DowDuPont announced Wednesday it is buying a new manufacturing facility in Newark.
The site will be used to manufacture Kalrez for the company’s Transportation and Advanced Polymers business.
Kalrez is used in sealing applications made to withstand high temperatures. The new building can house twice the capacity of the company's existing Kalrez plant two miles down the road.
DowDupont plans to invest $45 million to double manufacturing and move the operation to the new location over the next two years. Officials say the company will sell the old building once the move has been made.
The current plant in Newark employs about 200 people. A spokesperson for DowDupont told Delaware Public Media the new location will require at least that many workers and the company is looking into adding positions based on need.
T&AP President Randy Stone said in a statement, “We are pleased that our growth and investment plans are Delaware based as we’ve enjoyed a strong partnership with the state since we launched the Kalrez business over 40 years ago.”
Delaware lawmakers praised the news as an indication of the state's attractiveness to business.
“DuPont’s announcement on Wednesday reaffirms that Delaware remains a great place for any company to put down roots, grow and create jobs," said Gov. John Carney (D) in a statement.
"Today’s announcement is a testament to the all-hands-on-deck efforts in the years since DuPont’s merger to keep good paying jobs in the First State," said Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) in a statement. "DuPont’s Kalrez business expansion shows the company’s commitment to continuing to make products in Delaware - a commitment that is over 200 years old, and a tradition I hope will continue for many, many more years to come.”
“This new facility and the plan to invest $45 million in our state to increase manufacturing capacity makes this a great day for Delaware and the Delaware workforce," said Sen. Chris Coons in his statement. "This is another positive sign that DuPont is committed to operating, expanding, and staying in the First State.”
