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Waste management company and recycler have opened a Polymer Center in Indianapolis, which will sort and recycle plastic waste, co-locating material recovery functions with recycling functions.

"The opening of the first Polymer Center-Blue Polymers complex is a significant milestone in advancing circularity for plastic packaging in Indiana and across the region," says Jon Vander Ark, Republic Services president and chief executive officer.

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The Indianapolis Polymer Center and Blue Polymers facilities are designed to work together to produce more than 175 million pounds annually of recycled plastics for use in food-grade packaging and other applications. The Polymer Center is owned and operated by Republic Services, and Republic is a joint-venture partner in Blue Polymers.

The Polymer Center will process recycled plastics collected  in Indiana and nearby states, including PET, HDPE and polypropylene. PET will be shredded and washed to produce recycled PET (rPET) flake. The HDPE and polypropylene will be sorted by color and type then sent to Blue Polymers to be compounded, blended and pelletized, creating custom drop-in solutions for customers.

designed the dual line system for the Polymer Center, comprised of a mixed plastics line and a PET line. Equipment includes the WireX machine for bale opening and the STT2000 ballistic separator for sorting.

“The new Indianapolis Polymer Center is a testament to Stadler’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the U.S. recycling industry, contributing to the development of a plastics circular economy,” stated Jürgen Berger, head of international sales at Stadler.

Republic Services and Blue Polymers are developing a network of plastics recycling facilities for nationwide coverage. A Republic Services Polymer Center opened in late 2023 in Las Vegas, also a collaboration with Stadler. A second Blue Polymers facility is scheduled to open later this year in Buckeye, Arizona. Another Polymer Center-Blue Polymers complex is in development in the Northeastern U.S.

The Indianapolis recycling complex includes two buildings totaling approximately 300,000 square feet. Together, the two operations are expected to create about 125 local jobs.

The project received support through a grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Central Indiana Waste Diversion Pilot Project; tax credits from the City of Indianapolis in conjunction with Develop Indy, the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development and Employ Indy; Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) incentive-based tax credits, based on the company's investment and job creation plans; and IEDC Hoosier Business Investment tax credits, designed to help companies invest in smart manufacturing and new technologies.