Rubber and Plastics in Alabama

The plastics and rubber product industry is well-positioned for growth, employing almost 15,000 Alabamians in 2006; about half in rubber and half in plastics. Employment projections continue to indicate a positive trend.  Alabama’s growing automotive industry has significantly contributed to the growth in this sector.

Exports grew 27 percent from 2005 to 2006. More than $230 million was invested in new or expanding facilities for companies in the rubber and plastics sector during the past four years.

Alabama is home to four major tire manufacturing plants (three Michelin, one Goodyear) employing more than 3,000.

In Alabama, the defining aspect of rubber and plastics is product diversity. While this sector's role often makes automotive headlines, companies quietly but successfully turn out a variety of products. Examples include:

  • Saudi-owned SABIC Innovative Plastics makes Lexan, a polycarbonate, in pellet or resin form used worldwide to make products for a range of industries including appliances, automotive, sporting goods and consumer electronics. Former owner GE Plastics invested close to $1 billion in several expansions at the Lowndes County facility.
  • Sejin Alabama makes injection-molded products for Hyundai in Alabama and the new Kia plant in Georgia. Sejin invest $30 million in a factory that opened 2008 in Dadeville.
  • Janson Seals and Sleeves produces tamper-resistant seals for food near Auburn.
  • Triton Polymer Matrix (composite group) makes high- tech plastics for the defense industry near Birmingham.
  • Lone Star Plastics makes polyethylene plastic bags, box liners and other packaging materials near Prattville.

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