One of the largest plastic recycling companies in North America has opened a new Engineering and Technology Center.
On Oct. 22, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative stormwater and on-site septic wastewater solutions that last year recycled 540 million pounds of plastic, celebrated the opening of its new $65 million, 110,000-square-foot research and testing facility in Hilliard, Ohio, near its headquarters. According to the company, it’s the largest stormwater engineering center in the world.
Features of the new center include:
- A product development lab focused on the full range of a product’s lifecycle.
- A 90,000 gallon, closed-loop recyclable water system allowing ADS to replicate real-world conditions by sending water through products under scenarios that the company can alter and control.
- A hydraulics lab that supports ADS’ water treatment businesses including separation, traditional filtration and low-impact development filtration.
- An advanced technology lab for manufacturing, controls and engineering prototyping.
- Materials-science laboratories providing extensive performance-based materials test capability.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted projected the facility will create 200 new jobs in the state.
“The ADS Engineering and Technology Center is dedicated to product engineering, materials science –– including recycled plastics –– and manufacturing technologies with the express purpose of developing advanced stormwater solutions that manage water and protect our communities,” ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour said. “Bringing our team of engineers, scientists, and technicians together in this state-of-the-art facility allows new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in how we design and develop products, materials and manufacturing technologies to meet the stormwater management needs of customers and communities.”
Strengthening the recycled plastic supply chain
