Ecopol, a European leader in the production of biodegradable PVA film, will establish its first North American facility in Spalding County, Georgia. The $38 million project is expected to create 130 jobs.

The site will be located at The Lakes at Green Valley, an eco-industrial park in Griffin. Construction within The Lakes requires all projects to achieve a certain “eco” rating from the Griffin-Spalding Development Authority, which provides a standard rating system for environmentally sustainable construction.

“Our goal was to identify a suitable property with nearby interstate and international airport access, a favorable utility environment, a talented regional labor force, and an economic development team that would be supportive of this strategic project now and in the future,” said Mauro Carbone, CEO of Ecopol, highlighting what the company was looking for in a new community. “With the assistance of our location consultant, we performed a thorough analysis of numerous properties and communities in the southeastern U.S., and we are confident that we found a great home in The Lakes at Green Valley eco-industrial park in Griffin, Georgia.”

Italy-based Ecopol was established in 2009 with the goal of helping to safeguard the unique landscape of Tuscany by reducing the utilization of plastics and carbon emissions. The company manufactures water-soluble and biodegradable film used to wrap everyday products such as detergents, agrochemicals, cosmetics, and other consumer goods.

“Ecopol is an exciting addition to Georgia’s community of innovative companies dedicated to keeping unnecessary waste out of landfills, waterways, and the ocean using sustainable technology and solutions,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “The quality of our teams and their commitment to working with companies has made Georgia an attractive location for exciting and impactful projects like Ecopol, and we look forward to them joining the more than 90 Italian companies already in Georgia.”

Project Manager Kasey Smith represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on the project in partnership with the Griffin-Spalding Development Authority, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia Power.

“Environmental sustainability was a key objective in the development of the Lakes at Green Valley,” said Chuck Copeland, Chair, Griffin-Spalding Development Authority. “We are very happy to welcome another international company to our park whose product and processes align with that vision.”