PITTSBURGH, PA – Calgon Carbon Corporation (NYSE:CCC) (Calgon Carbon or the Company), a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of activated carbon products, has been awarded up to $15.4 million from the United States Government as part of the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Program.
The Title III Program funding awarded to Calgon Carbon is dedicated to mitigating the supply chain risk associated with the manufacture of activated carbon products used in military personal protection equipment and collective protection equipment. The award allows for the construction of a manufacturing facility at the Company’s Pearl River plant in Bay St. Louis, MS, which will provide the capability to assure uninterrupted supply of the critical military materials. Currently, these U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) materials are only produced at Calgon Carbon’s Neville Island plant near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
DPA Title III Award
The Title III Program is a Department of Defense-wide initiative under the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing, and Industrial Base Policy (MIBP). Within the DoD, the U.S. Air Force serves as the Executive Agent for the Title III Program. The mission of the program is to “create assured, affordable, and commercially viable production capabilities and capacities for items essential for national defense.”
The DPA funding, awarded based on Calgon Carbon’s manufacturing capability and experience, became effective September 21, 2016. Project construction is expected to begin in January 2018 following completion of engineering and permitting activities. The new capability is expected to be operational by March 2019. Project construction is expected to generate approximately 25 jobs, while the operation of the new facility is expected to create 18 full-time jobs in the state of Mississippi.
Calgon Carbon and the U.S. Military
Mr. Douglas Bryce, Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense for the U.S. DoD said, “We look forward to our continued close working relationship with Calgon Carbon. Their dedication to supporting U.S. DoD and Allied Nations through the production of the critical defense materials for protecting war fighters from chemical-biological-radiological agents is recognized and appreciated. This project with the Defense Production Act Title III Program will help assure the uninterrupted supply of these important granular activated carbon materials for our national defense.”
Calgon Carbon has a long history with the U.S. DoD, dating back to World War II.
“Calgon Carbon’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense began in the 1940s when it was awarded a contract to protect U.S. war fighters from a disruption in the supply of the critical material that would protect them in chemical warfare environments,” said Randy Dearth, Calgon Carbon’s Chairman, President, and CEO. “Building on our 75-year legacy of producing granular activated carbon products for use in military personal protection equipment and collective protection equipment, we’re extremely proud that the U.S. DoD continues to put its trust in Calgon Carbon.”
Calgon Carbon and Mississippi
“The Defense Production Act Title III Program supports manufacturers to advance as well as maintain the industrial manufacturing that specializes in materials used for U.S. DoD applications. Production capabilities that would otherwise be inadequate are transformed to support the material requirements of defense programs in a timely and affordable manner. I am pleased that this project will move forward and that Calgon Carbon has confidence in the Mississippi workforce skills and business environment to locate the project at the Port Bienville Industrial Park,” said Senator Thad Cochran (MS).
“The announcement of Calgon Carbon’s agreement with the DoD is great news for our war fighters and for South Mississippi,” said Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4). “Establishing a capability for manufacturing critical materials to protect our men and women in uniform from chemical, biological and radiological agents is a perfect example of the smart federal investment that I continue to work to bring to South Mississippi. I look forward to the continued expansion of Calgon Carbon and the Port Bienville facility.”
“Mississippi is proud to be home to great companies that play a key role in supporting our brave men and women in the military who protect and defend freedom,” said Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “Calgon Carbon is one of these great companies, and MDA appreciates its investment at Port Bienville, and we are excited about the plans to expand operations in Hancock County making an additional investment and creating new careers. This expansion is a testament to the thriving pro-business environment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
“Calgon Carbon Corporation has been an outstanding community partner here for 25 years,” said Bill Cork, CEO of Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. “The Defense Production Act enables Calgon Carbon to construct new capabilities at their existing facility. This continued investment illustrates the strategic importance of Port Bienville to the chemical industry. We are proud of Calgon Carbon and its role in supporting our troops and are thrilled to see their success.”
About Calgon Carbon
Calgon Carbon Corporation (NYSE:CCC) is a global leader in innovative solutions, high quality products and reliable services designed to protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants in water and air. As a leading manufacturer of activated carbon, with broad capabilities in ultraviolet light disinfection, the Company provides purification solutions for drinking water, wastewater, pollution abatement, and a variety of industrial and commercial manufacturing processes.
For more information about Calgon Carbon’s leading activated carbon, filtration media, and ultraviolet technology solutions, visit www.calgoncarbon.com.
About Cooperative Energy
Cooperative Energy works with the Power of 12 (Cooperative Energy and 11 Member electric cooperatives) to provide electricity from the Mississippi Delta to the Coast. The 11 distribution cooperatives own and maintain approximately 56,900 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 423,000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties in Mississippi.