Revolution expands blown film capacity

Little Rock, Arkansas-based Revolution, a recycler of polyethylene film and a manufacturer of film products for the agricultural, industrial and commercial and consumer markets, has announced it will invest more than $20 million to expand its 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the Port of Little Rock in Arkansas by 36,000 square feet.

The expansion will allow Revolution to continue growing its product line of polyethylene products, including construction film and sheeting, agriculture film, silo and dairy bags and geomembrane film, made from recycled plastics by adding two new blown film lines. The new lines will be able to produce more than 40 million pounds (20,000 tons) of film products annually. This added capacity is specifically designed to manufacture film that incorporates high levels of postconsumer recycled plastic, according to the company.

Revolution says it expects to create more than 60 new jobs within the next two years through the expansion, bringing total employment at the facility to more than 350 people.

For more than 20 years, Revolution has been collecting used agriculture film and turning it into new plastic products. The company also is a founding “activator” of the recently formed U.S. Plastics Pact, which aims to make all plastic packaging 100 percent reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

“The partnerships we formed and the support we have received at the local and state levels for this expansion project is a testament to the strength of the Little Rock community and the great state of Arkansas,” says Sean Whiteley, CEO of Revolution. “We are grateful to work with such exceptional people who are committed to economic growth and environmentally sustainable business solutions. Based on increased business demand, strong customer relationships and our strategic growth plan, the time is right to move forward with this major expansion.”

The facility expansion is the culmination of several years of growth as Revolution has increased its presence in new markets, such as the Upper Midwest and California, where large concentrations of dairy and agriculture plastics are used, according to the company. Revolution collects and recycles 200 million pounds (100,000 tons) of material each year, and the company says it plans to expand its product offering in these growing markets with the added capacity from the new lines.

Revolution’s brands include Delta Plastics, Revolution Bag, Revolution Ag, Rodeo Plastics and Command, which are made using postconsumer resins.