Solenis to spend $40 million on new R&D Center at Chestnut Run

476
Advertisement

North Wilmington-based Delaware-based Solenis will spend $40 million on a researech and development center in a 100,000-square-foot building at the Chestnut Run Innovation and Science Park, the former DuPont headquarters campus west of Wilmington.

Solenis supplies specialty chemicals in water treatment and other areas to consumer and industrial markets.

Solenis officials presented an application to Delaware’s Council on Development Finance for a Performance Grant of $552,000 and a Delaware Lab Space Grant of $3.5 million from the Delaware Strategic Fund Distribution of grants from the Delaware Strategic Fund are contingent on the company meeting employment and other commitments.

Solenis previously received grant assistance in an environment where neighboring states offer similar incentives.

The new facility will provide Solenis with 20,000 square feet more lab space than the company currently has at its existing R&D center on Ashland’s site west of Wilmington.

Advertisement

In addition to the additional space, the larger, upgraded site will allow Solenis to add up to 46 Delaware jobs — including lab technicians, scientists and R&D supervisors — within the next three years.

“Solenis chose to build their global water technologies in Wilmington. This week’s announcement shows their continued commitment to our state and workforce,” said Gov. John Carney. “Solenis will expand its research and development operations to a 100,000-square-foot building. Thank you to Solenis for continuing to strengthen Delaware’s workforce and science and technology sector.”

Originally spun off from Ashland (former Hercules) and headquartered at North Wilmington’s Avenue North since 2020, Solenis has 48 manufacturing facilities and more than 6,400 employees around the world to serve industries in 120 countries. Solenis currently employs more than 300 in Delaware, with approximately 185 employees at the Avenue North headquarters and 140 employees at its Ashland R&D site.

Solenis, owned by a private equity company, has been growing through a number of acquisitions that included a business formerly owned by German chemical giant BASF and a swimming pool chemical company.

Solenis officials presented an application to Delaware’s Council on Development Finance (CDF) for a Jobs Performance Grant of $552,000 and a Delaware Lab Space Grant of $3.5 million from the Delaware Strategic Fund to support the company’s investment of $40 million. Distribution of grants from the Delaware Strategic Fund are dependent on the company meeting commitments as outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and approved the Solenis team’s request for up to $4.052 million in total grant funding.

“Solenis has deep roots in Delaware, so we are pleased to announce our continued commitment to growing in the state at CRISP,” said John Panichella, CEO, Solenis. “This investment of moving our Wilmington research center to a contemporary new location, in combination with our recently opened headquarters at Avenue North, allows us to continue to attract, retain and recruit the highest caliber of employees.”

Advertisement
Advertisement