Brightmark invests $950 million to build plastics circularity center in Georgia
Brightmark LLC has announced plans to open a circularity center in Thomaston, Georgia. The company, which specializes in circular innovation, will invest $950 million into the project, which will generate 200 new jobs for the area. The 2.5 million-square-foot facility will have the capacity to repurpose over 400,000 tons of plastic per year. According to the company, Brightmark's Plastics Renewal technology allows used plastic to be converted into materials to create new circular plastic products. The company claims that even hard-to-recycle plastics from a variety of sources can be repurposed on a large scale.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Brightmark Founder and CEO and Georgia native, Bob Powell, said, "Over the years, Brightmark has invested heavily in talent and innovation required to build and refine a circular solution capable of tackling one of the most complex issues of our time: recycling. This investment in Georgia represents a commitment to supporting economic longevity and playing an integral role in building a sustainable future together in my home state. We're thrilled to be able to offer a circular solution that will make a positive environmental and economic impact on a region so near and dear to my heart."
Norman Allen, Chairman, Upson County Board of Commissioners, added, "I am excited to welcome Brightmark to Upson County. Bringing diverse industries to Upson has been a priority for some time and I'm proud of our efforts to bring this project home. Over the last year and a half, Brightmark has demonstrated a strong desire to become a collaborative partner and responsible steward of the local environment. I have visited their plant in Ashley, Indiana and was impressed by what I saw. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this happen. This is a huge win!"
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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