DAK Americas expansion to double production and create 50 new jobs

DAK Americas, the maker of a resin used in soft drink containers, has completed a 25,000-square-foot expansion of an existing building at its Berkeley County mill, creating 50 new jobs.

The addition for the company’s polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, resin unit will double the mill’s resin production to 660 million pounds annually.

DAK purchased the polyester resins business in Berkeley County from DuPont three years ago. DAK officials would not say how much they invested in the facility, only to say that if they built it from scratch it would cost $100 million. The new workers are paid on average $20 an hour.

“Our new PET resin unit at the Cooper River site marks a dramatic advance in DAK Americas’ ability to meet growing customer demand in 2003 and beyond,” said Hector Camberos, president and CEO. “This expansion enhances our ability to continue providing the superior products, innovation and technical service that our customers expect. It also reinforces our commitment to Berkeley County and the Charleston area by adding new jobs and revenue to the local economy.”

State Commerce Secretary Bob Faith said the expansion will allow the company to meet its customers’ demands now and in the future.

Charlotte-based DAK also operates a similar mill in Cape Fear, N.C., and a unit in Fayetteville, N.C.