Polyplex USA announced plans to invest more than $90.6 million to expand production at its Decatur facility of specialized polyester film in a project that will create 100 jobs when complete.

Polyplex plans to add a second biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) film line at the Alabama plant, with an additional investment to create matching capacity for captive resin. BOPET is used in packaging, electrical and other industrial applications.

Amit Kalra, president of Polyplex USA, said the growth project will solidify the company’s leadership position in the U.S. market.

“We are eager to leverage our existing operations, our strong ties to our customers, to our communities and, of course, to the expertise of our operations team as evidenced by our successful expansions in other locations,” Kalra said. “We have a well-established sales and distribution system and hope to continue to provide additional value to our customers with a cost-effective, faster turnaround and increased reliability of supplies.”

Once the expansion project is complete, Polyplex’s Decatur facility will have the largest-capacity BOPET film line in the world.

“Alabama is a welcoming home to companies from around the world, and it’s great to see that Polyplex is including Decatur in its growth plans,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “Polyplex is making a significant investment in its Morgan County facility and solidifying its presence there with 100 new jobs.”

Economic impact

Polyplex said construction at the facility is scheduled to begin during the first half of 2021, with production expected to begin by the end of 2022.

Polyplex USA is investing more than $90 million to expand production of a specialized polyester film at its plant in Decatur. The project will create 100 jobs. (Polyplex)

“Polyplex’s reinvestment in its Decatur facility shows that the company has a high level of confidence in its Alabama workforce and in the future prospects of its Morgan County operation,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Kalra said the expansion will tap into the growing shift toward local supply in regional markets. It will also make Polyplex USA’s cost structure more efficient with a two-line configuration, metallizing and captive resin manufacturing.

“This investment will significantly reduce the overall unit cost and provide a more robust value proposition to the industry,” Kalra said.

State Sen. Arthur Orr, who is chairman of the Morgan County Economic Development Association, said Polyplex’s decision to expand in Decatur will provide a major boost to the area economy.

“This is a huge investment, and the addition of new jobs is certainly good news for the people of our community,” Orr said.

Local officials welcomed Polyplex’s growth plans.

“This expansion solidifies Polyplex’s presence in Decatur, and we are grateful that their leaders recognize our community as a prime location for their continued growth,” Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said.

“This large investment and additional job creation will benefit Morgan County for years to come,” said Ray Long, chairman of the Morgan County Commission. “This announcement lets others know that our community is a favorable place to start and grow a business.”

The project was supported by the state of Alabama, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the city of Decatur, the Morgan County Commission and local officials.

Founded in India in 1984, Polyplex operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in India, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas.

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.