COLUMBIA, S.C. – October 10, 2013 – MWV Specialty Chemicals, a division of MeadWestvaco Corporation, will expand its existing operations in Charleston County. The $9.3 million investment in innovation is expected to support the division’s local workforce and growing global business.
MWV Specialty Chemicals will open a new technology center near its existing headquarters, located on Virginia Avenue in North Charleston. The new facility will serve as an innovation center for the company to expand its capabilities in automotive emissions control and sustainable chemicals in the oilfield, road construction and adhesives global markets. The center is expected to begin operations in early 2015.
“The new facility will enrich our technical innovation capabilities positioning our division to serve important global growth businesses in rapidly changing and competitive markets. The center will support our existing North Charleston operations as we continue to expand our product offerings around the world,” said Ed Rose, president of MWV Specialty Chemicals.
“MWV Specialty Chemicals is a world-class company, and it speaks volumes that they decided to put this high-tech expansion here in South Carolina,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We celebrate the company’s commitment to invest in innovation.”
MWV Specialty Chemicals is among the top 50 chemical companies in the U.S., approaching $1 billion in sales annually. The division employs around 450 people in the Charleston area and more than 1,200 worldwide.
“South Carolina has a long history in the chemical production industry, and MWV Specialty Chemicals remains a strong member of our state’s business community,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “We appreciate the division’s continued commitment to the Palmetto State and we know the technology center will have an impact on high-tech growth in Charleston County.”
“I am excited to see another one of our fine existing companies looking to grow in Charleston County,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor. “MWV Specialty Chemicals’ new facility will be an innovation center to grow their global business. A global leader in safety and sustainability, we see their products in everything from asphalt to activated carbon products for the automotive industry, and to adhesives products. We are proud to have them call North Charleston as home for their division headquarters.”
“MWV Specialty Chemicals will expand upon its long history of providing top-quality, well-paying jobs in North Charleston with the investment to establish a new facility within its current footprint,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. “MWV has continued to innovate, develop, and deploy chemicals and products from sustainable sources that are used around the world. With MWV’s global stature, top-notch employees, and community stewardship, I am certain the company and its economic impact will remain a fixture in North Charleston for many, many years.”
Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should visit the MeadWestvaco careers page at www.meadwestvaco.com/Careers/.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits.
MWV Specialty Chemicals manufactures, markets and distributes specialty chemicals derived from sawdust and other by-products of the papermaking process in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. For more information about the company, please visit www.meadwestvaco.com/SpecialtyChemicals/.