Shell Catalysts & Technologies plans to expand its facility in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The $121.7 million project is expected to create 74 jobs.

The investment will increase production of high-performance catalysts used to generate a less energy-intensive refining process, increasing manufacturing capacity by an additional 15,000 tons per year, according to state officials. Operations are scheduled for December 2024.

"Shell Catalysts & Technologies has a more than 13-year history of operation at Port Allen that has provided jobs for over a decade and made the site a world-class catalyst manufacturing facility,” said Elise H. Nowee, Vice President Shell Catalysts & Technologies. “The company’s investment is another testament of our commitment to the state of Louisiana as a prime location for doing business.”

West Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana offered Shell Catalyst & Technologies an incentives package including the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The company also is expected to participate in the state’s Enterprise Zone and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

“As the world transitions to cleaner energy, Louisiana continues to lead by example through business investment, innovation and job creation,” Governor John Bel Edwards noted. “Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ mission to develop innovative technical solutions for a more sustainable refining process aligns with the state’s Climate Action Plan and provides new opportunities for our skilled, dynamic workforce.”

Shell Catalysts & Technologies develops state-of-the-art products that are activated by lower amounts of heat, electricity or steam, resulting in a reduced energy intensive refining process. Catalysts are substances used during the manufacturing process to increase the rate chemical reactions occur. These substances are used in the production of a wide variety of items ranging from biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel to medical equipment and shoes.

“Shell Catalyst & Technologies continues to be a local leader in the energy sector, and continues to push toward the future,” added Adam Knapp, Baton Rouge Area Chamber president and CEO. “This expansion shows the region’s strength to lead on energy efficiency. We applaud our partners in West Baton Rouge Parish and the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce for securing this expansion, and we are grateful to Shell Catalyst & Technologies for its investment.”