Chemical Company Adds R&D Lab in East Chicago

(photo courtesy of Grace)

Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now

This audio file is brought to you by

0:00

0:00

Loading audio file, please wait.

Speed
1.00

• 0.25
• 0.50
• 0.75
• 1.00
• 1.25
• 1.50
• 1.75
• 2.00

Maryland-based W.R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA) is adding to its colloidal manufacturing site in East Chicago. The global specialty chemical company says the new analytical lab will be used for research and development to find new applications for its colloidal silica produced at the Lake County facility.

The LUDOX colloidal silica produced at the plant is used in a variety of applications, including nonstick cookware, coatings, and concrete. The company says the product has “considerable untapped potential” for new uses.

“This investment positions Grace at the forefront of ongoing innovation and accelerates our responsiveness to the evolving needs of our customers’ use of LUDOX in critical applications,” Sandra Wisniewski, president of Grace Materials Technologies, said in a news release. “We are excited to expand our footprint in the East Chicago community and have extended capabilities that will support continued global demand.”

Financial terms of the company’s investment in the lab are not being disclosed. A spokesperson for Grace says the investment in the new lab did not create any new jobs, though the facility currently employs 50 in East Chicago.