Savannah, GA (March 19, 2013) – Choate Construction Company will begin construction of a state-of-the-art science and technology expansion for Arizona Chemical’s Savannah campus in March 2013.  The single story building with an elevated mechanical penthouse area totals 23,269 SF, is located on a 6.6 acre site and is designed to complement existing campus architecture and have the look and feel of an inviting laboratory.

Unlike conventional labs, Arizona Chemical’s space will bring the outdoors inside with its panoramic windows and nature-hued finishes.  The self-contained research lab will be separated from the modular office space by an interior glass wall, allowing for significant daylighting.  Adjacent to the lab space will be a lab support area including an Oven Room, Freezer Room, Constant Temperature and Humidity Room, and storage.  Mechanical, electrical and life Safety systems will accommodate the advanced technology and science performed within the building.

“This is an incredible project to be a part of, particularly because it brings more jobs in a highly-advanced field to Savannah,” said William Millard Choate, President of Choate Construction Company.  “Choate is honored to have been selected for this project.”

The Savannah Science & Technology Center currently employs 51 chemists, director of Science & Technology for Arizona Chemical in Savannah, Paul Williams said, and eventually expects to hire between 10 and 20 more.  The company has more than 200 employees in Savannah.

This project is scheduled for completion by December 2013.  The project manager is Jones Lang LaSalle and the project is designed by Perkins + Will.

About Choate Construction 

As one of the largest general contractors in the southeast, Choate Construction Company considers its reputation to be its number one asset with its future success founded upon the strength of its customer relationships.  Choate Construction excels in both base and interior construction with office locations in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Savannah.  Choate strives to lead the industry in financially viable, functional solutions and continually invests in the tools to do so, promoting advances in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, LEED® Rating system and Risk Mitigation.

About Arizona Chemical

Arizona Chemical is the world’s leading bio-refiner of pine chemicals for the adhesives, inks and coatings, lubricants, fuel additives, mining and oleochemicals markets. With more than 1,100 employees and nine state-of-the-art refineries in six countries on both sides of the Atlantic, Arizona Chemical provides sustainable raw materials to hundreds of companies and, in-turn, to millions of consumers all around the world.

About Arizona Chemical Savannah

Arizona Chemical’s Savannah Plant is the world’s largest crude tall oil bio-refinery. Derived from the kraft pulp and paper-making process, crude tall oil is fractionated into a variety of raw materials that are commonly used in the adhesive industry. The company’s Savannah Science & Technology Center serves as the North American base for product development and technical service for the adhesive industry and the other markets supplied by Arizona Chemical.