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A display at Wednesday's ribbon cutting shows the cycle making used tires into useful product. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez Railway, which hasn't operated on the track in Adams County in 23 years, celebrated the completion of improvements on Wednesday that will have the train running again. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez Railway, which hasn't operated on the track in Adams County in 23 years, celebrated the completion of improvements on Wednesday that will have the train running again. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

On Wednesday, Phibro rCB, Natchez Railway and local officials celebrated the completion of railway upgrades to serve the end-of-life tire processing facility in Natchez with a ribbon cutting. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

On Wednesday, Phibro rCB, Natchez Railway and local officials celebrated the completion of railway upgrades to serve the end-of-life tire processing facility in Natchez with a ribbon cutting. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — From the river, to roads and finally to railway, the Phibro rCB end-of-life tire processing facility continues a commitment to Natchez and Adams County with another mode of transport on track.

And for the first time in 23 years, trains will once again run on the track from Adams County after approximately $24 million in railway upgrades have been completed.

On just the Adams County end, Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said roughly $700,000 had been invested in the railway.

On Wednesday, Phibro rCB, Natchez Railway and local officials celebrated the completion of the railway upgrades to serve the end-of-life tire processing facility in Natchez.

“It’s a wonderful day for me to see a train coming back over the tracks,” Russ said on Wednesday. “Growing up here in Natchez, it was always expected. Having been 23 years since a train has crossed these tracks and coming to serve an industrial client, it’s a tremendous honor and we thank you for your continued investment and for continuing to serve Natchez.”

Phibro rCB acquired the assets of the former Delta Energy facility at the beginning of 2024, where the company continues to process end-of-life tires into products such as carbon black and tire pyrolysis oil.  These two products are used in a variety of everyday products.

“Phibro rCB’s vision is to be a global leader in eliminating the accumulation of waste, end-of-life tires using its proprietary processing technology, which results in a truly circular tire life cycle,” said Fabrizio Zichichi, managing partner at Phibro rCB. “By recovering carbon black and producing renewable oils, Phibro rCB provides core sustainable raw materials which are being used to manufacture the next generation of tires and sustainable oils. We aim to achieve this by setting new benchmarks for circularity and sustainability, driven by a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

“Our success is rooted in forging a close alliance within our community, Adams County, our suppliers, our customers and now, Natchez Railway. For the first time, railcars reaching our plant will also be part of our journey in Natchez. Our dream is for Natchez to be the capital of Sustainable Carbon Black, leading the way in reducing the carbon footprint of both carbon black and tire pyrolysis oil with a renewable, circular and scalable process.”

Kellen Desmond, president of Natchez Railway, said he welcomes Phibro rCB as its newest business partner.

“Two core values of the Natchez Railway are ‘Delivering Results’ and ‘Serving Our Partners.’  We look forward to providing top-tier service to our newest partner, Phibro rCB, and to furthering our relationship to deliver results and support Phibro rCB’s goals,” Desmond said. “We are grateful for the work and support of the city of Natchez, Mayor Dan Gibson, Natchez Inc., Phibro rCB, and Adams County.  With this community support and the hard work of our local team, we have been able to complete needed track improvements to serve this important industrial site.  The Natchez Railway will continue to work with the local community and its businesses to connect Natchez to the people and industries it supports.”

Currently, Phibro rCB’s facility has over 50 employees in various positions, with plans to expand as customer demand and production continue to grow.

“The Phibro rCB team has been a pleasure to collaborate with, and we are thrilled by the significant progress made in expanding the business to incorporate rail transportation, Russ said. “This achievement represents a key milestone for Adams County, signifying the successful completion of the lead track enhancements to our industrial site, thereby reinstating rail services to this exceptional location.  A special thank you to Natchez Rail for working with us and investing with us to ensure our rail is ready for service.”

The Natchez Railway was established more than one hundred years ago by two Natchez-area railroads: the New Orleans & Northwestern Railroad and the Mississippi Central Railroad. By the 1980s, both lines had come under the control of the Illinois Central Railroad, which later merged with Canadian National Railway.

Today, the Natchez Railway is one of three affiliated short-line railroads. The Natchez Railway is 65 miles in length and operates between the port city of Natchez, Mississippi, and Brookhaven, Mississippi.

The Railway operations headquarters is located in Natchez, and the interchange with the CN is in Brookhaven, enabling Natchez and the surrounding communities to connect with the national rail network.

The Natchez Railway is a recent federal CRISI grant awardee, which will enable the Railway to further invest in and upgrade the line to better serve communities and business partners located in southwest Mississippi and beyond.

“We’re glad you’re here,” Adams County Board of Supervisors President Kevin Wilson said of Phibro rCB. “When one company left, we definitely didn’t need to lose anymore jobs. Echoing what (Chandler Russ) said, it’s been 23 years since a train has been on these tracks and seeing one here again is truly amazing.”

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