Monolith Outlines Project Timeline for Area Residents
The innovative and environmentally clean carbon black manufacturing plant targets mid-2019 operational date
In mid-April, a special town hall meeting was held between Monolith Materials and residents around the Hallam, Neb. area. Representatives of the clean carbon black manufacturing plant shared details about the progress it is making toward constructing its facility within the next two years.
Monolith plans to make the location their worldwide operations headquarters and move current staff from Redwood City, CA, to Lincoln which will add more than 50 new jobs in Nebraska by the end of this year.
By June of 2018, the company expects to have decommissioned its research and development facility in California and begin focusing on the development of the Olive Creek facility outside of Hallam. The research facility has operated the past four years, producing at least 250,000 pounds of carbon black material. Carbon black, is used to make such commonly known products as in ink, tires, and black plastics for computers, phones, etc.
The construction of the commercial manufacturing facility will be completed in phases. Phase one will represent approximately a 10-acre plot, with phase two occupying approximately another 30 acres. Phase one is expected to provide 50 direct and 50 indirect jobs and bring a $70 million total impact to the area. Phase two will involve 15 times the production value, expand to about 100 direct and 500 indirect jobs and offer a $600 million total investment.
Construction will include preparing the site, grading it and developing drainage, followed by piling, paving roads, and pouring the foundation. By the end of this year, Monolith expects major work will be completed and equipment deliveries to begin. The team is focused on a commercial operation date by mid-2019.
The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) plans to purchase the hydrogen produced in Monolith’s manufacturing process as co-product and use it to produce electricity in a new boiler at NPPD’s Sheldon Station, designed for burning the alternative fuel. The generation will increase the amount of carbon-free energy NPPD already provides Nebraskans. NPPD anticipates accepting hydrogen for its process in the 2021-2022 timeframe.
In a local article published after the meeting by the Voice News, Co-founder and CEO Rob Hanson said they look forward to creating a positive economic, environmental and societal impact on the area and the state. “We think that jobs are at the center of building strong individuals and building strong families, and that’s what makes a society,” Hanson said.
This article was based on information published by The Voice News