Origin Materials eyes $750-million bioplastic precursor plant

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In Ascension Parish, Louisiana, biobased materials firm Origin Materials is planning to build its second manufacturing plant. 

Although the project is still subject to finalization of an economic incentives package, Origin says the plant, dubbed Origin 2, would produce biobased chloromethyl furfural, a precursor to high-volume plastic polyethylene terephthalate. 

The 150-acre facility would create an estimated 500 construction jobs, 200 local full-time positions, and between 500 and 1,000 indirect local jobs. The plant would convert an estimated 1 million dry metric tons of wood residues annually and be operational mid-2025.

According to Louisiana Economic Development, the plant will require an investment of at least $750 million. Pending state and local incentives are estimated to be worth more than $100 million. In addition, a Private Activity Bond volume cap allocation from the State of Louisiana, pending finalization, is expected in the amount of at least $400 million.