Insulfoam, a division of Carlisle Construction Materials, plans to hire new workers so that it can start manufacturing its polystyrene products in western Pennsylvania this summer. Production will take place in Smithfield in a facility that's already used by another Carlisle Construction division, Hunter Panels. The new location about an hour's drive south of Pittsburgh, will be the only Insulfoam plant in the Northeast and will allow the company easy access to Midwest, New England, and Mid-Atlantic markets.

"It's so light and so bulky that we use the phrase 'shipping air' a lot," Carlisle Construction spokesman Rob Reale says.

Insulfoam's products are primarily used in construction, for purposes like roofing and wall insulation. They can also be found in hot tubs and under highway ramps. Reale says the material is eco-friendly because excess foam is recycled within the plant. It also plays a big role in reducing energy use in facilities.