Solstice Advanced Materials to invest $220M in Chesterfield expansion

Solstice Advanced Materials, a global manufacturer of advanced fibers and chemicals, announced Tuesday that it plans to invest $220 million in multiple projects to expand production at its existing ballistic fiber manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, creating an expected 100 full-time jobs by 2029.

The plant, located on Woods Edge Road in Colonial Heights, produces a variety of fibers used in ballistic body and vehicle armor. According to Solstice, the facility has been crucial to U.S. defense supply chains for over two decades, producing Spectra fiber and composite materials used in helmets, vests, vehicle armor and naval applications and various industrial applications. Solstice spun off from Charlotte, North Carolina-based conglomerate Honeywell in October 2025.

The $220 million investment will allow Solstice to upgrade the facility with new fiber spinning, composite coating and analytical capabilities. The company said construction and equipment installation should occur through 2029, with a projected completion date of Sept. 30, 2030.

“This investment underscores Solstice’s commitment to maintaining technology leadership in high-performance protective materials, strengthening U.S.-based manufacturing and enhancing supply chain resiliency for defense-critical materials,” Solstice President and CEO David Sewell said in a statement. “Our advanced fibers and composites deliver critical protection across defense, law enforcement and industrial applications — all of which represent significant growth markets for Solstice.”

The company says the project supports the U.S. military’s goal of maintaining and expanding domestic production of advanced ballistic materials amid rising global competition.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County to secure the project for Virginia, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved a $2 million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant. Youngkin also approved a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the county with the project.

“Solstice Advanced Materials‘ expansion in Chesterfield underscores Virginia’s leadership in the advanced manufacturing and materials industry,” said Youngkin in a statement. “Their ballistic fibers help protect those who protect us, and this growth reflects the strength of the commonwealth’s talent. Partnerships like this will ensure Virginia remains the best place to build and innovate.”

Solstice’s products are used across numerous industries, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers and health care packaging.

Headquartered in Morris Plains, New Jersey, Solstice has more than 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories. The company employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide.