i2M Press Releases | Company News & Announcements

i2M CEO Testifies Before Congress on Investing in American Manufacturing

agrover — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:11:19 +0000

i2M CEO Testifies Before Congress on Investing in American Manufacturing

On October 6, i2M CEO and owner Alex Grover testified at a U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means field hearing in Tennessee. Her message to lawmakers was simple: stable, pro-growth tax policy makes it possible for manufacturers to plan ahead and keep investing in the United States.

Grover spoke about the impact of H.R. 1 on i2M, its 210 full-time team members and the Mountain Top, Pennsylvania community the company calls home. As she told the committee, the law helps companies like i2M “keep investing in United States manufacturing.”

A $63 million commitment to American production

Thanks to the pro-growth provisions in H.R. 1, i2M is investing $63 million to onshore critical production components. The investment will create 40 new manufacturing jobs and supports a planned 130,000-square-foot facility expansion slated for 2027.

“That means 40 more team members building meaningful careers in the manufacturing industry that is vital to U.S. national and economic security,” Grover told the committee.

Interested in joining the team? Explore manufacturing careers at i2M.

How tax policy turns into investment

Grover walked the committee through how specific provisions made permanent in H.R. 1 connect directly to projects on i2M’s shop floor.

Facilities. Immediate expensing for facilities will help fund the 130,000-square-foot expansion.

Equipment. Immediate expensing for equipment will allow i2M to fill that new space with new machinery.

Research and development. Immediate R&D expensing supports the development of new products, including more sustainable and recyclable plastics that meet customer demand for environmentally responsible materials. Learn more about sustainability at i2M.

Family ownership. The pass-through deduction and estate-tax exemption help companies like i2M remain family-owned and continue investing for the long term.

For a manufacturer that operates around the clock and sells around the world, that predictability matters. It is what allows long-term decisions like a new facility, new equipment and new jobs to move forward with confidence.

Investing in the people who make it happen

Grover also highlighted childcare as one of the most meaningful ways the law supports i2M’s workforce.

i2M first offered childcare support in 2022, when many employees’ children were learning remotely during the pandemic. The company brought a teacher onsite to help. Today, i2M partners with a local childcare provider to reserve spots, offer reduced rates and extend hours for team members who work 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. shifts.

H.R. 1 expanded the employer-provided childcare tax credit to $500,000 and raised the credit rate to 40%, making benefits like these more financially feasible for manufacturers. “Childcare is not just a perk, it is critical infrastructure,” Grover said.

A story shared by manufacturers nationwide

The National Association of Manufacturers shared Grover’s testimony with its members across the country. Karl Hutter, CEO of Click Bond, Inc. and Chair of the NAM Small and Medium Manufacturers Group, wrote:

“As a small manufacturing CEO myself, I know firsthand that every investment requires careful planning, and every new hire represents a commitment to the future.”

i2M is also featured as Pennsylvania’s story in NAM’s Manufacturing Tax Wins Across America, a collection of 50 manufacturers investing, hiring and growing under H.R. 1.

Video courtesy of the National Association of Manufacturers. Read the full story on NAM.org.

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Glaze Decorative Film Launch | i2M Press Release

agrover — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:49:11 +0000

i2M Introduces Glaze, a Cutting-Edge Matte and High-Gloss Decorative Film Technology

The Mountain Top, Pennsylvania polymer film manufacturer brings dual-finish innovation to pool liner film and decorative surface applications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOUNTAIN TOP, PA – On July 28, 2026, i2M, a vertically integrated advanced polymer film manufacturer, announced the availability of Glaze, a new decorative film technology that engineers matte and high-gloss finishes into a single precisely registered surface. Glaze is available now to pool liner manufacturers and decorative surface specifiers.
Glaze leverages a controlled, engineered interplay of specular reflection and diffuse light scattering to produce a layered, dimensional appearance on a single polymer film substrate. The result is visual depth and a more lifelike, realistic surface created optically, not mechanically.

“Glaze is the result of engineered creativity that “shines” in multi-dimension.” -Unmil Bankar, Technical Director at i2M

A New Category in Decorative Film

Conventional decorative film applies a uniform finish across the entire substrate: matte to reduce glare, or gloss to amplify light. Glaze introduces a third option: a dual-finish surface in which matte and high-gloss zones are printed and registered within the pattern itself.

