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The 110,000-square-foot facility will be dedicated to product engineering, material science, and manufacturing technologies, said Advanced Drainage Systems.

Geoff Giordano

August 31, 2022

2 Min Read
rendering of tech center
Image courtesy of ADS

Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), recently ranked as the largest plastics recycler in North America, is pouring $65 million into a state-of-the-art technology center near its headquarters in Hilliard, OH.

The 110,000-square-foot facility will advance sustainable solutions as a LEED Silver certification showcase. Groundbreaking is expected in October for an expected late 2023 opening.

“The ADS Engineering & Technology Center will be the most advanced stormwater engineering center in the world dedicated to product engineering, material science — including recycled plastics — and manufacturing technologies,” said ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour. “This new facility will accelerate our development of products designed to capture, convey, store, and treat our most precious resource — water.”

Recycled plastics will feature prominently in the center’s mission “to improve quality of life in communities across North America,” he added.

ADS will consolidate all its manufacturing engineering development, product development, and testing at the center by creating a number of labs, including:

  • A product development lab focused on the full range of a product’s life cycle;

  • a fabrication lab to develop prototype parts and test fixtures;

  • a lab to analyze structural performance of prototypes;

  • a 3D-printing lab to rapidly develop and vet concepts;

  • a hydraulics lab that supports ADS’ water-treatment businesses, including separation, traditional filtration, and low-impact development filtration;

  • an advanced technology lab for manufacturing and engineering prototyping;

  • material-science laboratories for performance testing, structural and chemical analysis, and extrusion capability for developing product formulations.

“These new, state-of-the-art labs will develop innovations that will sustain our environment, reduce plastic in our landfills, and create high-demand jobs in the Columbus region,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. JobsOhio, a private economic development corporation, and regional partner One Columbus helped ADS choose the facility’s site and collaborate with area stakeholders to launch the project.

The use of LEED building techniques “supports our commitment to sustainability and advances progress to meeting ADS’ 10-year sustainability goals,” Barbour said. “The design of this facility will also enable safe observation of the exciting products and technologies that make ADS the world’s leading stormwater and on-site septic wastewater solutions provider.” 

About the Author(s)

Geoff Giordano

Geoff Giordano is a tech journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in all facets of publishing. He has reported extensively on the gamut of plastics manufacturing technologies and issues, including 3D printing materials and methods; injection, blow, micro and rotomolding; additives, colorants and nanomodifiers; blown and cast films; packaging; thermoforming; tooling; ancillary equipment; and the circular economy. Contact him at [email protected].

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