Nearly four years of planning and building the Polypropylene Growth Project culminated in a special event this week, with Governor John Bel Edwards, Senator Bill Cassidy and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome delivering remarks and joining company executives, other local and state officials and community leaders in welcoming the project and its impact to Louisiana. 

One of ExxonMobil’s largest investments in Louisiana in the past decade, the Polypropylene Growth Project has doubled polypropylene production capacity at the Polyolefins Plant by up to 450,000 tons per year to meet growing demand for high-performance, lightweight and durable plastics, particularly for automotive parts that can improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions. Polypropylene, a polymer with several applications, is also used to improve the safety and efficiency of everyday products like medical masks and food packaging.

“For more than a century, ExxonMobil has been a leader in innovative technology, community investment and workforce development in Louisiana,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “The PPG Project is just the latest example of how ExxonMobil’s investments in our state create career opportunities for our citizens, provide new business for local companies and support community efforts. I’m proud that Louisiana’s strong business climate and competitive incentives programs were able to secure this investment for our state.”

“This project has been a major investment in the Baton Rouge economy and strengthened our community as a whole,” said East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. “From a new community center for North Baton Rouge non-profits to virtual reality student labs imbedded at our schools, ExxonMobil's decision to invest here has created a wave of positive impacts for residents across our region. I look forward to working with ExxonMobil to find new opportunities to expand industry's footprint here in Baton Rouge.”

Through the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) FastStart® program, the company contracted with eight Louisiana IT firms to develop virtual reality modules to train workers to safely construct and operate new manufacturing equipment and technology. 

“The PPG Project is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through LED’s FastStart® program," said Paul Helton, executive director of workforce development programs with Louisiana Economic Development. “ExxonMobil’s partnership with local IT firms helped grow several Louisiana businesses and gave local residents the innovative training needed to succeed in new careers with ExxonMobil and in industry across the state.”