By Warren Scott, The Weirton Daily Times
FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. — A conference room at the Bluewave Center was filled Tuesday evening with about 70 people who came to hear about the proposed establishment of a plastics recycling plant in the city, ask questions and express concerns.
Empire Diversified Energy called the informational meeting, at the request of Mayor David Velegol Jr., after applying for a permit from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Air Quality to operate the plant on property formerly occupied by the Koppers plant at the city’s north end.
The project also awaits approval of building permits by Follansbee Council, which could come at a special meeting this month or in January.
On Tuesday, Bernard Brown, chief officer of operations for the company, said the plant will use a process called pyrolysis to convert plastic waste into synthetic gas used to fuel electric generators for the company’s other operations, such as a planned pig iron plant using metal recovered from grounds once occupied by a steel mill.
Brown said pyrolysis isn’t incineration, while acknowledging some disagree on that point, but involves decomposing materials under intense heat in the absence of oxygen.
He noted West Virginia is one of 24 states to classify pyrolysis as a form of advanced recycling through House Bill 4084.
Brown said the plant will be able to process up to 70 tons of plastics per day, with the material to include seven types of plastics, including PVC.
