Axium launching $75M in expansions for recycling, molding

Axium Packaging Inc.'s ambitious growth plans are continuing with two new plants in the works.

The packaging giant is constructing a 120,000-square-foot, $45 million recycling facility at its headquarters campus in New Albany, Ohio, and is planning its 19th North American plant, this one to make containers, in Archdale, N.C.

The injection and blow molder is investing more than $30 million to build and equip the 150,000-square-foot North Carolina facility, which is expected to create more than 100 jobs over three years, according to a recent news release from state development officials.

The plant should open next year, Axium President Paul Judge said in the release.

The recycling plant's launch has been delayed at least twice: It originally was expected to open last year, then the opening was set for January. Development officials said it still hadn't opened as of early March.

According to the New Albany Economic Development, "the facility is designed to separate, break down, clean and convert recycled waste into PCR [post-consumer recycled] pellets for future manufacturing needs. The building design features an elevated observation area for corporate and educational tours of the recycling process."

Axium is calling the operation and recycled material Vertix. The plant, on 24 acres, will convert 50 million pounds of plastic a year into recyclate that can be made into bottles and other packaging, NAED said.

The molder also has purchased 83 nearby acres, separate from its headquarters campus, for future expansion, according to Columbus Business First.

Axium officials could not be reached for comment.

Axium originally was based in Canada, where it still has two plants in Mississauga, Ontario. It has relocated the headquarters to New Albany, where it built its first U.S. plant in 2011. It now has eight facilities employing more than 1,000 in the Columbus suburb of about 11,000 residents.

All told, Axium employs more than 3,000 in North America.

The company injection blow molds a range of items from small vials to heavy-wall containers out of low and high density polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. It uses single-stage injection stretch blow molding machines of different sizes to perform beta testing of tools, and can run production tools ranging from small jobs up to 40 cavities.

Its customers include Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Bath & Body Works and Unilever.

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