U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., talks with some people gathered during a ceremony Wednesday at Chemours Washington Works to commemorate the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

WASHINGTON, W.Va. — A vital piece of American defense and a key economic component will be manufactured at Chemours Washington Works, said U.S. Senator Joe Manchin.

Manchin, I-W.Va., was at Chemours on Wednesday for a ribbon cutting to commemorate the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers, an advanced material critical to manufacturing semiconductor chips used in phones, computers, automotive electrical systems, defense systems, AI and more that is a vital component in much of the U.S. and global economy.

The Washington Works facility is the only manufacturer of Teflon fluoropolymers in the United States. It is expected to create 20 new jobs.

When the war in Ukraine began, Russian President Vladimir Putin weaponized energy against Europe. Manchin said he realized that the U.S. relied on China for a lot of products used daily, especially in electronics.

“We have lost sight of what we need for the building blocks of America,” he said. “We can’t rely on undependable foreign supply chains.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., addresses a gathering at Chemours Washington Works Wednesday during a ceremony commemorating the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers, used in semiconductors. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“For the security of our nation we need to have the building blocks made here in America.”

He described the Washington Works site as a “national defense jewel.”

It now has fallen to the chemical industry, through Chemours, to produce the raw materials for the superconductors used.

“We need this for the defense of our nation for all critical stuff we need for our defense and our economy,” Manchin said. “When your economy and defense of your nation is depending on it, there has to be an understanding that we have to do this here.

“We need it now more than ever.”

Chemours President and CEO Denise Dignam; U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va.; Gerardo Familiar, President of Advanced Performance Materials for Chemours; and Parkersburg Marietta Building and Construction Trades Council Business Manager Buddy Malone cut the ribbon commemorating the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers at Chemours Washington Works. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

He criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for being too stringent on American companies and creating unrealistic and unattainable standards while other countries have no such oversight and can produce it in mass at a much cheaper price.

He said the U.S. is taking care of environmental issues better than anyone in the world. If the technology existed to do what the environmental officials wanted they would be using it now.

“If it is not feasible, it is not reasonable,” Manchin said. “If there is technology that allows us to do something in a cleaner and better fashion for the environment and I refused to do it then you should shut me down.

“But if there is no technology that gets those metrics, then work with me to get there. You cannot eliminate your way to a cleaner environment.”

Chemours President and CEO Denise Dignam said the production on the new Teflon PFA fluoropolymers began on Sept. 1 at 12:01 a.m. with employees celebrating the moment.

On Wednesday, Chemour officials dedicated the Chemours Joe Manchin III Outdoor STEM Classroom at the Washington Works Nature Trail to recognize Manchin’s longstanding commitment to education and the State of West Virginia. Plant Manager Jim Hollingsworth, Manchin and Chemours President and CEO Denise Dignam did a ribbon cutting. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“It shows the commitment and the pride that this team has for what we are doing here,” she said.

She talked about how important this project is to the state of West Virginia and thanked Manchin for his work in helping get this project together.

“It would not have happened without his help,” Dignam said. “We have gotten unbelievable support from Senator Manchin for this project.

“We want really good paying manufacturing jobs and highly skilled workers.”

Also Wednesday, Chemour officials dedicated the Chemours Joe Manchin III Outdoor STEM Classroom at the Washington Works Nature Trail to recognize his longstanding commitment to education and the State of West Virginia.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., talks with people at Chemours Washington Works during a ceremony commemorating the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers, an advanced material critical to manufacturing semiconductor chips used in phones, computers, automotive electrical systems, defense systems, AI and more. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Manchin talked about the need for West Virginia and American students to get involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

“We don’t advocate it or push it strong in our education system,” he said. “We need more. They recognize that here (at Chemours).

“I am happy to have something named after me that will help educate people so we will have the qualified people, the expertise and the skilled workforce we need right here in West Virginia.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., talks with some of the Board of Directors for Chemours during a ceremony Wednesday at Washington Works to commemorate the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., addresses a gathering at Chemours Washington Works Wednesday during a ceremony commemorating the start of an expanded production line of Teflon fluoropolymers. Chemours is the only site in the United States to make this product. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)