Silicon Valley cleantech company launches commercial production of energy-efficient, low-CO2 bricks and pavers

CALEDONIA, Wis., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- CalStar Products, Inc. opened its first green brick and paver plant on Monday in the Village of Caledonia, in southeastern Wisconsin, less than 80 miles north of Chicago.

The plant helps address national environmental goals of improving U.S. energy independence, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, preserving natural resources, and reducing landfill demand.  At the same time, it puts a brownfield facility back into productive use, and brings new green jobs to a region with a distinguished manufacturing history that has been particularly hard-hit by the recession.

The first of its kind in the nation, the Caledonia plant takes to commercial scale a new process that combines CalStar innovations in material science, technology and manufacturing. Incorporating fly ash from a nearby We Energies power plant, CalStar's process reduces the energy required and CO2 generated in brickmaking by 85% compared to conventional fired clay brick. At the same time, the products use 40% post-industrial recycled material.  

Distinguished speakers at the event included U.S. Senator Russell Feingold and Wisconsin's Secretary of Department of Natural Resources Matthew Frank.  "We welcome CalStar Products to Wisconsin and wish you great success with your fly ash brick products," said Secretary Frank. The plant expects to bring 35 new green jobs to Racine County in the next two years.

On Friday, CalStar was awarded a $2.44M tax credit under the Recovery Act Advanced Energy program for clean energy manufacturing projects.  Senator Feingold said, "CalStar's new plant, and the jobs it brings to Wisconsin, are a perfect example of what's being achieved with help from the stimulus funding."

CalStar plans to open at least five additional plants to manufacture sustainable building materials over the next several years.

About CalStar Products.  CalStar Products, Inc. develops and manufactures innovative sustainable building products for commercial exteriors and hardscapes.  Headquartered in Silicon Valley with manufacturing in Wisconsin, CalStar provides the next generation of green bricks and pavers.

More information is available at www.calstarproducts.com.

CONTACT: Aaron Chusid, +1-818-774-0003, aaron@chusid.com

SOURCE CalStar Products, Inc.

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