PISCATAWAY - An $80 million modern manufacturing plant being built in Piscataway will bring 120 jobs to the area and new life to an abandoned chemical factory, officials said Thursday.

Cascades, Inc. produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibers. The new state-of-the-art, 400,000-square-foot facility will manufacture corrugated packaging products at the new facility, according to a release from the company.

Cascades, Inc. manufactures packaging materials using recycled fibers. They're opening a plant in Piscataway.

Piscataway Mayor Brian C. Wahler said it's an important development for the town.

"Not only are we getting an old site back on the tax rolls, but we'll be gaining a tremendous boost in our recycling numbers, which means more grant money," Wahler said. "I expect we'll be number one in the state."

The facility will be located at an old chemical plant on Turner Place off S. Washington Avenue near Stelton Road, the mayor said. It's visible from Route 287 and has a freight train rail line that runs through it, which means less trucks.

"It's been a challenge to get these (abandoned) sites back on the payroll. We're not just competing with neighboring towns and states, but with other countries too," Wahler said. "It's something municipalities all over are faced with. How do we go about repurposing old manufacturing sites in our Amazon.com era?"

The 120 jobs will have average annual salaries of $75,000, the mayor said.

"These are good, high-paying jobs with benefits," he said. "Manufacturing jobs don't come along too often, especially in New Jersey."

Construction is starting soon and the facility is expected to open in early 2018, the mayor said.

The move is part of a strategic plan to modernize and boost productivity, Cascade officials said in a statement.

"The Piscataway conversion plant will have state-of-the-art technology and will be among the fastest in the industry," said Charles Malo, president and chief operating officer of Cascades Containerboard Packaging.

"It will offer increased flexibility and allow us to provide more efficient and innovative products to meet our customers' needs," Malo said.

The site was chosen because of its proximity to major urban centers and room for subsequent development, Malo said.

The company is an international conglomerate headquartered in Canada and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange. It was founded in 1964.

Cindy Capitani may be reached at ccapitani@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @cindycap. Find NJ.com on Facebook.