The effect is most visible in pool liner applications, where light enters the water at varying angles and the liner surface is in constant motion. Glaze pool liner film shifts and shimmers with the water rather than presenting a static, uniform appearance. Stone, tile, and geometric patterns rendered with Glaze read as genuinely three-dimensional — an optical depth that single-finish print technology cannot replicate.

Glaze applications include pool liners and water environments, interior components and surfaces, architectural finishes and panels, retail and hospitality elements, and any surface application where light, texture, and depth matter.

Engineered and Manufactured In-House

Glaze was invented and engineered entirely within i2M’s vertically integrated facility in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Every stage of production is controlled under one roof.

This technology is the latest example of i2M’s ongoing investment in polymer film extrusion, rotogravure printing and American innovation. Across its portfolio, i2M develops and extrudes film technologies used in pool liner, protective, labeling and decorative laminate applications under brands including Swimmingly, iXon, and ReNew. Glaze extends that foundation into a new dimension of surface finish technology.

Availability and Samples

Glaze is available now. Pool liner manufacturers, distributors, and surface specifiers can request samples at i2M.com/glaze.

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U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Visits i2M in Mountain Top, PA

agrover — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:50:55 +0000

U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Visits i2M in Mountain Top, PA.

Pennsylvania polymer film manufacturer recognized for employer-funded apprenticeship pipeline, community college partnerships, and innovative workforce initiatives

MOUNTAIN TOP, PA – On June 11, 2026, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling and Acting Assistant Secretary on Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office Curt Coccodrilli traveled from Washington, D.C. to tour the manufacturing facility of i2M, a vertically integrated advanced polymer film manufacturer headquartered in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. The visit highlighted i2M’s nationally recognized workforce development model as an example of the business, community, and education partnerships the administration believes are essential to the future of American manufacturing.

“You see a business that has been here for a long time using cutting-edge technology and training the local workforce. It’s exactly what I wanted to see – a partnership between high schools, community colleges, and industry all working together to make sure we could build these American-made products made by American workers.”

-Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor, Keith Sonderling

Secretary Sonderling’s visit focused on several workforce initiatives i2M has developed and fully funded, including Crestwood Creators, an employer-funded talent pipeline that identifies high-potential students at Crestwood High School – located one mile from the i2M facility, and provides them with a direct, hands-on path into skilled manufacturing careers. i2M designs the curriculum, funds the program in full, and hires its graduates. Students enter careers with no tuition debt and no experience gap.

“Investments like these allow us to continue driving results for our customers. Our commitment to American manufacturing is a long-term one because it gives us the agility to respond faster, the integrated capabilities to bring ideas from concept to production, and the ability to be a stronger partner to the customers who trust us with their business. These investments reflect our confidence in the future of U.S. manufacturing and our commitment to delivering value for customer partners for years to come.”

The visit also covered i2M’s partnership with Luzerne County Community College (LCCC), its registered apprenticeship program, and its childcare and transportation initiatives designed to remove everyday barriers that prevent qualified workers from accessing manufacturing careers.

“I want other manufacturers to know that these innovative solutions are possible. They’re available, and they generate extraordinary results long term for the business,”

-Alex Grover, CEO, i2M

The visit was covered by Plastics News, the leading trade publication for the plastics industry: plasticsnews.com/public-policy/pn-i2m-labor-department-visit, as well as by FOX56 News in Wilkes-Barre, PA: fox56.com/news/local/secretary-sonderling-tours-i2m-oversees-workforce-manufacturing-development-in-nepa

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i2M Launches ReNew™ DigiFlex – a Sustainable Breakthrough in Vinyl Film Technology

agrover — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:45:40 +0000

i2M Launches ReNew™ DigiFlex - a Sustainable Breakthrough in Vinyl Film Technology

The First Digitally Printable Vinyl Film Sustainably Made with 25% Recycled Content

MOUNTAINTOP, PA, 31 January 2024 – i2M, a trailblazer in the plastics industry and one of the top female-led plastics manufacturers in North America, has unveiled its latest groundbreaking innovation – ReNew™ DigiFlex. This revolutionary product – a high-performance, digitally printable calendered vinyl film is made with 25% recycled content, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the pressure-sensitive films industry.

ReNew™ DigiFlex was born from i2M’s mission to manufacture high-quality products that have a smaller carbon footprint and reduce plastic waste. Developed through years of research and testing, ReNew™ DigiFlex isn’t just about recycling post-industrial plastic; it’s about repurposing it into a high-performance solution that mirrors the physical properties of virgin products. Users can expect features such as UV resilience, excellent lay flat, and a smooth printable surface. A pressure-sensitive, calendered vinyl, ReNew™ DigiFlex finished applications range from decal film, labels, signage, overlaminates, and floor graphics.
This launch comes on the heels of i2M receiving the 2023 Recycler of the Year Award from the Vinyl Sustainability Council, recognizing its outstanding contributions to sustainable practices in the industry. In 2023 alone, i2M successfully recycled an impressive 15 million pounds of post-industrial and post-consumer vinyl.

Commenting on the launch of ReNew™ DigiFlex i2M CEO, Alex Grover said;

“With the launch of ReNew™ DigiFlex, we’re translating words into action. We’re here to show the world that when you select an i2M vinyl product, you don’t have to choose between sustainability and performance. You get the best of both. I am incredibly proud of the development team that spent years bringing this product to fruition and can’t wait to demonstrate what recycled vinyl can do – we’re just getting started.”

As the plastics industry grapples with sustainability challenges, i2M takes a bold step forward with ReNew™ DigiFlex. This product is not only about applications and features; it’s about creating a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

This year and beyond, i2M will continue to take action to meaningfully reduce its carbon footprint and execute targeted strategies that reduce plastic waste and preserve our Planet’s valuable natural resources.

For more information on ReNew DigiFlex©, i2M products, or other sustainability initiatives please visit ReNew DigiFlex™ | Sustainable Printable Vinyl Film

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i2M’s Sustainable Triumph: 2023 Recycling Award For ReNew Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Program

agrover — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:40:15 +0000

i2M's Sustainable Triumph: 2023 Recycling Award For ReNew Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Program

Breaking Ground: Revolutionizing Sustainability and Recycling in the Plastics Industry

MOUNTAINTOP, PA, 06 December 2023 – i2M, a trailblazer in the plastics industry and proudly standing as the sole female-led manufacturer and gravure printer of vinyl films, has secured the prestigious 2023 Recycler of the Year Award for its groundbreaking ReNew Champions Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Program, bestowed by the Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC) on December 4th.

i2M’s ReNew Champions Program, acknowledged by the VSC, is designed to address the environmental impact of end-of-life vinyl pool liners. This initiative redefines the industry’s approach to end-of-life vinyl pool liners. It offers a unique solution to prevent these materials from contributing to landfills.

The VSC award committee commended i2M for the exceptional growth of the ReNew Champions program. “The company demonstrated a remarkable 228% increase in total bin count, strategically placing nearly 100 bins along the East Coast. The expansion to include recycling used vinyl liners and pool floats showcased i2M’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices within the industry” said Jay Thomas, Executive Director of the VSC.

As one of the largest female-led privately held plastics manufacturing businesses in the United States, this prestigious award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the company’s visionary CEO, Alex Grover, and the entire i2M team. Alex’s action-oriented perspective and pioneering approach to sustainability paired with the team’s dedication are fundamental to i2M’s core values of innovation, agility, and sustainability. Commenting on the award win Alex said;

“We are thrilled and honored to receive the 2023 Recycling Award for our ReNew Champions Post Consumer Recycling Program.” This award demonstrates the i2M team’s steadfast commitment to our sustainability projects. Our mission at i2M is to promote innovation and sustainability in the plastics sector, and this award is a testament to our dedication to that goal. In addition to being an acknowledgment, it represents our continued work and upcoming plans to change the perception of how our sector views environmental responsibility. As we work toward our objectives and make a constructive contribution to a more sustainable future, we feel privileged to be at the forefront of this transformation.”

