Japanese chemical company Otsuka Chemical Co. has announced plans to open a new North American facility in Georgia. The news was confirmed by Gov. Nathan Deal, who said that the company would base its U.S. operation in an industrial park in Spalding County.
The new plant will manufacture fiber-free potassium titanate, called Terracess. According to a statement by Otsuka the material is gaining popularity, particularly in the automotive industry, where it is used in the production of brake pads. Choosing the United States, therefore, makes a lot of economic sense as the country boasts a rapidly growing new automobile market and a large number of brake pad development sites. The Georgia plant will be the third manufacturing facility for Otsuka, following those in Japan and China, and will create 32 jobs, the company added. Operations are planned to commence in November 2015, with the facility working at an annual production capacity of 2,000 metric tons of Terracess.
Hiroyoshi Tosa, chief executive officer of Otsuka Chemical America, Inc., commented that the company was looking forward to contributing to the local community, while making sure it was delivering high-quality and environmentally-friendly products to its customers. Gov. Deal welcomed Otsuka's decision to choose Georgia for its brand new facility as it will help to further boost the state's favorable business climate and attract more global companies to the area.
