February 21, 2018
The Charleston International Manufacturing Center (CIMC) at Bushy Park, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, announced today that they are building a liquid sodium silicate production facility on their site. A versatile raw material, liquid sodium silicate is used in the production of goods such as tires, detergent, adhesive for boxes and toothpaste, to name a few. Construction began earlier this year and should be finished by this summer.
The $20 million investment will create the first liquid sodium facility in South Carolina and 11 jobs. CIMC already has one customer in current tenant Evonik, a German manufacturing company that is nearing completion of a $120 million plant at CIMC to manufacture precipitated silica. Liquid sodium silicate is used to create precipitated silica, among other materials needed for advanced manufacturing, giving CIMC the opportunity to expand its services to tenants like Evonik and other manufacturers around the Southeast.
“Our investment in the new liquid sodium facility signifies our continued commitment to conduct long term business in the state of South Carolina and to partner with innovative, world class manufacturers like Evonik,” said Bill Falls, Energy Division CFO at Pacolet Milliken Enterprises. “While liquid sodium silicate may not be a familiar product, it is used in many of the items that are part of our daily lives, and our production of it at CIMC will open the door to attracting new world class companies to the region.”
CIMC is currently home to eight other global manufacturers who collectively have invested over $1.2 billion and created hundreds of jobs. The 1750-acre site includes 500 acres of developable land including shovel-ready lots. CIMC recently added both rail service and deep-water access to their transportation capabilities. In addition, CIMC offers tenants existing infrastructure including steam, nitrogen, compressed air, processed water, wastewater treatment and more.
“CIMC is one of the most unique industrial assets in the Southeast and a key economic driver for the region,” said Richard Webel, president of Pacolet Milliken. “Investments such as this facility and the transportation and utility services that CIMC offers truly sets it apart.”
“South Carolina’s manufacturing industry continues to grow, and today’s announcement by the Charleston International Manufacturing Center is the latest example of that,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “This new $20 million liquid sodium production facility will only help advance South Carolina’s reputation as a global industry leader, and I look forward to watching its success for many years to come.”
“Congratulations to CIMC for making a significant investment in infrastructure that will help strengthen the region’s and state’s competitiveness in advanced manufacturing,” said Will Helmly, Board Chairman, Charleston Regional Development Alliance. “This sodium silicate dissolver is another tool in the toolbox the Charleston metro offers businesses to succeed.”
The process that will take place at the new facility involves dissolving sodium silicate with high pressure and removing its impurities through filtration. The new facility will house tanks where the liquid sodium silicate will be stored ready for use. CIMC’s water, road and rail access simplifies the process of supplying other manufacturers in the region with the material.
About Pacolet Milliken
Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc. is a private, family-owned investment company founded in 2007 by the shareholders of Milliken & Company with a forward-looking mission to secure and grow high-quality assets with enduring value in the energy and real estate markets. For more information, please visit www.pacoletmilliken.com.
About Charleston International Manufacturing Center at Bushy Park
Charleston International Manufacturing Center (CIMC) at Bushy Park is a 1750-acre industrial site near Charleston, SC with deep water access and 300 acres of developable land including shovel-ready lots. The site offers existing infrastructure including steam, nitrogen, compressed air, processed water, waste water treatment, etc. CIMC is home to numerous industries including medical device, construction and chemical and power cable manufacturing. World class companies at the industrial complex include, Evonik, Symrise, Lanxess, and Nexans. Cooper River Partners, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, is the owner and operator of CIMC. More information about CIMC can be found at www.charlestonmanufacturing.com.
