US additives and instruments supplier BYK, which is part of German specialty chemicals group Altana, will invest $50 million to expand its facility in Gonzales, Texas.

BYK is to increase capacities and capabilities for key products in its portfolio, specifically Garamite, which is a range of natural rheology additives. The company explained that Garamite additives have a thickening effect and can replace alternative solutions, for example, in coatings where they can contribute to the lightweight construction of cars, a key trend in the automotive industry where manufacturers are working to cut carbon emissions.

The project includes several upgrades to the site’s infrastructure as well as a new R&D facility to house a global competence center for natural rheology.

BYK is also investing in China, where it broke ground in July on a new facility in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park. The Connecticut-based company is spending more than $30 million on the complex, which will combine R&D, technical service, logistics and administrative functions under one roof, while also forming the basis for a continued expansion in Greater China and the whole Asia-Pacific region.

The facility is scheduled to go into operation in the second half of 2018.