-class customer service, a
said: “Plastic has great value and is essential to modern
reliable and skilled workforce and a business-friendly
life. NOVA Chemicals is committed to finding new ways
to capture its value beyond its first use to drive a environment. We are very excited to have joined the
plastics circular economy. “This partnership with business community of South Carolina and Newberry
Merlin and our forthcoming suite of PCR-containing County and look forward to being contributing
resins will help meet our customer and brand owner members of our community for years to come.”
needs and expand high-quality PCR supply for use in Designed to serve existing clients in South Carolina,
consumer packaging.” Merlin Plastics also runs a KRA Operations will perform metal stamping and
container sortation plant in Gifford, BC. This facility
sorts the materials collected from the curbside blue injection molding processes at its new U.S. facility
bins in BC and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest get located in Mid-Carolina Commerce Park. The new
sorted into their respective streams. The Delta 110,000-square-foot facility is fully operational. “Our
processing plant converts various plastic container talented workforce in South Carolina has established a
packaging into recycled plastic pellet. Merlin Plastics reputation as one of the best in the world,” said Gov.
president Tony Moucachen said: “We are excited to Henry McMaster. “This investment shows KRA
combine our three decades of recycling experience Operations, LLC's commitment to the people of South
with NOVA Chemicals' industry knowledge and Carolina, and we look forward to seeing the positive
technical expertise to expand the supply of high-value
polyethylene PCR in the marketplace. “With this impact this company will have in Newberry County and
throughout the state.” The South Carolina
agreement, we will be able to turn more recycled
plastic packaging into valuable new source material for Coordinating Council for Economic Development has
consumer products and packaging.” In May, NOVA approved job development credits related to the
Chemicals partnered with waste to renewable fuels project. A $400,000 Set-Aside grant was also awarded
and chemicals producer Enerkem to find a new way to to Newberry County to assist with costs of site
recycle plastic waste.
preparation and building construction.

September 2020 32 Plastics News