Plastics and Chemicals Sector

From resins to vinyl to raw materials, plastics and chemicals are an integral part of everything from everyday life to manufacturing. Surrounded by such giants as Occidental Chemical Corporation and Nexeo Solutions, the Etowah region is an ideal location for chemical and plastics growth. With 213% more plastics and resin manufacturers and an average of 125% more skilled workers than the US national average, this is a perfect new home to produce everything from the smallest chemicals to the largest plastics.

OUR WORKFORCE

Cutting/Punching/Press Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders

Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators

Molding/ Coremaking/ Casting Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders

Laborshed Data

Plastic & Chemical Companies in our Laborshed

42 All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing

16 Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing

9 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing

7 Plastics Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing

7 Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing

17 Paint and Coating Manufacturing

10 Industrial Gas Manufacturing

8 Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing

7 Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing

7 Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing

Plastic & Chemical Companies vs U.S. Average

213% more Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing

119% more All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing

90% more Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing

49% more Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing

37% more Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing

141% more Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing

118% more Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing

53% more Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing

38% more Plastics Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing

21% more Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing

SKILLED LABOR IN OUR LABORSHED

2,858 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

1,439 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

1,111 Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

702 Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

521 Chemical Technicians

1,522 Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic

1,315 Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

836 Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

681 Industrial Engineering Technicians

402 Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

SKILLED LABOR VS U.S. AVERAGE

290% more Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

124% more Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

118% more Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

106% more Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

101% more Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

272% more Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

121% more Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

116% more Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

105% more Materials Engineers

98% more Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic

GROWTH OCCUPATIONS

33% Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic

23% Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

15% Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

12% Industrial Engineering Technicians

10% Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other

31% Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic

18% Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

14% Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

11% Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

8% Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

Area Plastic & Chemical Companies

Occidental Chemical Corporation

Leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda.

Their market position is among the top three producers in the United States for the principal products it manufactures and markets.

Subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation and based in Dallas, TX.

Nexeo Solutions

Global leader in chemical and plastics distribution.

Offers more than 24,000 products across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East from over 1,400 world-class suppliers.

Supplies raw materials used in a broad cross section of industries, including chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, coatings, adhesives, paints, personal care, automotive, and healthcare.

Ascend Performance Materials

World’s largest fully integrated producer of nylon 6,6 resin.

Their Vydyne PA66 resins and compounds are used in everyday essentials around the world, from car engines and sporting equipment to apparel and cable ties.

0% MORE

Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturers

Than the US National Average

0% MORE

Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturers

Than the US National Average

0% MORE

Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturers

Than the US National Average

EDUCATION

Etowah County Career Technical Center

All programs at the Etowah County Career Tech Center are business/industry certified by the Alabama State Department of Education or by private certifying agencies. The trade and industry programs have articulation agreements with all community colleges in Alabama, in which program completers may receive free college credit toward a degree for skills they learned in high school. Many program completers receive scholarships to colleges or technical institutes for continued training and are assisted in future job placement.

Programs at Etowah County Career Technical Center include Engineering Design, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, Automotive Technology, Precision Machining, Welding, Collision Repair, Construction Technology, Early Childhood Education, and Health Science.