REAWAKENED FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY
Uranium enrichment company General Matter has $1.5 billion dollar plans to take over the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in western Kentucky. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the duo will construct its own commercial uranium enrichment facility by 2030. “Seventy-five years ago, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission selected Paducah to help lead the nation’s original enrichment efforts,” said General Matter CEO Scott Nolan. “We are proud to return to and reactivate this historic site to power a new era of American energy independence, and we thank our partners in Kentucky and at the DOE’s Office of Environmental Management and the Office of Nuclear Energy for supporting us in this landmark investment in American nuclear infrastructure.” The facility will also introduce fuel production required for the next generation of nuclear energy, which could potentially save the nation up to $500 million a year on imports. Once operational, the project will create 140 new jobs in the region.
FRESH R&D FOR A HEALTHY SMILE
Global consumer health care manufacturer Haleon has officially broken ground on its new Global Oral Health Innovation Center just southwest of London in the town of Weybridge. The location is anticipated to become the R&D epicenter that will aid the growth of the company’s oral health portfolio, which includes leading brands Aquafresh, Biotène, Polident and Sensodyne. Haleon’s $158 million investment will target new research, commercial and supply chain resiliency, and collaboration. To ensure internal collaboration stretches beyond this physical location, the facility will also feature a digital immersive room that will allow the team to practice real-time collaboration with a Haleon manufacturing site in Levice, Slovakia. “Haleon is breaking ground on a new center that will place the UK at the forefront of innovation to improve everyone’s oral health — which we know is important to our wider health, and to children’s development,” said UK Minister for Technology Baroness Jones. “This center, and the substantial investment behind it, is proof that the UK’s world-leading life sciences sector is the place to be to grow businesses and work on fresh ideas to transform health care. Leveraging these strengths will lead to the long-term economic growth that will help us deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Photo courtesy of AbbVie
WINDY CITY GROWTH
AbbVie reaffirms commitment to its Illinois operations with a new expansion planned for the company’s Chicago manufacturing facility. The pharmaceutical giant announced the $195 million investment last week, which comes as part of its greater $10 billion strategy to strengthen U.S. manufacturing capabilities and capacity. “Over the next decade, AbbVie will expand production of API, drug product, peptides and medical devices in the U.S. to support future medical breakthroughs,” said AbbVie CEO Robert A. Michael. “This is an important step to maintain U.S. leadership in pharmaceutical innovation and deliver next-generation medicines that make a remarkable impact on patients’ lives.” The north Chicago site will grow to enhance the company’s chemical synthesis capabilities for neuroscience, immunology and oncology medicines. Construction on the site is slated to begin this fall with full completion anticipated by 2027. AbbVie’s investment will be supported by an Economic Development for a Growing Economy agreement with the state.
Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore
