Aspen Aerogels to open manufacturing facility in Bulloch County

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that Aspen Aerogels, a technology leader in aerogel-based sustainability and electrification solutions, plans to construct an advanced manufacturing facility at Bulloch County’s Southern Gateway Commerce Park. Aspen intends to invest a minimum of $325 million and to create more than 250 advanced manufacturing jobs at its new site near Statesboro, where production is expected to begin in late 2023.

“Aspen Aerogels has put their confidence in Georgia, our people, and the growing electric mobility sector in our state, and we are excited to add this American company to our rapidly expanding EV portfolio,” Kemp said in a news release. “Every day, we are utilizing our many assets to bring jobs to hard-working Georgians in every corner of the Peach State, and this is just the latest to come to Bulloch County and southeast Georgia.”

Combined with Aspen’s original East Providence, R.I., plant, the planned state-of-the-art facility in Georgia is designed to triple Aspen’s nameplate aerogel capacity in support of the company’s thermal barrier expansion plans in the fast-growing electric vehicle market. Through the project, Aspen is seeking to capitalize on increased demand for Aspen’s Aerogel Technology Platform as EV OEMs continue to adopt its PyroThin aerogel thermal barrier solutions.

“We are pleased to be in the state of Georgia for the siting, development, and construction of our PyroThin materials plant,” Don Young, president and CEO of Aspen, said. “The city of Statesboro and the Bulloch County region offer Aspen a superior combination of operating features, including access to efficient ports; a strong, available work force; and secure, low-cost utilities and critical raw materials. We are increasingly being asked to provide broader solutions for improved battery performance and safety centered on our PyroThin materials that provide thermal management, mechanical stability, and fire protection properties to EV battery systems.”

Aspen plans to build a 500,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility situated on a 90-acre parcel in southeast Georgia. The company plans to begin hiring personnel in the second half of 2022 across a number of disciplines, ranging from skilled manufacturing operators to advanced process engineers, as well as quality and maintenance technicians and professional support. Individuals interested in employment opportunities with Aspen Aerogels are encouraged to visit www.aerogel.com for additional information.

“On behalf of the Development Authority of Bulloch County, we are proud to welcome Aspen Aerogels to the Statesboro-Bulloch County community and our region,” Billy Allen, vice chair of the Development Authority, said. “Along with our great site and logistics advantages, we believe that Aspen’s decision to locate here is a testament to our region’s commitment to innovation, particularly in the electric mobility ecosystem. We are confident that our tremendous education resources, including Georgia Southern University and Ogeechee Technical College, will provide critical support to help Aspen flourish.”

Assistant Director Alyce Thornhill represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce division on this project in partnership with the Development Authority of Bulloch County, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia EMC.

“It’s a thrilling day to be able to welcome Aspen Aerogels’ innovative, sustainable solutions for the electric vehicle and energy storage markets to Georgia,” GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson said. “We look forward to having Georgia employees collaborating with Aspen’s network of world-class scientists, engineers, and additional skilled work force to solve the challenges of our changing mobility landscape. On behalf of the department, we also extend our thanks to our partners in Bulloch County for their partnership on this project and send our hearty congratulations on bringing this exciting company to the community.”

Southern Gateway Commerce Park is a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development-Certified park. To earn a GRAD program certification, a property must undergo due diligence and complete specific certification requirements prior to a visit by a prospective business. Completing the GRAD certification program with the Georgia Department of Economic Development is a proactive way both community planners and landowners can help catalyze economic growth and industrial development for the regions they serve.

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