Veronica Garabelli// February 27, 2014//
Evonik, a specialty chemical manufacturer, has announced a $15 million expansion to relocate and expand its Business and Innovation Center in Chesterfield. The move is expected to create 50 jobs in Chesterfield over the next five years and retain 130 positions.
The company purchased a 93,000-square-foot building near the Chesterfield County Airport for the center. In a news release, Evonik said the 18-acre site would give it plenty of room for future expansions.
Evonik will maintain its Hopewell manufacturing operation, which employs 110 people. The Hopewell site produces ingredients used in cosmetics, fabric softeners, toothpaste and other products.
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund for the project.
Evonik is an industrial group from Germany that had more than 33,000 employees in fiscal year 2012. Evonik North America has several locations throughout the United States and employs around 3,600 people in the U.S