Gray, UBE C1 Chemicals America, Inc., and Cornerstone Energy Park Celebrate Groundbreaking for New Manufacturing Facility

WAGGAMAN, La., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gray, a fully integrated leader specializing across Construction, Professional Services, Specialty Equipment, and Real Estate segments is proud to announce a partnership with UBE C1 Chemicals America, Inc. (UCCA) and Cornerstone Energy Park (CEP), culminated at the groundbreaking celebration for UBE's new chemical production facility.

The new $500 million manufacturing facility will be located at Cornerstone Energy Park in Waggaman, Louisiana.

This UBE facility will create the first reliable domestic U.S. supply of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), critical components of lithium-ion battery and semiconductor manufacturing.

"We are thrilled to partner with UBE on this exciting new project," says Stephen Gray, president & CEO, Gray, Inc. "This state-of-the-art facility not only underscores our commitment to advancing sustainable technologies but also plays a pivotal role in strengthening the domestic supply chain for electric vehicle battery components. The essential materials produced at this plant will contribute to the growth of the already booming EV industry."

"This manufacturing facility will be UBE's first large-scale chemical facility in the United States, and CEP offers not only a strategic location but also raw materials needed for manufacturing, an abundant labor force, and competitive logistics," said Masato Izumihara, President and Representative Director of UBE.

Gray is providing architecture, construction, equipment procurement, and MEP engineering for the modular, open-air chemical processing facility. Gray will set the customer's 5-story pipe racks and handle all piping and connections from the racks to processing modules and utility points.

Japan-based fabricator Morimatsu will manufacture the processing modules. In addition to design-build services, Gray will oversee the quality program for fabrication and coordinate logistics for delivery, including constructing a temporary barge facility on the Mississippi River and a temporary bridge.

Construction will require more than 1,800 helical piles for deep foundations and over 6,400 metric tons of steel. The finished facility will also feature a 34,000 GPM cooling tower, onsite wastewater and waste gas treatment, and specialized fire protection.

This project will bolster the U.S. supply chain for lithium-ion batteries essential to electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as semiconductors vital to electronic devices across industries.

The UCCA facility is estimated to create 50-60 new skilled positions, with over 400 workers on-site at peak construction. The project is expected to be complete in 2027.

About Gray:

Gray is a fully integrated service provider, delivering end-to-end solutions in Construction, Professional Services, Specialty Equipment, and Real Estate. Since 1960, we have grown from a regional contractor to a nationally ranked leader, serving top companies in our core markets. Our comprehensive services—spanning design, engineering, construction, automation, equipment, and real estate—make us a trusted partner for every phase of a project. Whether designing and building a state-of-the-art facility, fabricating custom process equipment, or implementing advanced automation, our expertise drives innovation and value at every step. At Gray, we don't just build projects—we build lasting partnerships.

For more information on Gray, visit gray.com and follow Gray on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Media Contact:
Abby Johnson
Vice President, Integrated Marketing
606.923.2062
[email protected]

SOURCE Gray Construction