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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

KIK Consumer Products Builds Westlake, Louisiana, Chlorine Production Facility

07/21/2021
KIK Consumer Products’ BioLab division will make a $170 million investment to build a new chlorine products facility in Westlake, Louisiana. The project will create 82 direct jobs.

The location is on the site of the company's previous facility that was damaged as a result of Hurricane Laura in 2020. Expected to be completed in 2022, the new facility will replace the old manufacturing plant and restore the jobs that were lost resulting from its destruction.

“We are proud to bring a new state-of-the-art facility to Westlake, to bring back great opportunities for our people, and deliver the pool cleaning products that are in high demand,” said KIK Consumer Products COO Jeff Schmitt. “For anyone in any manufacturing industry, Hurricane Laura was the level of disaster you plan for and pray never happens. But if it does, you want your team to respond exactly the way ours did. They worked to secure the site and then get it ready to bring us back better than we were before.”

The company is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

“Last year, our state faced many unprecedented challenges from which we are still recovering, but today’s announcement is a testament to the fortitude, determination and resilience of our people and our business climate,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “Hurricane Laura pushed Southwest Louisiana to its heels, but the people of this region have shown strength throughout its long and storied history. We welcome BioLab’s reinvestment in Westlake; we are grateful for their support in helping this region come back stronger.”

BioLab is a leading company in the recreational water treatment industry, and it is a top supplier of pool and spa treatment products in North America and international markets.

“We are very pleased that BioLab is rebuilding their facility here in Southwest Louisiana,” said George Swift, President and CEO, Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. “This will result in more than 80 direct jobs and about 200 indirect jobs. While this plant has been closed, a shortage has developed of many household products and swimming pool chemicals. The scarcity of these products from this facility received national attention. Many across the nation will welcome a new BioLab plant.”

The new facility will produce trichloroisocyanuric acid, or TCCA, which is a chlorine-based sanitizer that kills microorganisms, including bacteria; prevents algae growth; keeps water clean and protects pool equipment. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, the new facility will have an improved output compared to the previous facility, with a significant increase in production capacity.

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