Modern Dispersions expands Georgia concentrates facility

ORLANDO, Fla.—Modern Dispersions Inc. has started work on an expansion at its concentrates plant in Fitzgerald, Ga.

The new location is across the street from MDI's current plant in Fitzgerald, which has annual production capacity of 400 million pounds.

The first phase of the project—with 100 million pounds of concentrate production capacity—came online in June 2023.

The second phase will include a new continuous mixer and will add another 100 million pounds of capacity. It's slated to begin production in 2026.

"We'll have more capacity and higher throughput with a similar product mix," sales and marketing vice president Jan Kozma said at NPE2024 in Orlando.

Officials with Leominster, Mass.-based MDI previously said the expansion also will give the firm more flexibility, reduced lead times and allow MDI to remain cost competitive.

The new capacity is targeted for the North American market and is in response to strong growth in injection molding and extrusion applications in markets including automotive, electronics packaging and construction. Key end-use applications for MDI materials include pipe and wire and cable.

The new facility features transportation improvements, including a new rail storage and switch yard to accommodate 200 rail cars. The new plant will create about 20 new production and support jobs.

MDI's largest and fastest growing end market remains pressure pipe, Kozma said. The firm also has seen growth in conductive materials based on polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon and PET, he added. Customers also have shown interest in sustainable efforts, such as using recycled carbon black in polyethylene compounds.

MDI's products include carbon black masterbatch concentrates, white concentrates and specialty additive compounds. The firm was founded in 1967 by Janos (John) Kozma, Jan's father. Jan's brother Marton is president of MDI.