North America's largest plastics recycling company builds $65 million technology center to promote s

        Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), recently ranked as the largest plastics recycler in North America, is investing $65 million in an advanced technology center near its headquarters in Hilliard, Ohio. The 110,000-square-foot building will serve as a LEED Silver-certified showcase for the advancement of sustainable solutions. Construction is expected to begin in October and open in late 2023.

        “The ADS Engineering Technology Center will be the world’s most advanced center for stormwater engineering, dedicated to product engineering, materials science (including recycled plastics), and manufacturing technologies,” said Scott Barbour, president and CEO of ADS. “This new facility will accelerate our development of products designed to capture, transport, store and treat our most precious resource – water.” Recycled plastics will feature prominently in the center’s mission to “improve the quality of life in communities across North America,” he added.

        ADS will establish multiple laboratories at the center to consolidate all of its manufacturing engineering development, product development and testing, including:

• A product development laboratory focused on the product life cycle;

• A manufacturing laboratory to develop prototype parts and test fixtures;

• A laboratory to analyze the performance of prototype structures;

• A 3D printing laboratory for rapid concept development and review;

• A hydraulics laboratory to support ADS’ water treatment operations, including separation, conventional filtration, and low-impact development filtration;

• An advanced manufacturing and engineering prototyping technology laboratory;

• A hydraulics laboratory to support ADS’ water treatment operations, including separation, conventional filtration, and low-impact development filtration.

        “These state-of-the-art new labs will develop innovative products that will sustain our environment, reduce plastics in landfills, and create high-demand jobs in the Columbus region,” said J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of Jobs Ohio. Private economic development corporation JobsOhio and regional partner One Columbus helped ADS select the site for the facility and worked with stakeholders in the region to kick off the project.

        The use of LEED building techniques "supports our commitment to sustainability and advances ADS' progress toward its 10-year sustainability goals," Barbour said. "The design of the facility will also allow for safe observation of the exciting products and technologies that have made ADS a world-leading provider of stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions."