The plant, which employs about 250 people, will now be one of only two plants in the U.S. to produce Forane 1233zd. The chemical is described as an innovative material that can more efficiently manage temperature in several applications. It is what they describe as a foam blowing agent. This chemical propels the material and causes the foam to expand, creating that insulating barrier. It can be used in construction, but there are also automotive and home appliance uses, as well.
Carl Stewart, the plant manager in Calvert City, told West Kentucky Star that the properties that help propel the product can also make it useful in cooling applications like those within electric vehicle charging stations. The chemical can help keep the chargers cooler, making a recharge quicker and more efficient. It can even be used in larger situations like a data center.
The new unit to produce Forane 1233zd replaced one that produced automotive refrigerant and has a much lower “global warming potential.” That is measured by a product’s equivalency to carbon dioxide. The previous product was on the order of 1400-to-one, while Forane 1233zd is said to be one-to-one.
Up until now, Forane 1233zd has been mainly produced outside the U.S. The company said that this new production facility will maintain 60 of the jobs currently at the plant and position it as a key location as demand for the product grows.