While celebrating this remarkable achievement, i2M’s dedication to sustainability, innovation, and employee-centric* initiatives comes to the forefront. Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s identity and is evident in every aspect of its operations and product offerings. The 2023 Recycling Award serves as a testament to the enduring values that drive i2M, solidifying its position as a pioneering force in the plastics manufacturing industry.

i2M’s swimming pool brand, Swimmingly, takes a revolutionary approach to sustainability. It introduces the first and only high-performance, sustainable pool film, ReNew™. Sustainably produced with recycled content, ReNew™ not only contributes to a circular economy but also meets the growing demand for environmentally conscious pool products. This initiative aligns with i2M’s broader goal to manufacture products that reduce plastic waste and demonstrate game-changing environmental stewardship.
Beyond pool films, i2M is committed to integrating sustainable practices across its entire product range. The company’s diverse portfolio includes rotogravure printed decorative laminates, calendered heavy-duty films, and high-precision options—all purposefully manufactured in the U.S.A.; aligning with i2M’s commitment to domestic production and reduced supply chain impact. To support these practices, formulations prioritize To support these practices, formulations prioritize the incorporation of recycled content in products, actively diverting plastic from the waste stream.

Heading into 2024 and beyond, i2M will continue to take action by meaningfully reducing its carbon footprint by 2030, and executing targeted strategies that reduce plastic waste and preserve our Planet’s valuable natural resources.

For more information on the ReNew Champions program, i2M products, or other sustainability initiatives please visit www.i2M.com

About the Vinyl Sustainability Council The Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), founded in 2016 in partnership with the Vinyl Institute, is a council created to advance the vinyl industry’s efforts in addressing sustainability. The VSC is a collaborative platform for companies, organizations, and other industry stakeholders to come together to create a sustainable development path for the industry. For more information, please visit vantagevinyl.com/vinyl-sustainability-council/.

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i2M Earns Gold, the Highest Level of +Vantage Vinyl™ Sustainability Verification

agrover — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:47:00 +0000

i2M Earns Gold, the Highest Level of +Vantage Vinyl™ Sustainability Verification

MOUNTAINTOP, PA, 3/23/2026 – i2M is proud to announce it has achieved Gold level verification under +Vantage Vinyl™, the vinyl industry’s premier sustainability initiative. Gold is the highest tier attainable in the program, placing i2M among an elite group of verified companies and distinguishing it above many well-known industry participants. The achievement was confirmed through independent third-party verification by GreenCircle Certified, validating i2M’s performance across the program’s Guiding Principles: environmental stewardship, social diligence, economic soundness, open communication, and collaboration.

The +Vantage Vinyl program recognizes companies at three levels: Verified, Silver, and Gold, based on the depth and advancement of their sustainability performance. Verified represents a proven commitment to core sustainability requirements. Silver indicates high compliance and advanced practices beyond the basics. Gold, the highest designation, is reserved for companies demonstrating industry leadership with top-tier performance and multiple advanced sustainability achievements. i2M’s Gold certification places it in that top tier, reflecting a rigorous, documented standard of excellence aligned with targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

“We view sustainability as a standard that shapes how we operate, innovate, and compete every day,” said Alex Grover, CEO of i2M. “Achieving Gold-level verification is a reflection of the discipline and accountability our team brings to that mindset. We’ve made deliberate investments in doing this the right way, and we’ll continue pushing forward to raise the bar for what responsible manufacturing looks like in our industry.”

“Congratulations to i2M for their successful verification to +Vantage Vinyl,” said Jay Thomas, VSC Executive Director. “Continuous improvement of sustainability is a critical initiative of the vinyl industry. By verifying to +Vantage Vinyl, i2M has demonstrated their commitment to the environmental, social and governance tenets of the program’s Guiding Principles. We look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership in the +Vantage Vinyl program.”

About the Vinyl Sustainability Council
The Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), founded in 2016 in partnership with the Vinyl Institute, is a collaborative platform for companies, organizations, and other industry stakeholders to come together to advance the U.S. vinyl industry’s contribution to sustainable development. Through its +Vantage Vinyl™ verification program, the VSC aims to drive continuous improvement across all three aspects of sustainability – environmental, social and economic performance. For more information, please visit https://vantagevinyl.com/.

For more information about +Vantage Vinyl, visit: www.vantagevinyl.com.

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