Materials producer Saint-Gobain recently announced plans to invest $32 million to upgrade equipment at its CertainTeed insulation plant in Chowchilla, CA that will increase the location’s capacity by 13%. The investment is part of Saint-Gobain’s “Grow and Impact” strategy to increase the firm’s position in high-growth markets while reducing its environmental impacts.

During the project, a new oven, furnace, and other energy efficient equipment will be installed that lower the site’s use of natural gas and electricity. The upgrades will also cut 4,000 mt/yr of carbon from the facility’s footprint.

“Our strategic investments in Chowchilla represent a major commitment to our customers on the West Coast for decades to come, ensuring that we will meet the need for our industry leading fiberglass insulation at the time of unprecedented demand growth, all while reducing the plant’s carbon footprint,” Andrew Goldberg, vice president and general manager of CertainTeed Insulation Project Group, said in a company release.

20 Saint-Gobain engineers and project management professionals worked over several years on planning the upgrades. Installations of the new equipment started in January, and the new assets are expected to come online in February and March.

The Chowchilla plant has been open since 1978. 180 workers currently staff the site.

Last November, Saint-Gobain said it intends to inject $400 million into four of its US manufacturing sites over the next four years to increase its capacity for roofing products, insulation, and gypsum