US-based supplier and manufacturer of biodegradable food packaging and plastic bags Trellis Earth Products said that the company will relocate its manufacturing operations from China to Rochester, New York.
About $8.3 million will be invested in new facility, which will also serve as the headquarters, at the Rochester Technology Park.
The facility will commence operations from the second quarter of 2014 and create 189 jobs.
Besides manufacturing more than 50 million forks, knives and spoons monthly at its new facility, the company is also planning to manufacture food-service flatware and flexible products, including clamshells, school lunch trays, plastic bags and plates, at its Rochester facility.
Trellis' bioplastic blend will be used to manufacture all products at the new facility.
This blend contains mainly plant starch, and will reduce petrochemical consumption and reduce the burden on landfills.
Trellis Earth Products CEO Mike Senzaki said when shifting from back to the US, they wanted a location that would place them close to their customers.
"The cost of labor and shipping are rising in China, and we see the value of being a New York-based manufacturing company where we can also be close to our major markets and have access to the resources and support services we need to launch a world-class manufacturing facility," said Senzaki.
