A Pennsylvania plastics packaging company that does its global research and development in northwest Ohio is looking to increase its presence here.

Tekni-Plex Inc. is considering plans to add 32,000 square feet of manufacturing space to its existing R&D lab in Springfield Township. The expansion could create 25 jobs.

Local economic development officials say the company has yet to make a formal decision on the project, although a March news release from Tekni-Plex indicated that the company expects to go forward with an expansion.

Officials with Tekni-Plex, based near Philadelphia, did not respond to multiple interview requests Thursday.

On Thursday, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority approved a $4.5 million financing package through the port’s bond fund that would cover the cost of an expansion and pay off the mortgage on the company’s existing building.

Under the agreement, the port authority would take ownership of the building and lease it back to Tekni-Plex for at least 15 years, said Paul Toth, the authority’s president and chief executive officer.

Tekni-Plex makes a variety of packaging products for food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods, as well as high-precision medical tubing used to deliver medication and intravenous fluid. The company is a leading manufacturer of packing for over-the-counter medicine and claims to be the nation’s No 1. supplier of foam egg cartons.

The company opened its Springfield Township facility, at 1445 Timberwold Dr., in 2011.

Company officials said the center would help expedite product development across every industry it serves.

“It’s a neat little company,” Mr. Toth said. “It’s very high tech. It’s been mostly R&D here and they’re actually contemplating bringing manufacturing to northwest Ohio.”

The proposed expansion would double the size of the company’s building, where there are about 30 employees.

“Based on the timeline they’ve discussed with us, it looks like they want to get this under construction as soon as possible once they make a commitment to Ohio,” Mr. Toth said.

Tekni-Plex announced a new line of barrier films for pharmaceutical and medical device packaging in March. The company said it intended to produce the materials in Springfield Township,

“By combining our global manufacturing footprint with the latest technology, we create a seamless supply source for both our multinational pharmaceutical customers, as well as those with more regional requirements,” David Andrulonis, vice president and general manager of flexible packaging at Tekni-Plex, said in a statement in March. “As a result of the decision to create the new Ohio manufacturing facility, Tekni-Plex will begin tapering off production at its Somerville, N.J. plant by mid-year.”

The company reports annual sales of about $620 million and has more than 2,200 employees globally.

 

toledoblade.com

 

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