New plant at Atlas Point will make a key raw material with bio-based ingredients

New Castle, DE – The positive impact of Croda’s new plant at Atlas Point will be felt far and wide in Delaware, ranging from the first new employees hired to work a production line to residents who will see fewer rail cars roll by on neighboring train tracks.

The expansion of Atlas Point’s operation, due to be up and running by early 2017, will enable Croda to produce non-ionic surfactants from bio-ethanol while maintaining performance standards. The project, made possible by a $170 million capital investment through to 2017 by Croda as well as state funding, will bring about the creation of 30 new jobs while retaining 47 existing positions.

“Croda has made a significant contribution toward the future of Delaware’s economy and environment. We are proud to partner with a company that invests as heavily in its workforce as it does the world around them,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “Croda is also the latest example of a Delaware-based company that is finding new and better ways to make existing products. By providing more sustainable products to its customers, the company has put itself in an excellent position for future growth.”

State and local officials took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony last month for the new plant, which will make Croda the first supplier in North America to produce 100 percent sustainable non-ionic surfactants.

Croda’s Atlas Point Site manufactures surfactants, emulsifiers and demulsifiers, with about half its production bound for consumer products and the other half for industrial uses. The facility encompasses a total of 150 acres.  Currently, the Atlas Point Site employs 200 team members.

“This investment represents a tidal shift, especially for consumer goods manufacturers who are striving for sustainability and performance,” said Steve Foots, Croda International Plc Group Chief Executive. “At Croda, sustainability is fundamental to who we are and what we do, and we’re proud to be launching this first-of-its-kind initiative here in North America.”

On Monday, Croda was approved for a maximum total of $2,487,384.46 in Delaware Strategic Fund grants, including: A job retention grant of $287,828.46; a job creation performance grant of $699,556; and a capital expenditure grant of a maximum of $1.5 million.

“Croda continues to make major investments at their Atlas Point facility in Delaware. This renewable energy process will add new jobs while at the same time improving the safety of our environment,” said Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “This commitment ensures that Croda will remain a major contributor to Delaware’s economy for many years to come.”

About the Delaware Economic Development Office The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Croda Croda is a specialty chemical manufacturer who, through the imaginative and practical use of science, creates ingredients and technologies that improve people’s lives by enhancing everyday products. They are the name behind the high-performance ingredients in some of the biggest, most successful brands in the world, creating products that are relied on by industries and consumers worldwide. Croda has 3,500-plus employees work across 18 manufacturing sites and in offices in over 34 countries. In the wide ranging business sectors that they serve, its focus is on developing and delivering innovative ingredients for; Personal Care; Crop Care; Home Care; Health Care; Geo Technologies; Industrial Chemicals; Polymer Additives; Coatings and Polymers and Lubricants. Visit www.croda.com.

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