Alexium-AFRL to create new textiles & advanced materials

13 May '10

4 min read

Alexium Inc., a subsidiary of Alexium International Group limited listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (Alexium) and The South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Greenville Area Development Corporation and the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announced that, Alexium will establish its new technical fabric manufacturing and research and development plant in Greenville County.

Alexium is anticipating investing $8 million in the SC operations over the next five years and add 200 new jobs to spur company growth, leveraging investment capital, government funding, and commercial revenues.

“We are pleased to locate our new facility in the South Carolina Upstate. The area offers us an excellent business environment and a strong workforce, as well as exceptional market access. We are already working on contracts for the military and this facility will allow us to meet increasing demand for our products. Greenville County provides an excellent location and a positive business environment for our operations. We appreciate all the support and the package of financial incentives given to us by state and local officials as well as SCRA,” said Stefan Susta, director of Alexium Inc.

Incentives provided include, property taxes rebates, state and local corporate income tax credits, job tax credits, sales tax exemptions and other incentives such as employee training incentives and equipment assistance. This announcement follows years of extensive research undertaken by the U.S. Air Force Research Labs, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL), Air Base Science Division and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, Joint Science & Technology Office, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Alexium will not only produce innovative technical fabric products for the U.S. military but will cooperate with AFRL to create exciting new textiles and advanced materials for a broad range of commercial applications using a reactive surface treatment technology.

“Alexium is an innovative company that produces and improves leading-edge technologies. The state's strengths in high-tech manufacturing, the defense industry, a growing advanced materials industry and a skilled workforce second to none were driving forces in our state's ability to recruit Alexium to Greenville County. This announcement coupled with many others in recent months clearly demonstrates that Commerce and its economic development partners are successful in recruiting job opportunities that grow the knowledge base in our state. We welcome Alexium to South Carolina and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them in the years ahead,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

Alexium, which is locating its operations at 8 Distribution Court in Greer, expects to have the facility completely up and running by the end of July and is accepting purchase orders from government and commercial entities. The companywill be training part of its workforce with help from readySC.

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