Strategic Materials opens new facility in Houston

Houston-based glass recycler Strategic Materials Inc. has opened a new crushed glass abrasives production facility in Houston. The company says it built the facility in response to regional surface preparation market demand and a shift to worker health-conscious and eco-friendly abrasive products.

The plant, which measures more than 30,000 square feet, began production in early December of last year. The company says it features improved bagging technology and production line capabilities compared with its other facility in Houston, supporting its plans to more than triple output of its abrasive product this year, with plans for further expansion in 2021. 

© Strategic Materials

“It’s an exciting time for our business,” says Denis Suggs, Strategic Materials president and CEO. “With our new facility, we’ve increased capacity and are able to better meet demand with a higher quality product. This investment also allows us to improve product availability and therefore, turnaround times, and further solidifies our position as the market leader for crushed glass abrasives.”

Strategic Materials’ crushed glass abrasives are sold under the Truabrasives brand name and are produced from recycled glass that is cleaned and screened into a variety of sizes. The product is primarily used to remove old coatings or to prep new surfaces in precast concrete, tanks, bridges, refineries and shipyards, according to the company.

The new Houston location will replace the company’s older Houston facility midyear. The new plant will produce other recycled glass products for sale into highway bead, fiberglass insulation and glass container markets. The company will host a grand opening in late January for customers and local stakeholders.

Strategic Materials operates nearly 50 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.