W.R. Grace, Chevron to Build $135M Production Plant in Louisiana

LAKE CHARLES, LA. — A joint venture between W.R. Grace & Co. and Chevron Products Co. will invest $135 million to build a residue hydroprocessing catalyst production plant at the existing Grace manufacturing plant in Lake Charles. The joint venture, known as Advanced Refining Technologies (ART), expects to create roughly 30 new direct jobs with the expansion, and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) expects approximately 88 new indirect jobs will be created. Additionally, 190 construction jobs will be created. Grace’s existing 120-acre manufacturing site is located on the Calcasieu River. The facility produces alumina, sodium silicate, fluid-cracking catalysts, hydroprocessing catalysts and zeolites. The state of Louisiana facilitated the investment with an incentive package including a $2.4 million Modernization Tax Credit. ART will also use the LED FastStart workforce development program, as well as Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. ART will begin hiring when construction kicks off in late 2015. Completion is slated for early 2018.