North Carolina, Georgia Set Pace in Plastics Growth

Industry observers say North Carolina's rapid growth in plastics is attributable to a variety of factors, including an emerging OEM base in the South, the state's geographic position, its paucity of unions, competitive taxation policies and an excellent road system. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T University both offer strong chemical engineering programs. And the state has one of the nation's strongest community college systems with 59 campuses. The plastics and rubber industries employ more than 50,000 in North Carolina, nearly 7 percent of the state's work force. In 2001, there were about 800 plastics, chemicals and rubber facilities in the state.
        A region stretching north and east from Charlotte to Greensboro is the state's largest cluster, while a growing center of activity is in the Rutherford-Burke-Caldwell corridor in Western North Carolina.
        Impressive plastics industry growth can also be found in Georgia, with a 30 percent increase in shipments over the last five years. About 600 companies employ 40,000 and accounted for $11.7 billion in shipments, ranking the state 11th in 2000. The Atlanta area fits the definition of a plastics cluster with development spiking outward along Interstate highways.
        "Georgia has made an aggressive effort to attract plastics companies," says William T. Thielemann, director of plastics training for Georgia Quick Start, a project of the Georgia Dept. of Technical & Adult Education.
        Thielemann directs an effort to develop a trained plastics work force in the state through Georgia's 34 technical colleges.
        A prime example of recent plastics development in Georgia is SKC, a vertically integrated manufacturer of polyester film used for magnetic media, packaging applications, imaging, electrical applications and other industrial products. The initial $450-million investment in Covington, Ga., is one of the state's largest investments. Current annual capacity is more than 100 million pounds. When all three phases are completed, it will be the largest plant of its kind.

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