BEAUMONT, Texas — The Arkema plant in Beaumont is expanding to help provide clean fuel across the globe.
The $140 million facility will produce an additive that will reduce carbon emissions in planes and cars.
At a groundbreaking Thursday, company officials said this is the next step to joining the already growing industry of bio-fuel and helping put Beaumont the clean energy map and enhancing the global stage.
"It's a project in Beaumont, for Beaumont, for the Gulf Coast. We take raw materials, from the Gulf Coast in the Beaumont area. We produce our product and then we put it back into our area," said Arkema Plant Manager, Nick Ferraco.
The expansion would allow Arkema to produce a key ingredient known as dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), which helps make fuel cleaner.
"Also we have a merging market for renewable fuels that are taking a strong foothold in Southeast Texas and the Gulf Coast region to keep the facility of the clean energy, to see a sustainable difference," Ferraco said.
Not only is this expansion bringing more industry to Southeast Texas, but jobs as well.
"We are adding 10 permanent jobs and of those 10 mainly operating, mechanics and individuals. It's nice to provide stable well paying jobs to this area," Ferraco said.
Ferraco says this will help them complete their goals of giving back to the area.
"140 million dollars is a real investment for Arkema it really shows our commitment to the Gulf Coast and in this product. I am also really excited because we have been working for so long it's great to get the ball rolling and see the execution of bringing people on and seeing them start working," he said.
The facility started base construction in October 2023, but is expected to be up and operational by the first part of 2025.