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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Japan-Based UBE Establishes Waggaman, Louisiana, Operations

03/01/2024
UBE Corporation, a Japanese chemicals company, plans to establish dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate operations in Waggaman, Louisiana. The approximately $500 million project is expected to create 47 jobs.

The investment will include the construction of a new facility capable of producing 100,000 metric tons of DMC per year and 40,000 metric tons of EMC, derived from DMC, per year. Operations are scheduled for November 2026.

“UBE’s proprietary nitrite process, which we have been developing since the 1970s, enables us to realize a very limited environmental impact and much fewer by-products compared to other existing plants and processes, particularly in mainland China,” said Masato Izumihara, president and representative director of UBE. “This manufacturing facility will be UBE’s first large-scale chemical facility in the United States and CEP offers not only a strategic location, but Cornerstone Chemical Company, LLC, also offers raw materials needed for manufacturing, an abundant labor force and competitive logistic capabilities.”

To secure the project, the state of Louisiana offered an incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The company is also expected to participate in Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs.

“This $500 million investment reinforces Louisiana’s leadership in the electric vehicle battery components supply chain, and is another win for southeast Louisiana’s manufacturing workforce, which is second to none,” Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois noted. “This decision by UBE Corporation is a vote of confidence from the global marketplace in Louisiana’s strategic location, rich natural resources and skilled workers.”

UBE Corporation manufactures a wide variety of products including chemicals, plastics, battery materials, pharmaceuticals, and machinery. The company’s chemicals business is expanding from basic chemicals to high-functional products in advanced fields.

“It is an honor to welcome such a well-respected, multi-generational Japanese company to Jefferson Parish,” added Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “UBE’s new facility furthers Louisiana’s emergence as a leading location for future energy projects by establishing the first electric vehicle battery supply chain project in the Southeast Region. UBE’s operations will also bolster national security efforts by serving as the only U.S. site to provide these critical elements of the country’s energy supply chain.”

“This project directly aligns with JEDCO’s efforts to generate quality jobs, investment and opportunities within the environmental and engineering industry,” said JEDCO President and CEO Jerry Bologna. “UBE’s investment in our community signals that Jefferson Parish can be a key player in this global industry. We are proud to support UBE’s project in Jefferson Parish and look forward to the significant economic impact it will have on our community.”

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