Polymers & Chemicals

Advantage Valley is in the Nation’s Most Profitable Petrochemical Setting

Located in the heart of the Appalachian Basin, atop the abundant Marcellus and Rogersville Shale natural gas fields, Advantage Valley is part of one of the nation’s strongest energy-production regions. That and being within a single day’s drive of better than 70 percent of America’s polyethylene and polypropylene demand makes our area an ideal location for companies in the polymer and chemical industries. In fact, IHS Markit calls our region and the surrounding area the most profitable location for building petrochemical plants.

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With massive natural gas production, six navigable rivers with an unlimited fresh water supply and easy transportation of bulk cargoes, we keep petrochemical companies efficient and profitable. Chemical industrial parks throughout the state offer access to shared services and colocation at sites with significant infrastructure and existing permits. That’s why chemical and polymer companies like Dow, M&G Chemicals, Covestro, Chemours, DuPont, Kureha, Elementis Specialties, ICL IP America, Braskem America, and U.S. Methanol have significant operations here.

Advantage Valley’s labor shed includes 617,000 people, including a workforce representing 3X the national average of chemical production workers. Those workers and their employers benefit from workforce-focused programs at local colleges and universities, including classes in advanced manufacturing, chemical operations, engineering, additive manufacturing technology, machining, and robotics.

Served by three Interstates (I-64, I-77, and I-79) and several U.S. highways with Interstate access, Advantage Valley has fast connections to key cities and markets throughout the eastern half of the nation. Our area has also long been an important rail corridor, with busy CSX and Norfolk Southern mainlines connecting the region to the continent’s rail network, and ports along the Ohio River and in Virginia. We’re served by six navigable rivers with truck-to-barge capabilities, including the Port of Huntington-Tri-State and the Jackson County Maritime & Industrial Park. Companies needing access to air service appreciate Charleston Yeager Airport’s (KCRW) 6,800-foot runway and 24/7 FBO, and Huntington Tri-State (KHTS) has a 7,000-foot runway and Aeroplex capable of handling heavy air freight. Both airports have nonstop commercial travel to many cities, and Advantage Valley is served by many general aviation airports.