Aspen Aerogels Unveils New $30 Million Manufacturing Facility, Bringing Jobs, Investment to East Providence

Aspen Aerogels makes highly efficient aerogel thermal insulation products used in a variety of industries including defense; building and construction; and hydrocarbon exploration, transportation and refining.

"We are pleased to make this large investment inEast Providence. The facility is the centerpiece of our growth plans, which focus on helping our customers worldwide achieve their goals," said Don Young, Aspen Aerogels' president and CEO.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) were both instrumental in bringing critical support to the new manufacturing plant, located on Dexter Road, and creatingRhode Island jobs.

"I am pleased that Aspen Aerogels is opening this new facility and creating highly-skilled, manufacturing jobs here inEast Providence," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Armed Services Committee. "The most efficient thermal insulation in the world will be manufactured right here inEast Providence and it will help our troops in the field with everything from protecting them from heat seeking missiles to reducing the weight of ships and making them more energy efficient. I am pleased to have secured federal funding for this effort to strengthen our military and boostRhode Island's economy. This is a win for our state and a smart investment that can reduce our military's dependence on oil and also have meaningful implications in the commercial and consumer sectors as well."

"Bringing Aspen Aerogels toEast Providence is not only an investment in the city ofEast Providence, but more importantly, it is an investment in the people ofRhode Island," says Kennedy. "The opening of this new facility will bring many new jobs to the people ofRhode Island and in doing so, is an important step in bringing stability back to the economy ofRhode Island and its citizens," adds Kennedy.

"Aspen Aerogels' expansion is a great thing forRhode Island's economy. In addition to creating more high wage jobs for Rhode Islanders, the expansion further strengthens our state's position as a leader in high technology manufacturing. We look forward to supporting Aspen Aerogels' continued growth inRhode Island in the months and years to come," said Governor Donald L. Carcieri.

Aspen Aerogels is headquartered inNorthborough, Mass., where it has an R&D facility and a smaller manufacturing plant. The 150,000-square-footEast Providence plant triples the company's production capacity. The company anticipates continued growing customer demand to result in two additional expansion phases at theEast Providence facility, leading to increased local investment and jobs.

About Aspen Aerogels

Aspen Aerogels supplies reinforced, nanoporous aerogel insulation products that are up to eight times more effective than other insulation materials. Aspen Aerogels' insulation solutions deliver thermal and other benefits that enable customers to conserve energy and save money in a variety of industries including: oil and gas production and processing, LNG shipping and storage, outdoor apparel, building and construction, appliance, transportation, military, and aerospace. Visit http://www.aerogel.com for details.

SOURCE Aspen Aerogels

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