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ST. MARTIN - You probably don't know it, but one of the world's premier raw materials recyclers is right here in central Minnesota.

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Rotochopper, located right in St. Martin, has been developing and patenting grinding machines and accessories that break down and re-purpose wood fiber, asphalt shingles, railroad ties and more.

RotoChopper President John Babcock says the company's goal for the past 20 years has been to make industrial recycling both eco-friendly and profitable.

Babcock says Rotochopper has a workforce of around 70 machinists in St. Martin - most of whom are self-taught machinists with farming backgrounds.

One of the company's claims to fame is their patented machine that both grinds and dyes mulch. Babcock estimates that anywhere from 5 to 15 million businesses worldwide  - everywhere from Canada to Scandinavia - buy mulch created by Rotochopper.

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