PQ Corporation, a leading producer of inorganic specialty performance chemicals and special custom catalysts, will invest $120 million to expand the manufacturing footprint at its Kansas City, Kansas, production facility.

The firm’s investment will expand its already extensive equipment and manufacturing capacity for PQ’s silica catalyst business and its Zeolyst International specialty catalyst operation. The expansion at its Kansas Avenue site is projected to add 40 to 50 additional new jobs to the 100 employees currently employed.

“The new capacity will help PQ meet the growing demand for specialty catalysts throughout the world,” said Mike Boyce, chairman and CEO of PQ Corp. “We believe this investment demonstrates our strong commitment to the state of Kansas, Wyandotte County and the Kansas City local community and builds on the past success of our Kansas City plant and our highly motivated and productive team of employees.”

Preliminary design and engineering work is already underway and the expansion and building project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2015. According to state economic development officials, PQ considered a range of potential expansion locations but ultimately selected Kansas City site due to infrastructure, a dedicated and safety-minded workforce and the strong business environment in Kansas.

“It is great news that PQ Corporation’s hard work and success have enabled it to make such a significant investment in Kansas,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. “I am thrilled that we have created a pro-growth business environment that supports the growth and job creation of companies such as PQ.”