Eastman To Expand Va. Films Plant

Eastman Chemical this week announced the largest expansion of its films operations to date.

The Tennessee-based chemical giant plans to invest $11.7 million in its Performance Films facility in Martinsville, Va., in the wake of recent product launches in paint protection films.

Company officials said that the expansion would bolster production of films for the automotive and architectural markets and support its LLumar and Suntek brands.

“This investment further solidifies Eastman’s commitment to the window and paint protection films markets and to making our manufacturing site in Henry County a state-of-the-art facility that produces the world’s highest quality films products," said Eastman Performance Films general manager Travis Smith.

The project is expected to be completed later this year and follows a $40 million investment announced in 2013.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said that the expansion would create 15 new jobs in the southern Virginia city. Eastman is eligible for benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program and received funding from both the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.

“As a global giant in the advanced manufacturing industry, Eastman’s decision to add capacity and invest in Martinsville-Henry County is a strong testament to our efforts to grow this critical sector and diversify and build the new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said in a statement.