Plastics Recycler Shifting Some Production to Township Following Fire

Industrial Plastics recycler Coll Materials Inc. is moving ahead with plans to expand into South Whitehall in the aftermath of Tuesday's at Nicos Polymers Group in Plainfield Township

Co-owner Renee Coll said the company, which was in the process of purchasing Nicos Polymers Group, is shifting production to its three locations -- in Ohio, Texas and South Whitehall.

She said some equipment had already been sent to the new plant on Crackersport Road in the township, but she was unsure of the stage of the process at this point.

It was announced last week that Coll Materials Inc. is  into South Whitehall, with a promise to create 75 new jobs, and with financial help from the state.  The company planned to close Nicos and transfer operations to the township site.

Renee Coll said the company, in shifiting production, is trying to make sure that customers' service is not interrupted. 

She said insurance will likely cover the losses, but added, "A lot of stuff is still being sorted out." 

At 5 p.m., crews were getting the fire at Nicos Polymers under control and planned to monitor hot spots throughout the night.

Coll Materials, which was established in 2008, purchases and processes plastic waste from waste haulers, recyclers and landfills, then sells it to plastic manufacturers in flake and pellet form.