Funding supports new plastics manufacturing company in Corner Brook

A new Corner Brook company has received help from the provincial government to produce specialized "lumber" products from recycled plastics. Nova Plastic Products has received a loan of $200,000 from the Department of Development and Rural Renewal as a contribution to the $2.6 million initiative. Thirty-five to 40 new jobs are expected to be created by the new company.

The announcement was made today by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal.

"This new facility represents the beginning of a new export-based industry for Newfoundland and Labrador -- the manufacture of various lumber products using non-traditional materials" said Minister Tulk, adding that it complements the established sawmill industry and allows the province to enter new niche markets with products that are not presently manufactured in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"This new plant is a further example of how the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador is being diversified," said Minister Tulk. "Mr. Charles Flight started Nova Recycling 10 years ago as the province�s first paper and plastic recycling business. That industry has grown at more than 20 per cent a year since then and I am happy that we are now able to help Mr. Flight start another industry on the west coast of Newfoundland."

"We are seeing the birth of an environmental industry for niche manufacturing markets. This demonstrates what the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Growth was told during its public consultations -- that there are development opportunities in emerging new sectors of the economy and that we can compete with our entrepreneurial abilities and skills."

In 10 years of operations Nova Recycling has built up a stockpile of heavy plastics that will form the raw material for the new company�s first product, flooring slats for the livestock industry in Ontario. Nova Plastic Products will be using proven technology to produce its new products and has purchased a special computer controlled moulding machine. Typical products manufactured will be industrial flooring, decking, wharves, picnic tables and recreational furniture.

Media contact : Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570.

2000 05 18                                                             1:35 p.m.