Consul-General Watanabe attends groundbreaking ceremony for new UBE plant
2025/2/13
On February 13, Consul-General Watanabe attended the ceremony for a new UBE plant in Waggaman, Louisiana (Jefferson Parish), joining company executives and local business leaders in breaking ground.
At the ceremony, Consul-General Watanabe recognized the great significance of this new plant to supply chains and economic security in the U.S. He also expressed his hope that the project will further strengthen the economic partnership between Japan and Louisiana. A recorded congratulatory message from Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, a native of Yamaguchi Prefecture where UBE was founded, was also shared. In the video message, he mentioned that, in February this year, Prime Minister Ishiba had conveyed to President Trump in Washington, D.C. his intention to increase Japanese investment in the U.S. Mr. Hayashi said that this project is a great example of investment in the U.S. and expressed his hope that the project will deepen the economic ties between the two countries.
Last February, UBE Corporation, through its U.S. operating subsidiary UBE C1 Chemicals America, announced the construction of a new $520 million plant, which is scheduled to begin operations in November 2026. This will be the first facility in the U.S. to produce certain key materials used in the manufacture of lithium batteries and semiconductors.
At the ceremony, Consul-General Watanabe recognized the great significance of this new plant to supply chains and economic security in the U.S. He also expressed his hope that the project will further strengthen the economic partnership between Japan and Louisiana. A recorded congratulatory message from Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, a native of Yamaguchi Prefecture where UBE was founded, was also shared. In the video message, he mentioned that, in February this year, Prime Minister Ishiba had conveyed to President Trump in Washington, D.C. his intention to increase Japanese investment in the U.S. Mr. Hayashi said that this project is a great example of investment in the U.S. and expressed his hope that the project will deepen the economic ties between the two countries.
Last February, UBE Corporation, through its U.S. operating subsidiary UBE C1 Chemicals America, announced the construction of a new $520 million plant, which is scheduled to begin operations in November 2026. This will be the first facility in the U.S. to produce certain key materials used in the manufacture of lithium batteries and semiconductors.