AGRORENEW PLANT GROUNDBREAKING

Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7:55 AM

Construction is underway on the worlds first purpose-built melons-to-plastic manufacturing plant in Knox County Indiana.

Area, county, civic and other dignitaries along with AgroRenew company officials were on hand Wednesday morning to break ground for the new 196,000 square foot facility located on East Elkhorn Road south of Vincennes. It is expected to produce over 2 million pounds per day of 100% biodegradable plastic made from melon crop waste. The plastic pellets will then be shipped to finishing plants where they will be transformed into a variety of finished products such as straws, plastic bags and other plastic packaging. Construction is expected to be complete in 2026, though the company will begin producing and shipping product in 2025. Hiring for plant leadership, science and engineering positions will begin late this summer for an anticipated October start followed by hiring for the majority of plant positions late this year. When operating at maximum capacity, the AgroRenewal plant will employ more than 300 people. The company is investing over $80 million into the project.