Specialty Chemicals Maker Solenis to Expand in Virginia

Solenis will invest approximately $193 million in the Suffolk facility. The company will build a new 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, packaging facility and tank farm. The new facility will be used to expand existing polymer product lines and add additional capacity for this critical monomer to existing suppliers.

Solenis will add a new rail spur to accommodate the production of polyvinylamine (PVAm) polymer products used in paper and board manufacturing.

John Panichella, CEO of Solenis, said: "This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to deliver value to our customers while helping them advance their sustainability initiatives. As demand for sustainable manufacturing operations increases, this new facility will not only ensure our ability to supply the paper packaging market, but will also help us diversify into other applications that can drive additional growth."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership is working with the City of Suffolk and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to ensure the project goes smoothly. The Federal Opportunity Fund provided a $275,000 grant to assist the City of Suffolk with the project.

Founded in 2014, Solenis, formerly Ashland Water Technologies, is an American manufacturer of specialty chemicals for the pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets.