ADVANCED MATERIALS MANUFACTURING
Where materials innovation meets
industrial muscle
industrial muscle
From chemicals and metals to plastics and composites, Virginia pairs advanced materials innovation with the skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, research collaboration, and strategic Mid-Atlantic location manufacturers need to scale. With private industry experience and a strong understanding of the pressures that shape projects, VEDP helps companies move faster by reducing risk, connecting the right partners, and helping navigate the decisions that shape long-term success.
The building blocks for
manufacturing the future
Virginia’s advanced materials community deeply connects manufacturers, research partners, and public-private initiatives to support next-generation production. Companies can collaborate with innovation hubs and manufacturing initiatives, such as the Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials (AM2) Tech Hub, to accelerate development and commercialization — enabling the next generation of aerospace, defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
NanoSonic, Inc., Giles County
A strong foundation
for growth
for growth
Advanced materials manufacturers across Virginia produce the materials that power modern industry. From those with deep roots to new ventures, more than 400 advanced materials companies know that the Commonwealth is where they can locate, grow, and expand for years to come.
A skilled workforce
built for precision manufacturing
A skilled workforce
built for precision manufacturing
Virginia’s workforce is built for advanced manufacturing, with strong technical skills and a focus on precision and quality. Companies benefit from a steady pipeline of engineering talent, experienced manufacturing professionals, and former military servicemembers who bring hands-on expertise to the sector.
26K+
chemical and plastics manufacturing workers in Virginia
Source: JobsEQ 2025Q3
Alchemco Inc., Henrico County
50K+
engineering workforce, 15% higher concentration than U.S. overall
Source: JobsEQ, 2025Q3
DuPont, Chesterfield County
16K+
training program graduates relevant to advanced materials, growing at over 6% annually
Source: JobsEQ 2023-2024
Virginia Tech
From breakthrough materials
to real-world production
to real-world production
Virginia’s advanced materials sector is built to move efficiently. With a strategic East Coast location and a connected supply chain, companies can access raw materials, manufacture products, and deliver them to customers across major industrial corridors from one place.
Interstate 81, Shenandoah County
Advantageous East Coast location
Advantageous East Coast location
Virginia places manufacturers close to major industrial customers across the region. That location advantage helps companies stay near end users, respond to market demand, and serve key regional industries more effectively.
Virginia International Gateway, Portsmouth
Integrated supply chain connectivity
Integrated supply chain connectivity
With access to The Port of Virginia and strong rail and highway networks, companies can move raw resources, intermediate goods, and finished products efficiently. That infrastructure supports smoother logistics and stronger coordination across every stage of production and delivery.
P1 Technologies, Roanoke County
From raw materials to manufacturing inputs
From raw materials to manufacturing inputs
Virginia’s advanced materials sector includes companies across the value chain, from raw materials production and processing to component manufacturing — all within close proximity. That industry depth gives manufacturers access to the materials, expertise, and capabilities needed to support production at scale.
SUCCESS STORIES
Why companies
succeed in Virginia
The LEGO Group, Chesterfield County
We were impressed with all that Virginia has to offer, from access to a skilled workforce, support for high-quality manufacturers, and great transport links. We appreciate support for our ambition to build a carbon-neutral-run facility and construct a solar park and are looking forward to building a great team with support from the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.
TekniPlex Consumer Products (formerly Grupo Phoenix), Pulaski County
[TekniPlex Consumer Products]… chose Virginia due to a variety of factors, including a central location, the ability to negotiate electricity at a competitive rate, access to rail transport, a motivated labor force, support from the local colleges and universities, and the accessibility and unwavering support of the government working with the industry to create jobs.
STIHL Inc., Virginia Beach
For nearly 50 years, the City of Virginia Beach has created an ideal environment for STIHL to grow our business and offer meaningful careers. We are incredibly proud to expand our manufacturing operations to fulfill the increased demands of our more than 10,000 loyal STIHL Dealers and their customers nationwide.
densest interstate and rail freight network in the Southeastern United States, with access to more than 180 intermodal facilities
Source: Federal Highway Administration, 2023; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2024
major manufacturers within a day's drive from central Virginia
Source: Dun and Bradstreet, VEDP analysis
invested by more than 150 advanced materials manufacturing companies in Virginia in the last 10 years
Source: VEDP Announcements Database
Built for industrial
connectivity & reach
Advanced materials manufacturers in Virginia benefit from a location and transportation network built to support industrial growth. Dense freight connections, proximity to major manufacturers, and access to key markets help companies move efficiently, stay connected across the supply chain, and plan for long-term investment.
What’s new
Solstice Advanced Materials Invests $220+ Million in Chesterfield Facility
Investment to create 100 new jobs at ballistic fiber production plant
An expert partner dedicated to your success
We work alongside your team as a consultative partner, helping you reduce risk, align the right stakeholders, and move advanced materials projects forward with greater speed and confidence. That support doesn’t stop once a project lands here. Our dedicated regional teams continue helping companies navigate evolving needs in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
Talent strategy & workforce solutions
Build the workforce you need with support for hiring, training, and long-term pipeline development. We help connect you to universities, community colleges, training partners, and experienced military talent to support both immediate needs and future growth.
Real estate advisory
Compare sites with guidance grounded in your project requirements, from utilities and acreage to transportation access and facility needs. We help you evaluate options, reduce unknowns, and make site decisions with a clearer path to execution.
Partner coordination & ecosystem development
Connect with the state, local, utility, education, and industry partners who can help keep your project moving. We help you coordinate across those systems to avoid bottlenecks, increase speed to market, and position advanced materials companies for long-term success.
Meet your industry experts & partners
Mike helps drive advanced materials growth in Virginia, connecting companies to the ecosystem, industry partnerships, and market opportunities that support long-term investment.
Justin Johnson works with companies in the advanced materials sector to evaluate how Virginia supports their operations and growth. His role focuses on guiding companies through key considerations such as site selection, workforce availability, and long-term planning.
Antje advises international companies on how best to expand operations into the U.S. in general and Virginia in particular, providing expert guidance on key topics, from site selection to tax incentives. She oversees VEDP’s offices in Europe, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
NanoSonic, Inc., Giles County
Explore Virginia’sadvanced materials advantage
Take a closer look at what makes Virginia competitive for advanced materials manufacturing — from skilled talent and strong infrastructure to supply chain connectivity and a growing ecosystem across the Commonwealth.
“Virginia is the ideal location to expand our facilities due to its proximity to customers, allowing us to conveniently serve them and to position the Gordonsville and Rural Retreat sites as Centers of Excellence for the company.”
Latest news in advanced materials manufacturing
It Happened Here First
Solstice Advanced Materials Invests $220+ Million in Chesterfield Facility
Bespoke Training for Emerging Workforce Needs
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Civica Rx expanded into Virginia in 2021, building a sterile injectable drug manufacturing facility in Petersburg. The company turned to the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program to fill approximately 300 positions.
LS Cable & System USA Announces $689 Million Investment in Chesapeake
