Graphite giant Mersen to invest $70 million to revitalize past Union Carbide site in Columbia

Global graphite-producing giant Mersen, based in France, will revitalize the previous Union Carbide plant in Columbia, Tenn., investing an estimated $70 million in the area economy and bringing 100 new employees on board to the expanded operations.

Mersen, a global leader in electrical power and advanced materials, will operate at the 60-acre site over 800,000 square feet across 10 buildings off Santa Fe Pike set to produce 120 metric tons of graphite.

The plant once housed the operations of Union Carbide, dating back to the late 1990s, but most recently housed Graftech Advanced Graphite, which was recently bought by CRG LLC and then sold to Mersen in 2019.

Mersen, a $1.2 billion company, operates plants in 35 countries, including 10 in the U.S., employing 7,500 people.

Furthering graphite production is part of the company's strategic plan, starting isostatic graphite production, mainly for the semiconductor market, in Columbia.

The plant will be equipped to produce 4,000 tons of extruded graphite, 120 tons of insulation felt and 2,000 tons of isostatic graphite per year.

In another two years, Mersen will continue the expansion of the plant and operations, investing another projected $40 million, according to company officials. Veronica Hobbs, Columbia-based Merson Human Resources Director, said the plant has already expanded from 50 employees to 85 employees, attracting workers on the values of teamwork, collaboration and recruiting.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception, said attracting the company to expand in Columbia was a top priority while he served as Maury County Mayor four years ago ahead of being elected to serve the 5th Congressional District after a tumultuous election.

"I had the privilege of being here at the beginning of this project," Ogles said to the crowd of over 100 attendees including elected officials, company representatives and workers.

He explained how the county and city and Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance helped to bring the company to Columbia, working diligently since before the pandemic, which temporarily stopped momentum on the project.

"This was a jewel in the rough," Ogles said. "They wanted to make it fit. They wanted to make it work. We are known as the mule capitol of the world. During WW I, we served the world in mules. We powered the world ... When you look at the electrification of North America and Europe and the world, Middle Tennessee and Columbia will once again be powering the world with this product."

Eric Guajioty, Mersen executive vice president of advanced materials, who is based in Paris, has flown to Columbia 36 times to oversee the transition of the sale of Mersen and to launch plant operations.

"This is a big adventure," Guajioty said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to revitalize this site, boost the local economy and bring jobs and people to bring life to this plant."

Mersen CEO Luc Themelin spoke more about the operations at the site, which is already in production.

"I'm very proud of what has been achieved at the Columbia site in the last four years in terms of redevelopment, investment, roduction start-up and more," Themelin said. "it is now a key site in our manufacturing base, bringing together production capacities for extruded graphite, isostatic graphite and insulating felts.

"We intend to continue investing to meet increased demand from sustainable development markets, particularly the SiC semiconductor market."

Lance Butler, Columbia Mersen General Manager, who moved to the area two years ago to launch the plant said he is glad the manufacturing plant will bring jobs to the community and contribute to the economy. In addition, he said Columbia and the surrounding area reminds him of growing up in a small town.

"This is home. It's beautiful. I only wish I had been smart enough to move here sooner," Butler said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Graphite giant Mersen to invest $70 million, 100 jobs in Columbia plant