October 27, 2008
RJLG Receives $2.5 Million towards Tire Recycling Plant Construction in Greene County
RJLG has received $2.5 million from the state's Redevelopment
Assistance Capital Program to be used towards building a
cutting-edge tire depolymerization plant in Cumberland Township.
During a presentation on October 24 at RJLG's EverGreene Technology
Park facility, Dr. Richard Lee, president, accepted a ceremonial
check for monies that will be applied toward construction of the
plant at Paisley Industrial Park.
David Crawford, director of the project, said groundbreaking for
the 40,000-square-foot building could begin within three to six
months. He said the plant will be designed to process 25 tons of
waste tires per day, with the potential for future expansion. "The
project is expected to create 35 to 40 jobs, in addition to
hundreds of spin-off job opportunities that will result from RJLG's
private investment," he said.
The process involves heating the shredded tires and adding a
catalyst to break down the tire material into its various
components. The end products are a heating oil; carbon black, a
material used to produce new tires and other rubber products; and a
gas with a high heating value that can be used in the recycling
process. The plant will use only shredded tires. No whole tires
will be stored on-site. More than one gallon of number 2 grade fuel
oil is produced from each tire, making the process economically
viable.
Allen Kukovich, representing Governor Ed Rendell at the event,
said the project "ties in with the governor's renewable energy
plan, and this is about as green as you can get."
State Senator J. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, who, along with
state Rep. Bill DeWeese, helped secure the initial funding, said,
"With this facility, we can put these tires to good use by
generating energy for our homes and businesses instead of leaving
them as they now are as contaminates to our groundwater, fire
hazards and breeding grounds for insects."
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is administered by
the Governor's Office of the Budget for the acquisition and
construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and historical
improvement projects. Grants are made to local municipalities,
public authorities and economic development organizations.
The Cumberland Township operation would be similar to the one RJLG
presently is using in Berthold, N.D. The Company has taken tires
from a tire dump in Perry Township, known as the Kiger tire pile,
to its North Dakota plant for processing. For more information,
visit www.deltaenergy.com.
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