April 29, 2024  |  Manner Polymers is expanding its PVC production capabilities with a new solar powered manufacturing plant in Mount Vernon, Ill.  Edwardsville, Ill.-based Contegra Construction is constructing the new 100,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility and is targeting completion in November of 2024.

The plant is scheduled to be fully operational by fall of 2025 and will manufacture flexible PVC compounds. The facility will be powered by both a roof mounted solar array and a 15-acre solar field located on site immediately adjacent to the plant. The new facility expands Manner Polymers’ production capacity by 100 million pounds and is projected to create 60 new jobs. The plant’s location will capitalize on the crossroads of major interstates – I-57 and I-64 – and is rail served.

Contegra is leading the building’s design/build team consisting of architectural designer Gray Design Group, structural engineer Alper Audi and a design/build subcontractor team that includes Jarrell Mechanical, Haier Plumbing, Bi-State Fire Protection and Clinton Electric. The building will consist of tilt-up concrete panels and feature 11 dock doors and three drive-through doors. It will be topped by a TPO roof.  A 55-foot tower will encompass a three-level production platform.  In addition to the production zone, there will be 5,000 square feet of office space.

Based in McKinney, Texas, Manner Polymers is among the largest flexible PVC compounders in North America.