Chemours Washington Works produces products people use in their every day lives. (Photo Provided)

WASHINGTON — Chemours Washington Works, formally known as DuPont Washington Works, has been in production since 1948 and has brought thousands of jobs to the area.

Washington Works sits on 1,250 acres in Wood County, along the Ohio River. The worksite and community, located about seven miles outside of Parkersburg, was named after George Washington, who received the land as part of a 1772 military land grant.

DuPont announced the separation of its performance chemicals division in 2015, creating Chemours. Washington Works has been a part of Chemours since its creation as an independent company and serves as its largest manufacturing site.

Chemours produces products that are used in everyday life.

“We principally produce a variety of fluoropolymer products and advanced materials that are used in cell phones, computers, data centers, cars, communications systems, medical devices, energy applications and many more areas,” said Lisa Randall, regional communications lead. “We are the only U.S. manufacturer of a fluoropolymer that is critical to semiconductor manufacturing — helping produce those microchips that are used in a wide array of technologies.”

Chemours isn’t the only company that manufactures everyday products on the site.

“We have several long term land leases with other companies on site that allow us to share some services and utilities,” said Randall.

Companies that are incorporated into the site include Kuraray America and Celanese Corporation, said Randall. Kuraray joined the site in 2014 and produces products used in safety glasses, architecture and the automotive industry. Celanese produces differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries. It completed its purchase of DuPont’s Mobility and Materials division in November 2022.

Along with Washington Works, Chemours owns a neighboring wildlife habitat and nature trail area, and Blennerhassett Island.

“There are more than 700 acres on the site, with approximately 175 dedicated to manufacturing and 98 designated as a wildlife habitat area, where our nature trail system is,” said Randall.

The wildlife habitat dates back to 1988 when an employee team began supporting a bluebird nesting habitat on the property and leading roadside litter clean-ups, said Randall. The area recently received a gold certification award by the Wildlife Habitat Council.

“Chemours’ nature trail system has evolved to a community effort and space that all community members can enjoy,” said Randall. “Many Eagle Scouts have performed part of their final projects building and maintaining trails here. Local K-12 schools have all participated in a broad variety of programs from simple observations to nature studies identifying native species of flora and fauna, including osprey, eastern bluebird, white-tail deer, native grasses and the nearly-extinct American chestnut tree.”

In addition, Chemours owns Blennerhassett Island in the Ohio River and leases the property to the state of West Virginia for $1 per year, said Randall. The state park has more than 375 acres and is visited by 40,000 people each year.