Clear Path Recycling LLC (CPR), a joint venture company established by the carpet manufacturer Shaw Industries Group Inc. and DAK Americas LLC, a plastic resin producer, has announced the completion of the first phase of its PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycling facility in Fayetteville, N.C.

The plant produces recycled PET (RPET) flake from post-consumer PET bottles. Shaw and DAK will be the primary users of the finished product, with the remaining product being sold to various merchants. With the completion of the first phase of the project, the plant has the capability to recycle up to 160 million pounds of PET bottles per year, according to a press release from CPR. .

"The startup of the facility is a milestone for CPR and its parent companies in their sustainability initiative of reducing environmental impact while creating a viable product for use in their product offerings," says Ron Salati, CPR vice president of administration and commercial sales.

"The recycled PET produced by Clear Path will give us even greater ability to provide our customers with the attractive, durable and environmentally responsible flooring they desire," says Vance Bell, CEO of Shaw Industries Group. "This venture is testimony to Shaw's ongoing commitment to sustainability through innovation and will move us towards an even more sustainable future," he adds.

"Today's celebration of the creation of Clear Path Recycling with our partners at Shaw continues DAK Americas' commitment to the polyester value chain and our goal of being a sustainable company," says Hector Camberos, president and CEO of DAK Americas. "With Shaw, we are proud to be the owners of this state-of-the-art facility as well as the fact that we are able to continue to grow the Cedar Creek site (the location of the recycling facility). For our business, Clear Path Recycling will provide us the recycled product and the foundation to incorporate the use of recycled PET flake into our PET resins and polyester staple fiber offerings."

DAK and Shaw announced the formation of CPR in April 2009. Construction began soon after. Future plans for the facility will increase processing capacity to 280 million pounds per year, which, according to CPR, would make the plant the largest recycling facility in North America.

Source:Recycling Today Staff