Redwood City port signs on Boxer Industries

   The Redwood City Port Commission on Wednesday approved a three-year lease with Boxer Industries for a carbon black pilot production facility.
   Boxer Industries, based in Silicon Valley, Calif., develops technologies that convert natural gas into chemicals and materials for customers worldwide. Carbon black is a material used in manufacturing nearly all black rubber and plastic.
   The pilot plant will be located at the port on Hinman Road adjacent to the Sims Metal Management facility. The lease area covers less than an acre and was previously used by Manson Construction for office trailers and construction equipment for the port’s Wharves 1 and 2 project.
   The plant will produce about 90 kilos of carbon black per hour (190 tons per year), which will then be placed in large bulk bags and stored in 20-foot or 40-foot containers prior to delivery by truck.  During the initial production period, carbon black will also be trucked to the site to mix with carbon black produced by the pilot plant. Four employees will be at the pilot plant, supported by 10 to 11 engineers located nearby in offices at Pacific Shores Center, the port commission said.