Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties

Printed from www.crda.org

DuPont selects Berkeley County for planned $500 million investment

Dec. 18, 2007
For Immediate Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. – December 18, 2007 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Berkeley County, and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance today joined DuPont in announcing that the company has selected its Cooper River plant to receive the planned $500 million investment to significantly expand production of high-performance Kevlar® para-aramid brand fiber for industrial and military uses.

The investment at the Cooper River site, which is located about 30 miles north of Charleston in Berkeley County, will include construction of a new Kevlar® fiber facility. It is expected to require 100 permanent DuPont jobs, as well as more than 400 contractor jobs during peak construction, which is scheduled to begin in January 2008. The plant’s startup is scheduled for 2010.

The new Cooper River facility is the centerpiece of a multi-phase, multi-year Kevlar® production expansion announced in September that will ultimately increase global Kevlar® production capacity by more than 25 percent. This expansion represents the largest single investment in Kevlar® and the largest capacity increase since the fiber was introduced in 1965.

“The new plant at Cooper River, together with our other global assets, will help DuPont meet strong and growing global demand for Kevlar®,” said Thomas G. Powell, vice president and general manager, DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. “It also will allow us to put our innovative science to work to develop new, differentiated Kevlar® products using the latest new fiber technologies that protect people and processes.”

DuPont’s Cooper River plant opened in 1973. The site currently has 60 employees and produces Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomer, which is used primarily in the automotive industry.

“Today’s announcement is another sign that our efforts to strengthen the state’s economic soil conditions are working to attract new opportunities for job creation and significant investment. As we work to compete in the global economy, these efforts are critical to our future success. As well, South Carolina’s ability to not only retain a world-class company like DuPont, but grow its presence in our state speaks volumes to these efforts,” said Gov. Mark Sanford. “We remain committed to continuing to enhance opportunities that will promote economic growth and job creation throughout South Carolina.”

“DuPont is a world-renowned innovative company with a long history in South Carolina. The fact that South Carolina was chosen to be the location of DuPont’s largest single investment in Kevlar® production is an indication of the strength of our workforce and business climate. This investment will expand DuPont’s global reach as Kevlar® products are used throughout the world in exciting and life-saving capacities and South Carolina is pleased to be a part of this initiative. Thanks to the team efforts of the state and local officials, Berkeley County will tremendously benefit from this investment now and for years to come,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

Best known for its proven performance in ballistic and stab-resistant body armor, Kevlar® has helped save the lives of thousands of law enforcement officers and military personnel around the world. Between 2000 and 2006, DuPont successfully completed four Kevlar® fiber expansion projects at its Richmond, Va. and Maydown, Northern Ireland facilities.

Several of these expansions incorporated a proprietary New Fiber Technology (NFT) developed and patented by DuPont. This new technology provides a higher performance fiber for use in critical applications serving the military and law enforcement sectors, as well as the automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas industries, among others.

“DuPont has long been a significant member of the Berkeley County community, and we’re very proud they’ve chosen us for this exciting new operation,” said Dan Davis, Berkeley County Supervisor. “I can’t say enough about what this company brings to our entire region. Not only do they provide excellent jobs for our citizens, they are also stellar corporate citizens. This is definitely a win-win announcement for us all.”

“A global leader in innovation and sustainable practices, DuPont is just the kind of company our region is interested in attracting,” said Robert Pratt, Chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. “With this competitive expansion, DuPont is effectively telling the world we have the workforce and infrastructure to support state-of-the-art manufacturing. Thank you, DuPont, for your confidence in the Charleston region.”

Key growth applications for Kevlar® include:

  • Improved ballistic performance, providing lighter weight protective apparel for law enforcement and military personnel;
  • Higher dexterity for gloves, providing more freedom of movement while protecting hands from cuts;
  • Tailored solutions for automotive tires, providing for a smoother, quieter ride;
  • Reinforcements for pipes in oil and gas, enabling exploration in deeper water;
  • Enhanced honeycomb structures, providing strength for next generation aircraft;
  • Superior fragment protection for the next generation of armored vehicles;
  • Flame resistance and strength to help bedding manufacturers meet fire resistant standards for mattresses;
  • Significant improvements in both tensile strength and compressive strength for more durable foam used on space vehicles; and
  • Reinforced construction for buildings and in-home storm rooms that provide hurricane and tornado protection to protect homes and businesses.

DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems serves the global marketplace from offices in all major regions of the world and from five manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland, Japan, Spain, and the United States.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.




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