Baton Rouge is gearing up for growth as Katoen Natie Baton Rouge, LLC officially started construction on a $25 million expansion of its Polymers Terminal. The investment is a signal of the global logistics player's commitment to enhancing its presence in Louisiana's specialty chemicals and advanced materials market. Expectations are set for the creation of 13 new jobs directly and another nine indirectly as a result of the expansion, which was announced in a statement by the Louisiana Economic Development released yesterday.
As a major boon for the local community, these new employment opportunities will be alongside 29 existing roles that Katoen Natie is retaining. The project, getting the Capital Region's logistics infrastructure one step further, involves constructing a 300,000-square-foot warehouse for storage and preparation of titanium dioxide and other industrial products. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said, "Katoen Natie’s continued investment in Baton Rouge reflects the confidence global companies have in Louisiana's ability to deliver for the specialty process industries and advanced manufacturing sectors."
The warehouse is planned to support not only local industries but also places Baton Rouge at the heart of global supply chains. As stated by Katoen Natie's President of Specialty Chemicals, Sam Dhollander, "With this project Katoen Natie reconfirms that Baton Rouge is key within its global network of high end logistics and added value platforms for the chemical industry." According to the same news release, the construction is anticipated to be wrapped up by October 2026, with operations launching the following month.
A competitive incentives package from the state was instrumental, securing Katoen Natie's expansion. Included was a mix of workforce development solutions from LED FastStart and a $200,000 performance-based grant for site improvements, as revealed by the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership President & CEO Lori Melancon. "We are delighted to see Katoen Natie make a $25 million commitment to expand their Polymers Terminal in East Baton Rouge Parish," she stated on the Louisiana Economic Development. The company's decision is a testament to the region's strengths in logistics and manufacturing industries.
In line with the development, the company is urging interested candidates and businesses to stay informed about future hiring events and contract opportunities. Job seekers are invited to register for notifications on Katoen Natie Baton Rouge's website, while local companies can ensure their registration at SourceLouisiana.com to remain in the loop for vendor prospects with statewide development projects.
