LaPorte Lands R & D Production Facility, Jobs

MonoSol, LLC says it will locate a new research and development production facility in LaPorte, creating about 36 new jobs initially, with plans to grow that number over time. The LaPorte City Council on Monday evening approved a property tax abatement package worth more than $923,000. MonoSol says the LaPorte facility will focus on food and home products uses for its water soluble film technology.

Press Release

LAPORTE, Ind. (May 22, 2007) - MonoSol LLC, a global leader in the development and commercialization of water soluble products and packaging, announced today it will build a new high-tech production facility here, creating 36 new jobs.

The company will invest more than $11 million to build a 30,000 square-foot facility to house its new food-grade film production line.

“MonoSol is an innovative company that continues to invest in Indiana and create jobs for hard-working Hoosiers,” said Nathan Feltman, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

In addition to the new production line, the new facility will also house pilot manufacturing equipment that MonoSol will use to develop and test innovations created at their research and development center in Portage. Construction on the new facility is slated to begin this summer.

“As the market leader in water-soluble packaging, MonoSol is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rising consumer demand for products that are eco-friendly and innovative, and that offer unique convenience and safety attributes to the consumer,” said P. Scott Bening, President and CEO of MonoSol LLC.

The new production facility comes as the demand for water-soluble, edible and environmentally friendly films and products continues to grow around the globe. MonoSol’s products simplify a wide variety of consumer applications and production processes by allowing manufacturers to package pre-measured ingredients in water-soluble and edible pouches that can be introduced into mixes without the need to weigh, sort or remove packaging materials.

“This is a very significant addition to our community,” said LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris. “The investment the company is making and the jobs they are creating are very important, but the fact that a very progressive and innovative company such as MonoSol has chosen La Porte for expansion says volumes about our community.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered the company up to $170,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $78,500 in training grants based on the company’s announced plans. The Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation assisted the company in negotiating a land price for the new facility in the City of LaPorte’s Thomas Rose Industrial Park, and the City of LaPorte offered property tax abatement worth more than $923,000.

MonoSol currently employs more than 140 Hoosiers at its global headquarters in Merrillville and its facility in Portage. In addition to its Indiana workforce, MonoSol employs more than 50 at its production facility in England.

About MonoSol LLC

Since 1953, MonoSol LLC has been the world leader in specialty water-soluble polymer-based films. Today, MonoSol offers a wide range of water-soluble packaging films, mold-release films, transfer printing, embroidery support films, water-soluble laundry bags and unique laminated and coated soluble films custom designed for environmentally friendly packaging and disposable systems. MonoSol LLC maintains a global network of dedicated partners to offer sales, service and technical support to its worldwide customer base. Certified ISO 9001:2000, MonoSol maintains the highest quality standards. For more information about MonoSol, visit www.monosol.com.

About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is the state’s premier entity charged with economic development. The IEDC has a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mitch Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman is also chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.IN.gov.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation