Westbury’s Valley Central welcomes new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility

Mayor Johnston has joined Polyfoam’s managing director, Simon Picket at the official ground breaking of Polyfoam’s new $10m, 4,000sqm state-of-the-art production facility at Westbury’s Valley Central industrial precinct.

Polyfoam manufactures expanded polystyrene which is used to insulate food and medicines, including the COVID-19 vaccine so these products can be transported safely.

Construction of Polyfoam’s new Westbury facility will be world leading, incorporating re-manufacturing and recycling capability to ensure that a significant amount of used expanded polystyrene product can be diverted from landfill and re-manufactured for use in the building industry.

“Valley Central continues to go from strength to strength and we are proud that this long-standing Tasmanian company has chosen Meander Valley to grow, develop and continue their journey. We also extend a warm welcome to the new staff who will be working right here in Westbury,” Mayor Johnston said.

50 jobs will be created during the construction of the new facility with 18 new ongoing positions needed to run the manufacturing plant.

The new facility will also enable Polyfoam to fully meet the needs of their Tasmanian market without importing any product from interstate.

“This is a great example of how the business sector is pioneering innovative solutions to help drive a more circular economy and it’s a reminder that we can all do something to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill.

“Used polystyrene can be turned into a vast array of new products and while we cannot re-manufacture ourselves at home, we can all take part in establishing our own circular economy habits by recycling polystyrene for free at Council’s waste facilities.

“Every little bit counts and I commend Polyfoam for making the circular economy concept part of their business model and ongoing operations,” Mayor Johnston said.