MOUNT VERNON — Governor JB Pritzker arrived in Mt. Vernon Thursday morning, to announce Manner Polymers will be opening a new manufacturing facility in Mount Vernon that will bring 60 good-paying jobs to the region.
Known as an industrial manufacturing leader in polymer compounds, Manner Polymers’ new state-of-the-art Illinois facility will manufacture a wide array of PVC compounds,
including automotive PVC compounds for use in electric vehicles (EVs) and components for solar panels.
The facility will be powered by a 15-acre solar field located on-site. Bolstered by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) incentive package, Manner Polymers plans to invest $54 million and create more than 60 jobs for the Southern Illinois region.
Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis said he’s thrilled Manner Polymers has chosen to locate in Mount Vernon, and told the crowd gathered at the Double Tree Hotel in Mt. Vernon the project is truly a collaborative effort that would not have been possible without Governor Pritzker’s support and commitment to creating jobs and boosting economic development in downstate communities.
Manner Polymers is one of North America’s largest flexible PVC compounders serving a broad range of markets including automotive, appliance, construction, telecommunications, industrial, medical and agriculture. Its new 80,000-square-foot Illinois facility will feature the most advanced manufacturing control systems available, with production expected to commence in the fall of 2025.
Once in full operation, the new facility will increase the company’s production capacity by 100 million pounds – further strengthening the domestic supply chain for a litany of industries.
CEO of Manner Polymers, Raj Bhargava told the crowd that not only will the company incorporate the most advanced manufacturing control systems available, but we will also produce substantially all of the electricity they use. He said their objective is to build the lowest cost, highest quality, most environmentally sustainable flexible PVC compounding plant in the world.
“Jefferson County and Illinois beat out some tough competitors to win this project,” said Intersect Illinois CEO Dan Seals. “We are pleased to welcome Manner Polymers’ transformational manufacturing facility to our state.”
The facility will be built directly behind Continental Tire, moving forward with the planned growth of the industrial area. The state’s addition of a rail spur at that location was one of the deciding factors for Manner Polymers to locate its newest state of the art facility in Mt. Vernon
REV Illinois is designed to bolster Illinois manufacturing—already a top destination for electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S.—and grow the clean energy ecosystem. REV Illinois offers competitive incentives to expand or locate in Illinois for companies that manufacture EVs, parts or components for EVs and other clean energy sectors.
Manner Polymers is the second recipient of a REV incentive package; details of the agreement can be found here.