Solenis to Invest $193 Million in Expansion

Solenis, a global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, will invest $193 million to expand its operation in the City of Suffolk, VA.

The Delaware-based company will build a new 80,000-sq-ft. production facility, packaging facility and tank farm, and add a new rail spur to accommodate production of polyvinylamine (PVAm) polymer products, which are used in paper and cardboard manufacturing. The new facility will be used to grow the existing polymer product line and add additional capacity of this critical monomer to the existing supplier. The expansion will create 34 new jobs.

“This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to provide value for customers while helping them advance their sustainability initiatives,” said John Panichella, CEO, Solenis. “As demand rises for sustainable manufacturing operations, this new facility not only ensures we have capacity to supply the paper packaging market, it will also help us diversify into other applications that can drive additional growth.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Suffolk and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $275,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Suffolk with the project. The company is also eligible to receive Port of Virginia tax credits and benefits from the Rail Industrial Access Program, subject to approval by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

“Solenis is a global leader in the specialty chemical industry with a 40-year history in the City of Suffolk, and this major investment and expansion demonstrates that manufacturing is thriving in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Hampton Roads has the skilled workforce, business climate, and logistics advantages, including our world-class port, to enable Solenis to add significant capacity to supply the international paper manufacturing market.”

In October 2023, Solenis acquired CedarChem LLC, which offers a full suite of water and wastewater treatment products for industrial and municipal markets, primarily in the southeastern US. The acquisition aligns with Solenis’ direct go-to-market strategy to provide customers with chemical and wastewater treatment product and service offerings.

And in July of last year, the chemical manufacturer acquired Diversey Holdings Ltd. for $4.6 billion. Diversey is a leading provider of hygiene, infection prevention and cleaning products and technology.