Governor Corbett Announces Leading Chemical Manufacturer to Bring 100 Jobs to Delaware County

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that state economic development efforts will help EMD Chemicals - a leading chemical manufacturer - relocate its North American Performance Materials divisional headquarters to Delaware County.

"Pennsylvania is in constant competition with neighboring states for new economic investment and jobs," said Corbett. "My administration is committed to improving our business climate and making smart investments to make sure those jobs come to Pennsylvania."

The firm, a manufacturer of high-quality effect pigments, will move into a 27,000-square-foot leased facility in Tinicum Township. The site will serve as the North American headquarters for EMD Chemicals' performance materials division and will house its technology and customer center. The multi-million dollar project will create at least 100 jobs within five years.

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, or GAT, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

The company received a $595,000 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development, including a $250,000 opportunity grant, $45,000 in job training assistance and $300,000 in job creation tax credits.

"We are very excited about the move.  Bringing together key business areas and moving into a new state-of-the-art facility is a critical element in facilitating collaboration, increasing cost efficiencies, and offering a higher level of service to our customers as we execute our strategy to be the North American leader in effect pigments. The work of the Governor's Action Team helped make this vision a reality," said Luiz Vieira, Vice President of Pigments and RONA Cosmetics.

EMD Chemicals Inc. is a North American subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a global pharmaceutical and chemical company. Its Performance Materials division – which comprises the units Liquid Crystals & Advanced Technologies and Pigments & Cosmetics – provides highly innovative materials for advanced technologies and high-tech chemicals for sophisticated applications for a wide range of clients.

For more information about EMD Chemicals, visit www.emdchemicals.com.

For more information about the Governor's Action Team and other Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contacts:
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Steven Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor