Do you ever wonder what happens to plastic bottles once they are recycled? In Rome and Floyd County, this process occurs at Marglen Industries, Inc. By using recycled bottles as raw material, Marglen manufactures fiber used for carpet. The company, which began in 1972, recently purchased a Vacurema Advanced extrusion system which turns recycled bottles into plastic pellets. The pellets are then used to produce packaging materials. Marglen’s investment in the extrusion system is already providing Marglen a diverse market for new customers.

The recycled bottles that enter Marglen’s facility are sorted, cleaned and shredded to create plastic flakes. The flakes are then melted by extruders to create fiber. The fiber is then sold and turned into yarn for carpet. Marglen uses more than two billion bottles each year to produce 90 million pounds of fiber. John Burnes, President of Marglen Industries, Inc. explains, “We began to realize that our fiber product was specific to one industry and researched ways to diversify what we can produce.” With the pellets produced from the new extrusion system, packaging products like plastic “to-go” boxes at restaurants and secure packaging for electronics can be produced. Many beverage companies are also beginning to use recycled plastic to produce bottles. “The possibilities are limitless in this market,” says Burnes. “This will greatly diversify our options for business.”

Marglen purchases raw material locally from the Rome/Floyd County Recycling Center and from locations throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and South America. “We have a real challenge with the source of our raw material,” says Burnes. “We need more people to recycle.” Between 1992 and 2002 the production of plastic bottles doubled, but the recycling rate did not increase. “There are not enough convenient public places to recycle. Most people throw their bottles away and they end up in a landfill.” Recycling not only benefits the environment, it also supports businesses and the local economy.

The Vacurema Advanced extrusion system began production in August and Marglen is working to confirm contracts with potential manufacturers. “There is a very detailed approval process when working with recycled material used for food-grade packaging products. We are working with manufacturers to ensure that we meet all guidelines,” says Barnes. The new machine will produce 25 million pounds per year and Burnes plans to increase that production in the future. “We are now well positioned in a new market. If anything happens to the carpet industry, we have insurance,” explains Burnes.

Marglen Industries has been involved with the Chamber for more than 30 years. Burnes elaborates, “We want to be a good corporate citizen. What’s good for Rome is good for Marglen and the Chamber plays a huge part in growing and improving our community.”
To learn more about Marglen Industries, Inc., search the Chamber’s Business Directory at www.romega.com.