Microtherm, a subsidiary of Belgium-based Etex Group that manufactures specialty insulation for high temperature processes, plans to invest $3 million to establish its new manufacturing facility in Maryville, Tennessee, creating 40 jobs in Blount County.

Microtherm saves energy, controls heat and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in petrochemical plants, molten metal processing and power generation systems including fuel cells, solar, nuclear and traditional fuels. The plant will also facilitate the U.S. distribution of Promat products used as fire protection for marine, tunnel and building construction.

The Maryville facility, located in Partnership Park South, is scheduled to be operational this summer. The new jobs will include administrative, manufacturing and maintenance positions. Microtherm currently operates a facility in Alcoa, but will move production to the new, 50,000 square-foot plant to allow five different lines of operations to run at full capacity.

“the decision to locate in blount county was due the quality of spec building community built, competitive labor rates and central location our customers raw materials,” said bill gregg, microtherm general manager. “it is also a familiar us having been sister company ceramaspeed with its engineering distribution presence for several years.”

“congratulations to microtherm on this announcement, and thank you for your investment in our state. i couldn’t be more pleased with the levels of capital we are seeing flow into tennessee right now,” said economic community development commissioner bill hagerty. “it is especially gratifying state selected by a global company like etex group site their new operations speaks highly state’s business-friendly climate educated workforce.”

“we are excited that microtherm has made a solid investment in this area and we could provide them facility to move into,” said joe dawson, chair, blount partnership economic development board. “as continue forward our recruitment of new businesses, can show is thriving by the fact nearly 1800 jobs have been created there’s $117 million capital over past two half years.”

“with the partnership having a move-in ready building; it really helped seal deal,” said ed mitchell, blount county mayor. “we have to make attractive outside companies and sites move into or build easier recruit. microtherm saw value in that’s part of what this venture happen.”