US Army rebuilds Iraqi pipe plant
Don Loepp
Here's a plastics angle to the rebuiliding effort in Iraq, courtesy of the US Army's Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System: Troops in Maysan, in southern Iraq, are working to rebuild a PVC pipe plant. The story, "Plastics Factory to Provide Economic Boost," was written by 2nd Lt. Timothy Lewin. It notes that rebuilding the plant will provide jobs and support the local agricultural sector, since the plant makes irrigation pipe. "The plastics factory is a key industrial site in the town of Al Amarah, capable of improving the quality of life of the people of Maysan province by providing jobs and everyday products in this agrarian region," Lewin wrote. "Before 2003, the factory was fully operational, providing PVC pipe to the farmers around the province. After 2003, the factory saw subsequent waves of looters who left the factory damaged beyond repair. This severely affected the supply of pipes and increased foreign importing of plastic goods, said Stephen Banks, the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader. "Seven years later, Battery A, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Regt. and the PRT are working to replace the damaged equipment in an effort to make the factory operational again," Lewin wrote. The factory employs more than 300, according to the story.