Axion Begins Construction on Landmark Railroad Bridges Made from Recycled Plastic

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Axion International Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: AXIH), a next-generation technology innovator utilizing recycled plastic for high-load industrial products, today announced that demolition has begun of the current structures at the Ft. Eustis Army Transportation Corp. military base in Virginia in order to replace those spans with two new railroad bridges made almost entirely from Axion’s 100% recycled plastic structural products.

“We are pleased to announce the Ft. Eustis project is underway as we demolish the existing wood spans and make way for two new bridges utilizing our patented thermoplastic technology”

The US Army commissioned these bridges last year and construction is expected to last four months. Axion is providing all parts for the two Recycled Structural Composite (RSC) bridges, including pilings, I-beams for pile caps and main girders, and crossties/curbing. All parts of the bridges will be made from Axion products except the steel fasteners and bolts.

“We are pleased to announce the Ft. Eustis project is underway as we demolish the existing wood spans and make way for two new bridges utilizing our patented thermoplastic technology,” stated Axion CEO, Jim Kerstein. “Being the first known structures of this kind able to support 130 tons is a milestone achievement considering the main components of these bridges are made entirely from 100% recycled consumer and industrial plastic. In fact, the only non-recycled plastic components of these bridges will be the steel connectors holding our Axion parts together and the rubber bearing pads that provide cushion between the main girders and pile caps.”

Jim Kerstein went on to say, “By utilizing recycled plastic, not only will these bridges not rot, rust or corrode like traditional building materials, they will also help divert literally tons of recycled products that would normally be destined for landfills. This includes household items such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, and car bumpers.”

The new Recycled Structural Composite (RSC) bridges will replace two wooden bridges that have been taken out of service and they will be completed faster and less expensively than could have been achieved using wood, steel or concrete. The new short span bridges will extend approximately 40 feet and 80 feet respectively. Each of these bridges are designed to achieve a high-load rating of 130 tons (i.e. 260,000 pounds) in order to transport locomotives and freight traffic for military movement and base exercises and achieve a Cooper E60 Rating.

The design and engineering work is being supported by Virginia-based Centennial Contractors Enterprises, the prime job order contractor for the project, and Parsons Brinckerhoff, which has more than a century of experience in working on major complex bridges including such recent structures as the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River outside Washington, D.C.; the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River in Charleston, South Carolina; and the William Natcher Bridge over the Ohio River in Owensboro, Kentucky. The demolition and construction activities are being performed by English Construction Company, Inc., a privately owned company, in existence for over 100 years and conducting operations in eight states throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Innovative Green Solutions, an Axion channel partner, introduced Axion to the Fort Eustis project and participated in the negotiation and development of the project.

Fort Eustis is home to the US Army Transportation Corps, which is the branch of the US Army responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, air, and sea. Officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Eustis and its satellite installation, Fort Story, receive education and on-the-job training in all modes of transportation, aviation maintenance, logistics and deployment doctrine and research.

Developed in conjunction with scientists at Rutgers University, Axion’s cutting edge technology has resulted in virtually 100% recycled plastic materials, Recycled Structural Composites (RSCs) that are the first known structural products of their kind that can support heavy loads. Compared to traditional infrastructure materials such as wood, steel or concrete, Axion's innovative products are more durable and significantly longer lasting.

About Centennial Contractors

For more than 20 years, Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc., has been a leader in construction services supporting government, educational and business facilities and infrastructures, with construction projects focused on renovation, rehabilitation and repair. To date, Centennial has supported over $2 billion in project solutions for its diverse customer base. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, the firm has over 45 offices nationwide. For more information please visit: www.cce-inc.com.

About Parsons Brinckerhoff

Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) is a leader in developing and operating infrastructure around the world, with 15,000 employees dedicated to meeting the needs of clients and communities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia-Pacific regions. PB offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction management, and operations for all modes of infrastructure, including transportation, power, community development, water and the environment. For more information please visit: www.pbworld.com.

About English Construction Company

English Construction Company, Inc. is a third-generation family-owned business. For nearly a century, English has been advancing steadily, adding new skills, new resources, and new technology. English has kept pace with changes in the construction industry, focusing on areas of expertise to include such diverse areas as bridges, power plants, factories, monumental structures, and historic renovations. For more information please visit: www.englishconst.com.

About Innovative Green Solutions

Innovative Green Solutions (IGS) is a woman-owned small business and an Axion preferred partner for sales and distribution to the federal government. IGS understands our nation’s need to create sustainable green solutions in our construction, transportation and facilities management projects and is positioned to “Preserve Tomorrow with Today’s Solutions.” For more information please visit: www.igsfederal.com.

About Axion International

Axion International is a leading structural solution provider of cost-effective alternative infrastructure and building products. The Company’s "green" proprietary technologies allow for the development and manufacture of innovative structural products made from virtually 100% recycled consumer and industrial plastics. Axion's up-cycled products are an economic and sustainable alternative to traditional building materials such as wood, steel or concrete. Developed in collaboration with scientists at Rutgers University, Axion's patented technologies allow for products that are extremely strong, durable, flexible in design, and low maintenance.

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For additional information, please visit Axion’s corporate website: www.axionintl.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause Axion’s actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, including the risk factors identified in Axion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.