Area Development
Richmond, Ind.-based Primex Plastics Corporation has aggressively joined the fight against the COVID-19 virus by engaging its three divisions in producing vital materials for first responders and medical professionals in New Jersey and Indiana.

Primex Plastics, a subsidiary of ICC Industries, Inc., is the largest extruder of custom polystyrene sheet in the industry, ranging from monolayer sheet to tri-layer co-extrusion. In addition to its extrusion business, Primex is the parent company of Primex Design & Fabrication and Primex Color, Compounding & Additives.

In less than 24 hours, Primex Color, Compounding & Additives in Garfield, N.J. developed and started manufacturing a compound that is used to produce plastic vials for COVID-19 test kits. In addition, Primex’s extrusion division is producing clear plastic sheet needed to manufacture face shields.

In conjunction with Richmond’s Reid Health, Primex Design & Fabrication, designed and began producing replacement face shields for Reid’s bio helmets that protect clinical staff. In a press release Reid described PDF’s effort as an “Apollo 13 moment” where an unorthodox solution saved the moment.

PDF has also developed stand-alone shields, the PrimexProtect shield and expects to go to production this week. “Our shield helps medical personnel and others on the front line conserve their critical N95 masks by adding an extra layer of protection,” according to the feedback from Reid.

The Richmond, Ind.-based company was able to quickly gear up in several ways after President Mike Cramer “made it clear to our groups to expend every effort to support our communities and the country in these demanding times,” according to Business Unit Director Doug Borgsdorf. And all three divisions of the Primex “One Company” quickly responded.

Darin Dubbs, director of human resources at Primex, said this was a bright spot during a very trying time we are all facing today. "This time is not about business. It is a time of unity," he said. "Our ability to help in the crisis has been uplifting to the employees at Primex.”

“All three divisions of Primex stepped up quickly and demonstrated their ability to solve problems,” said Borgsdorf. “It’s times like these that our employees show their true colors. We’re proud to be engaged in the fight against this terrible virus.”