Indiana town investigates carbon black startup company

WHITELAND, Ind. (July 31)—The city of Whiteland is investigating United Carbon, a Los Angeles-based startup company that wants to build a plant in the town to make carbon black from scrap tires and other feedstocks. At issue is a groundbreaking ceremony that took place in California City, Calif., in 1996 for another United Carbon facility that remains unbuilt. Marshall J. Field, president and chairman of United Carbon, said the California City project is still active, and that the groundbreaking ceremony was held to accommodate a city manager who hoped to save his job. The company hopes within 30 days to have its financing plans solidified for both Whiteland and California City, Field said. Whiteland hopes within roughly the same period to have the information it seeks regarding United Carbon, said Whiteland Town Manager Dennis Capozzi.