October 18, 2016 - Tyler Kula, The Observer - A new plastics recycling plant is being planned for the former Entropex property in Sarnia.The assets of the recently shuttered recycler of rigid, plastic containers � which turned items like shampoo bottles into new packaging and automotive products � are being purchased by Emmie Leung and Tony Moucachen.The respective founders of recycling companies Emterra Group and Merlin Plastics announced the purchase Tuesday, after a court in London approved their purchase proposal.�We�re developing our operating plans and we�ll be slowly starting up production over a period of time,� said Emterra VP Pauline Leung.�We�re working on those plans right now,� she said. �We don�t have specific timelines, but we�re working on those milestones as we speak.�The new, yet-to-be-named company will also turn rigid plastic containers into usable products, she said, noting it�ll source from various locations in Canada and the United States.�Recycling, recovery is all part of how Ontario is going to reinvent and move forward in the manufacturing sector, the green economy,� she said.�It�s a slightly different way of manufacturing, in that we�re taking �waste products� and we�re turning it back into something that has high value and that can be used again and again for new products.�How the new company will differ from Entropex is proprietary, she said, but plans are to make sure the newest venture is sustainable.�Obviously we see that there is value in the assets of the team that was there previously,� she said. �We�re creating a new mission and new vision, and ultimately we�ll be injecting additional resources into it.�Entropex opened in 1978, but went into receivership in July when bankers called their loans amid plummeting oil prices.Operations ceased July 14 at the company�s 180,000-square-foot facility on Lougar Street, putting 155 people out of work.There�s no formal hiring plan at this point, Leung said.�But certainly the team there had a lot of experience and, of course, we�d like � to offer employment opportunities for them.�There�s been plenty of interest in the property since July, said Rob Smith, with the London office of court-appointed receiver MNP Ltd.�As far as receiverships go, this went very smoothly,� he said.The purchase price is sealed until 90 days after the sale closes, he said. It�s expected to close later this week.Entropex�s secured creditors will get paid, but they�ll suffer a shortfall, he said.�And there�ll be no more money to distribute beyond secured creditors.�Entropex president Keith Bechard praised the purchase, calling Emterra and Merlin �tremendous� companies.�It�s great news for the community,� he said.
