On April 18, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Occidental Chemical Corp. (Dallas, Tex.; www.oxychem.com) president Rob Peterson announced a $145 million expansion of the company’s manufacturing plant in Geismar, Louisianna. The project includes equipment for producing a new raw material to be used in making next-generation, climate-friendly refrigerants. The company, also known as OxyChem, will create 12 new jobs with an average salary of $80,000 a year, plus benefits, in addition to retaining 400 OxyChem employees and contractors who now work at the Geismar plant. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in another 37 new indirect jobs for a total of 49 new jobs in Ascension Parish and surrounding areas.
Based on patented research and development by OxyChem, the new product would enable the efficient production of next-generation refrigerants, which have low global-warming potential and ozone depletion potential.
Construction work for the expansion will begin in May 2016 with completion anticipated in late 2017. The company estimates the Geismar expansion also will create 250 construction jobs at peak building activity. OxyChem is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption incentive programs.