Mitsubishi Chemical Invests $20.3 Million to Expand Pennsylvania Production Base

The global materials manufacturer will renovate its existing facility at 2120 Fairmont Avenue in Reading, build supporting ancillary structures, and install new production equipment to expand capacity for specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites. Upon completion, the project will establish a Center of Excellence for general and high-performance engineering plastics extrusion processes, significantly strengthening the company’s R&D and innovation capabilities in North America.

Daniel Barish, President of Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Americas, stated, "This investment demonstrates Mitsubishi Chemical's long-term commitment to deepening its presence in Pennsylvania and supporting the expansion of local high-end manufacturing. With the establishment of our new Engineering Plastics Extrusion Excellence Center, we will strengthen our innovation and R&D capabilities, providing quality employment opportunities and development prospects for local residents. We are very grateful for the support from the Pennsylvania government, and we will continue to contribute to the stable growth of the regional economy."

The Pennsylvania state government supports this manufacturing expansion project.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has provided a $500,000 "Pennsylvania Priority Development" grant for this expansion. This support program is coordinated by Governor Josh Shapiro's BusinessPA team, which specializes in streamlining the approval process for business establishment and expansion projects across the state.

Siger stated, "The Shapiro administration continues to optimize the business environment to attract major manufacturing enterprises to invest. The expansion project of Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials in Reading will create a large number of new jobs, strengthen Pennsylvania's manufacturing foundation, and further solidify the reputation of the state's high-quality business environment."

Shapiro said, “Mitsubishi Chemical’s increased investment in Pennsylvania and expansion of local production capacity will bring more development opportunities to Berks County and demonstrate that our economic development efforts are delivering tangible results. This administration continues to cultivate a highly skilled technical workforce, streamline administrative approval processes, and clear backlogs of permit applications, ensuring that ready-to-build sites are available for companies looking to relocate or expand. We will continue to implement a range of economic support policies to help local businesses and workers and keep the state’s economy moving steadily forward.”

Local governments and chambers of commerce highly recognize this industrial expansion.

Reading Mayor Eddie Morán highly praised the investment, saying it fully demonstrates the company’s confidence in the local workforce and the city’s economic prospects.

Allen Gantz, Vice President of Economic Development and Strategy at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, explained the project’s significance for regional manufacturing.