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Columbus, OH — Calgon Carbon Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based Kuraray Co., Ltd., will invest nearly $90 million to expand and modernize its existing Columbus manufacturing facility. The project will add capacity to reactivate carbon used in municipal drinking water systems, helping utilities meet growing demand for treatment solutions that address PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly called ‘forever chemicals,’ and other water quality needs.
The expansion will create 17 new jobs, building upon the 42 existing positions while reinforcing the Columbus facility’s long-term role within Calgon Carbon’s North American operations.
“Calgon Carbon has spent decades developing the expertise, infrastructure and technology needed to support our customers’ evolving needs,” said Steve Schott, President and CEO of Calgon Carbon. “This investment strengthens our ability to serve communities across the country while reinforcing our commitment to innovation, operational excellence and sustainable growth.”
Pittsburgh-based Calgon Carbon manufactures activated carbon and other advanced treatment technologies used in water purification, environmental remediation, and industrial applications. The Columbus facility plays a key role in the company’s network of operations serving customers throughout North America.
The investment follows sustained engagement between Columbus Region economic development leaders and Kuraray, Calgon Carbon’s Japan-based parent company. Those relationships helped reinforce the Columbus facility’s role in the company’s long-term growth plans and positioned the Region as the right place for this next phase of investment.
“International economic development works when relationships are built in both directions,” said Franklin County Commissioner John O’Grady. “We have traveled to Japan to strengthen connections, and Japanese leaders have come here to see what Central Ohio can offer. That kind of consistent engagement builds trust, and this project is a clear example of how those relationships can lead to investment, jobs and long-term growth for Franklin County.”
“Foreign direct investment is helping shape the next chapter of growth in the Columbus Region,” said Deborah Scherer, Senior Vice President of Global Trade and Investment at One Columbus. “Calgon Carbon’s expansion shows how global companies can build on existing operations here and continue scaling for the future. These investments deepen our economic base and strengthen the Region’s international reach.”
The Columbus expansion will help Calgon Carbon serve water utilities facing growing demand for PFAS treatment, which removes certain long-lasting chemicals from drinking water. The company takes used carbon from water treatment systems, cleans and restores it so it can be used again, and helps reduce the need to send spent material to landfills.
“Columbus is proud to be home to a facility playing a direct role in protecting drinking water for people and communities across the country,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “We support technology that makes people’s lives better and appreciate that this expansion brings new jobs to our residents, strengthens an important local employer and connects our city to a national public health priority.”
“Ohio continues to attract global companies investing in advanced manufacturing and critical infrastructure,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Calgon Carbon’s expansion strengthens domestic capacity for water treatment solutions, strengthens the supply chain, advances Ohio’s long-term competitiveness, and creates new jobs in Columbus.”
The facility is located at 835 North Cassady Avenue in Columbus.
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About Calgon Carbon
Calgon Carbon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd. (TYO: 3405) (Kuraray), is a global leader in the manufacture and/or distribution of innovative coal-, wood- and coconut-based activated carbon products — in granular, powdered, pelletized and cloth forms — to meet the most challenging purification demands of customers throughout the world. Calgon Carbon provides purification solutions for more than 700 distinct applications, including drinking water, wastewater, pollution abatement, and a variety of industrial and commercial manufacturing processes. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Calgon Carbon employs approximately 1,740 people and operates 20 manufacturing, reactivation, innovation and equipment fabrication facilities in the U.S., Asia, and in Europe, where Calgon Carbon is known as Chemviron. Calgon Carbon was acquired by Kuraray in March of 2018. Visit CalgonCarbon.com.
About the Columbus Partnership
The Columbus Partnership brings together civic-minded business leaders to advance a shared vision to make Columbus the most prosperous region in the country. Columbus Partnership member CEOs are committed to the future of the Columbus metropolitan area through high-impact civic and philanthropic engagement. Through our One Columbus and Smart Columbus brands and investor support, our team works to help create jobs and attract capital investment, expand access to opportunity, and improve the economic competitiveness of the Columbus Region. Learn more at columbusregion.com.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with seven regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.