PolyKinetix defends Massillon, OH facility as safe recycling solution

By Farah Siddiqi

The CEO of PolyKinetix said the company’s new facility in Massillon, Ohio, is designed to provide jobs and reduce waste, pushing back against environmental groups who question the project’s safety and transparency.

Bill Ullom said his company is focused on converting hard-to-recycle materials, including styrofoam, into pellets and liquid products which can be used in manufacturing.

"For every ton of that material that is taken out of that recycling system, where it's being landfilled or openly dumped or burned, that's a ton of that material that is not exposed to chemical and physical erosion that creates microplastics and nanoplastics that are so harmful," Ullom explained.

Ullom added he previously served as founder and chief technology officer of Vadxx Energy. Its assets were acquired by Alterra Energy in 2019. He said he has no ownership or role with Alterra and his prior work does not relate to PolyKinetix. Ullom pointed out the company has invited the Canton Air Pollution Control Authority to inspect its new facility and officials confirmed to him no environmental permits were required for the processes underway at the plant.

He stressed PolyKinetix aims to grow responsibly, building out in phases and avoiding debt while creating jobs in Massillon.

"All we can do is do our part within our scope of ability," Ullom emphasized. "We’re not trying to solve every problem, but we're trying to improve what we can improve."

Environmental advocates countered plastic recycling facilities often fail and may create more pollution than they prevent. PolyKinetix said it is operating at partial capacity with plans to expand. The company maintained its process does not involve burning plastics, while critics continue to press for more transparency about its long-term effects.