This article is brought to you by Cornerstone Chemical Co.
Cornerstone Chemical Company, LLC, a fixture of industry and community life in Waggaman for more than 70 years, is helping to usher in a new chapter of energy innovation and economic development in Jefferson Parish. Through continued modernization of the Cornerstone Energy Park (CEP) and major new investments from companies that share its commitment to safety, sustainability and long-term growth, the site is emerging as one of the Gulf Coast’s most important hubs for advanced manufacturing.
This transition will be especially visible in the coming months as UBE C1 Chemicals America (UCCA) begins the next phase of construction on a $500 million production facility inside CEP. The project will establish the first reliable U.S. supply of critical components used in energy storage systems — materials essential to building a more sustainable national energy future.
“This is an exciting time for Cornerstone Energy Park as we continue to forge partnerships focused on creating a sustainable future for the site,” said Jacques Byrd, Cornerstone Vice President of Site Development. “Please pardon our progress as we work to construct this vital facility and transition the Cornerstone Energy Park for a sustainable future.”
To construct the new facility efficiently and responsibly, UCCA is employing modular construction, a method increasingly used in advanced manufacturing projects around the world. In modular construction, equipment is built in smaller components off-site, transported by barge, and then assembled on location.
“Think of modular construction as putting together the pieces of a puzzle,” said UCCA President and CEO Tom Yura. “The pieces are built elsewhere, and the puzzle is assembled on-site. It’s a smarter way to build because it minimizes disruption to the community and reduces the duration of construction.”
These pre-built modules offer multiple advantages: improved efficiency and reduced construction time. To transport the equipment from shipping barges to the CEP construction site, crews will move the modules over River Road using a temporary heavy-haul bridge.
UCCA has selected Morimatsu, a contractor with more than 20 years of global experience moving modular components using hydraulic systems. “Morimatsu brings valuable knowledge and experience to assure project safety and efficiency,” Yura said.
As the modular equipment arrives and is transported onto the site, residents should expect intermittent road closures along River Road. Installation of the temporary bridge will be completed in early to mid-December. Shortly after, the modules will begin crossing the temporary bridge into CEP.
Temporary road closures are scheduled to begin in early December and last through February, when the temporary bridge is expected to be fully deconstructed. Until then, periodic road closures, typically lasting less than one hour, will occur outside of peak travel times.
“We are working with local authorities to help keep the community informed on River Road traffic conditions throughout the construction process,” said Ainslie Blanke, Cornerstone’s senior marketing and communications advisor. “Thank you for your patience as we make Jefferson Parish one of the country’s leaders in sustainable energy.”
Cornerstone and UCCA are coordinating with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jefferson Parish Levee District and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to ensure all work is completed safely and efficiently.
Cornerstone Energy Park has grown into a multimillion-dollar industrial campus and is home to several companies that operate both independently and collaboratively. The shared focus aims to produce essential materials, support local jobs and prepare Louisiana’s petrochemical sector for a more sustainable future.
The UCCA facility represents the first U.S. production of its kind and deepens Jefferson Parish’s role as a location of choice for energy-forward projects. With sustainability top of mind, CEP and its site companies continue to upgrade technology and strengthen environmental stewardship.
“CEP is focused on transitioning the site for the future,” Byrd said. “The companies on our site share a commitment to safety, health and the environment. That unity is key to building long-term growth.”
As construction accelerates, the UCCA facility stands as both an industrial milestone and a signal of what’s to come: more green-energy jobs, enhanced manufacturing capacity and a stronger local economy built on innovation. And, with decades of history and major projects pointing to a cleaner, more resilient future, Cornerstone Energy Park remains a vital pillar of Jefferson Parish’s industrial landscape.
Anyone wishing to receive alerts regarding the temporary River Road closures and other CEP site activities can sign up for direct notifications at https://cornerstonechemco.com/operational-excellence. For more information about UCCA, visit www.ube.com/c1chemicals or use the company’s contact form: https://ube.com/Inquiry/Form/InquiryC1ChemicalsEnAgree.